Sarah Tinsley

Sarah Tinsley grew up in Cornwall but isn't any good at surfing. She's a proud working-class writer who amplifies marginalised voices and issues in her writing. Her first novel, The Shadows We Cast, is written in dual narrative, revealing the inner thoughts of both the victim and the perpetrator of a sexual assault. It’s a dark novel which unsettles ideas about victims and villains. It won the Spread The Word/Bookouture Prize in 2020 and was long listed for the Laxfield Literary Agency Award.

Sarah’s short fiction has been published widely, including in Mslexia and Litro. She came third in the Bristol Short Story Prize 2021, was long listed for the Primadonna Prize in 2020 and won the Segoria International Short Story Prize in 2015. She has an MA in Creative Writing from City University.

Sarah is passionate about promoting diverse writers. She’s the Director of Write By You, a company that runs writing workshops and coaching for young, female, diverse writers in the UK. She also provides resources, workshops, courses and coaching and feedback services to writers. Her focus is on helping others find the unique voice we all possess, and fitting creativity into even the busiest of lives.

Sarah loves books that make her think and are beautifully written. Her favourites include Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell, How To Be Both by Ali Smith and anything by Margaret Atwood. Her other interests include running, art in its many forms, travel and food, especially cheese and wine. You can start a conversation with her by discussing your favourite feminist, TV series or red wine.