I am a novelist, short fiction writer, poet, magazine editor and literary blogger. ✒️📚 I’m one half of a literary couple with my writer-poet hubby, Joseph Robert. We also have a lively literary tot keeping us busy; a voracious reader of dinosaur board books. 👨‍👩‍👦

Follow me at:

Instagram (@leilaniestewartauthor)

Facebook (@Leilanie StewartandJosephRobertwriters) 

Facebook (@leilaniestewartauthor)

Twitter (@leilaniestewart)

Goodreads

Bookbub

My publications at a glance:

My online shop Meandi Books

My debut novel Gods of Avalon Road

My debut poetry collection A Model Archaeologist

My novella Zombie Reflux

My magazine publications

            

When I started writing:

I started writing poetry and short stories when I was a child growing up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. My first poem was published in the Write and Shine Regional Anthology 1995 when I was 14.

            

Writing influences:

During my undergraduate days, I studied Archaeology and Palaeoecology. After graduating I worked as a professional Field Archaeologist in 2002 and 2003. My choice of career inspired my work and I have incorporated elements of it into my writing since; my debut novel, Gods of Avalon Road, (Blossom Spring Publishing, 2019) is an urban fantasy that takes place in modern day London with historical flashbacks to Iron Age Britain. In addition, my debut poetry pamphlet collection, A Model Archaeologist (Eyewear Publishing, 2015) is a series of lyrical anecdotes reflecting on my Archaeology career and I have also published a satirical novella, Zombie Reflux (Meandi Books, 2014) with archaeological themes and elements of horror.

Other influences:

In 2003, after working for over a year as an Archaeologist in Northern Ireland, I moved to Japan to teach English for 4 years. This career change kick-started my writing which was in a 2 year hiatus. I found that by teaching English grammar to students and by learning to speak Japanese at the same time, I was able to look at language more objectively, which helped my creativity. I also began publishing travel writing pieces in Nova City magazine, during 2004 and again in 2006. My novel, which was inspired by my experience of living and travelling in Japan – The Buddha’s Bone – is due for publication on 25th October 2021. It’s now available for pre-order at Amazon.com, Amazon UK and other major online bookstores.

            

Poetry scene:

After I moved back to the UK in 2007, I lived in Cambridge. Around 2009, I began publishing my stories and poetry in print and online journals and anthologies in the UK and US. I have also performed my poetry on shows such as 209 Radio Cambridgeshire and at spoken word events in Cambridge. I continued promoting my work by moving to London in 2010 and getting involved in the poetry scene, through the Poetry Society and promotional events organised by my publisher, Eyewear Books.

            

Creative writing mentoring:

In addition to writing and promoting my own work, I ran creative writing workshops for gifted and talented young people between the ages of 12 and 19 in secondary schools in South and West London (2011 to 2016). After 6 years in London, I moved back home for a quieter literary life.

            

Running Bindweed Magazine: 

Joseph Robert and I currently live in Belfast where we jointly run Bindweed Magazine.

            

Current projects:

I’m currently writing novel WIP 4, which is a supernatural thriller/ psychological horror. At the request of a few readers who have been in touch, I’ve also outlined a sequel for Gods of Avalon Road, which is novel WIP 5.

            

News/ media coverage:

Leilanie Stewart interviewed for Bindweed Magazine on Six Questions For (July 2016)

Leilanie Stewart Author interview by David Ellis on Too Full to Write (July 2017)

Leilanie Stewart and Joseph Robert interviewed for Bindweed Magazine on Lagan Online

            

Leilanie’s author profile information:

Write Out Loud author profile

Author Central profile USA/ profile UK