Sarah Driver

I grew up by the sea in Sussex and have been making up stories for as long as I can remember. My favourite books as a child were fantastical tales like Spellhorn by Berlie Doherty, the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis and the Carbonel books by Barbara Sleigh, as well as stories by Roald Dahl, Joan Aiken and Frances Hodgson Burnett.

I've always listened out for the whispers of dark tales and strange creatures, waiting to be discovered, just beyond the realms of what can be seen. I graduated from the Bath Spa MA in Writing for Young People in 2015, after winning the 2014 United Agents prize for ‘most promising writer’. When I'm not writing I can be found working part time in the NHS or hunting for stories by travelling, going to exhibitions or walking by the sea. I have learned that even horrifying bouts of sea-sickness make excellent research material.

Dreamstalkers: The Night Train is my latest book, releasing on February 1st 2024. It is the first in a new middle grade fantasy-adventure duology and tells the story of Bea Grimspuddle and Pip, an owl who smells like butter and candle smoke. In the world of Hirathorn, Bea lives in the remote wilds of a rugged moorland settlement called Thunderheart Tor. She longs to become a mage, riding off on adventures, with the power to use wild magic. Instead, she is taught that all the magic of Hirathorn resides exclusively with the elites in the faraway city of Silvervein. Everything changes when the dreams disappear, strange shadows are glimpsed, and nightmares come walking. Then the Night Train steams across the moors, and Bea is swept into an adventure in the world of the Dreamstalkers.

The Huntress Trilogy is a fantasy trilogy that follows the adventures of thirteen-year-old Mouse as she navigates the magical, dangerous world of Trianukka - where the skies are ruled by vicious terrodyls and the seas creep with gulpers and merwraiths. The books have now also been published in Italy, Germany, France and Romania.

Once We Were Witches is a middle grade fantasy duology which follows Spel Wrythe and her sister Egg, who grow up in Mistress Mouldheels' School for Wicked Girls believing they are the daughters of criminals. Learning the truth will lead them on an adventure to a strange funeral parlour guarding even more secrets. Once We Were Witches is also available as a set of audio books.

You can follow me on X @thesarahdriver or find me on Instagram @sarah_driver_author.

Profile photo credit to Lauren Psyk.