About the Author

J L Givens with her 3 Children, in their home town of Renfrew Spring 2026

About J L Givens

Stories have always been part of who I am.

Long before I became an author, poet, playwright or coach, I simply loved stories.

I loved them as a child, and later as a big sister. Some of my happiest memories are of reading to my younger brother, who is eight years younger than me. Years later, I found myself sharing stories again with younger cousins who grew up alongside my eldest child.

When I became a mother, stories became woven into everyday life. I read and sang to each of my babies while they were still growing beneath my heart. Language, rhythm and storytelling have always felt like home to me.

The only thing that never judged me was my pen.

At school, I was often told I was overbearing.

My English teachers would praise my work, impressed by my ideas and creativity, only to remind me that I had once again written far more than was required. More than once, I lost marks for being too long-winded.

These days, that makes me laugh.

Because while the world occasionally asked me to be quieter, shorter, smaller or more concise, my pen never did.

Writing has always been the place where I could take up as much space as I needed.

I am an avid diary keeper and lifelong journal writer. My notebooks are filled with thoughts, intentions, poems, observations and reflections. Writing has become one of the ways I process the complexity of life and make sense of the emotions that come with it.

A family of storytellers

One of the greatest joys of my life is watching a love of language grow in my children.

My eldest son plans to pursue music, but he has always excelled in English. His essays are among my favourite things to read. Both of my eldest children have written school papers about why their mum inspires them, and those pieces remain some of the most humbling gifts I have ever received.

My middle child loves writing scripts and short stories, while my youngest, at just four years old, is already eager to learn her Jolly Phonics and discover the magic hidden inside words.

During lockdown, I taught my middle child to read before they started school. Since then, they have become an enthusiastic reader and writer, and watching that journey unfold has been incredibly special.

Poetry found me when I needed it most.

Whenever life brings emotional turmoil, I return to pen and paper.

Writing has always been my refuge.

In 2025, poetry came flooding out of me. What began as a way of processing experiences soon became hundreds of poems. There were enough words to create one enormous collection, but instead I found myself categorising them into different themes and genres.

Today, poetry is part of my daily creative discipline.

I write every day.

Sometimes I write what I feel.
Sometimes I write what I know.
Sometimes I write because inspiration appears unexpectedly and demands to be listened to.

The stories behind the stories

People often ask where my book ideas come from.

The truth is that every title has its own curious and meaningful story behind it. Each character arrives with their own personality, lessons and purpose, and I never tire of talking about the inspiration behind them.

Whether it's a misunderstood Christmas elf, a circus adventure, a historical tale inspired by the Paisley Witch Trials, or poetry exploring healing and identity, every piece of work begins with a spark of curiosity.

Where you'll usually find me

When I'm not writing, you'll often find me sitting in a café watching the world go by.

I love spending time in nature, listening to birdsong in the park and writing outdoors whenever the Scottish weather allows it.

Some of my favourite writing happens beside a loch after a cold-water dip, with a notebook nearby and a head full of thoughts.

Most importantly, I love spending time with my children, my partner, and my two cats, Storm and Shadow.

The people who make this possible

One of the greatest privileges of this journey has been meeting people.

Whether it's at a festival, book signing, poetry reading, workshop or community event, I am always deeply moved by those who take the time to stop, talk and share a piece of their story with me.

I treasure those conversations.

Every person I meet teaches me something. Every reader, listener, supporter and fellow creative leaves an impression.

You inspire me more than you'll ever know.

You are one of the reasons I continue to write, create and keep showing up.

A final thought

At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief:

Stories help us understand ourselves and each other.

Whether through children's books, poetry, spoken word, coaching, theatre or the Society of Tiny Wonders, my hope is always the same:

To leave people feeling a little less alone, a little more understood, and perhaps a little more hopeful than when they arrived.

Frequently asked questions

People often ask about my writing, publishing journey, characters, poetry and creative process. Here are some of the questions I get asked most often at book signings, festivals, poetry events and author talks. Here are my top 4 most asked questions.

My advice is simple: write the book.

The first step is always putting words on the page.

However, if your goal is publication, it's important to understand that writing a book and becoming a successful author are two very different things. Publishing, marketing, editing, networking, events, building an audience and learning your craft all require time, effort and often financial investment.

I don't believe in uploading unchecked work and expecting overnight success. Being an author is a profession, and like any profession it requires dedication, resilience and a willingness to keep learning.

The good news? Every published author started with a blank page.

Most of my stories begin with something personal.

Finding Twinkle's Gift and much of my poetry are rooted in my own experiences and observations of the world.

Several of my children's books were inspired by my own children, their personalities, experiences and the lessons they've taught me.

The Witch & The Snitch grew from my lifelong fascination with the Paisley Witch Trials and local Renfrewshire history.

I think the best stories often start with curiosity — a question, a feeling, a memory or a moment that refuses to leave you alone.

Yes. My books are published through my own independent publishing company.

What began as a way to bring my own stories into the world has grown into something much bigger. Alongside publishing my own children's books and poetry collections, I am now beginning to publish the work of other writers through my company.

I currently accept a limited number of submissions each year, focusing on:

Picture books
Poetry collections
Literature and creative writing

To ensure each project receives the time, care and attention it deserves, submissions are limited to a maximum of four projects per year.

As both an author and publisher, I have a deep appreciation for the amount of work that goes into creating a book. Writing may begin the journey, but editing, design, illustration, production, distribution and marketing are all part of transforming a manuscript into a book that readers can hold in their hands.

I am passionate about supporting meaningful storytelling and helping writers bring their work into the world with care, professionalism and creativity.

I get asked this surprisingly often, and my answer is always the same:

No — if I were to compare my work to anyone, it would be Julia Donaldson rather than J.K. Rowling.

My creative discipline is not children's fantasy novels or young adult fiction. My passion lies in picture books, poetry, storytelling, emotional wellbeing, and creating stories that help people feel seen and understood.

Julia Donaldson has long been one of my biggest inspirations. I admire her ability to tackle meaningful themes through accessible stories, memorable characters, and a genuine love of language.

My own work focuses on inclusion, kindness, belonging, emotional literacy, and helping readers of all ages understand themselves and others a little better.

If I'm remembered for anything, I hope it won't be for becoming "the next" anyone.

I'd much rather be remembered for being the first J L Givens.