A former teacher turned author has just released her latest Roman mystery book.
59-year-old Fiona Forsyth from Winwick was a teacher at Manchester Grammar School where she specialised in Latin, Greek, and ancient history.
Fiona also ran the school bookshop and describes her 25 years there as “the most marvellous job.”
She began writing when she moved to Qatar nine years ago, with her husband, Stuart, and daughter, Miranda.
She said: “I thought to myself, this is my chance to write. I had always wanted to write, and now I had the time to do so.”
After six and a half years in Qatar, Fiona moved back to Winwick and has continued writing ever since, having had six novels published by Sharpe Books.
All of her books are set in Ancient Rome, with her most recent crime novel, Death and the Poet, telling the story of murder and corruption at the top of Rome’s government.
Fiona said: “When I was six years old, I remember reading my first Greek myth – Theseus and the Minotaur.
“Ever since then, I have read everything I possibly could about the Greeks and Romans.
“In this country, we have such great Roman heritage. I think people find it fascinating, and of course, Warrington was a big Roman settlement.”
Fiona’s book includes a series of puzzles and mysteries, following the disgraced Roman poet Ovid as he investigates a death in the Black Sea town of Tomis.
Once Fiona finishes the Ovid series, she plans to write a non-fiction book about the Ides of March, a day in the ancient Roman calendar associated with misfortune and doom.
When asked what advice she would give to budding authors, Fiona said: “Write every day if you can. Don’t worry about the quality – just write.
“Only write what you enjoy creating and join a writers’ group.
“Writers’ groups are wonderfully supportive places where you’ll get all the encouragement that you need.
“You can write for your own pleasure, for your mental health, or just because you want to.
“Don’t feel that there is just one path that you have to take.”
Fiona is part of a local writers’ group herself, with participants from across Warrington. They are planning a day of crime writing workshops at Warrington Library to coincide with the National Crime Reading Month in June.
(Image: Death and the Poet)
Fiona praised the library for being a supportive community hub for Warrington residents.
Fiona’s book is available at Forget Me Not Toys and Books in Culcheth or on Amazon, at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F1ZC7M1Y/.
