Picture a Belfast-born storyteller who weaves gothic chills with heartfelt human truths—meet C.J. Cooke! Also known as Carolyn Jess-Cooke, this award-winning author and academic crafts novels that pulse with suspense and poetry that captures the soul. From her internationally bestselling gothic thrillers to her groundbreaking Stay-at-Home! Literary Festival, Cooke’s work invites readers into haunting, unforgettable worlds.
With her PhD from Queen’s University Belfast and a career spanning academia and fiction, Cooke blends scholarly depth with spellbinding narratives. Her stories, published in 23 languages, explore themes like motherhood, trauma, and memory, earning her a devoted global following. Ready to dive into her mesmerizing universe? Let’s explore!
The Making of C.J. Cooke
Born Carolyn Jess-Cooke in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on August 26, 1978, Cooke grew up amid the Troubles, a turbulent backdrop that shaped her storytelling. Writing from age seven, she typed manuscripts on her grandparents’ old typewriter, sending them to publishers with notes scrawled on school paper. Her academic journey took her to Queen’s University, where she earned a BA, MA, and PhD by 25. Initially a film studies lecturer at the University of Sunderland, she published works on Shakespeare and cinema before embracing creative writing full-time.
By 2009, Cooke joined the University of Northumbria as a senior lecturer, but in 2011, she left to focus on writing. Now a Reader in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, she researches how writing can aid mental health, a passion that threads through her work and community initiatives.
C.J. Cooke’s Unforgettable Stories
Cooke’s novels, often published as C.J. Cooke, blend gothic thriller and psychological suspense with feminist undertones. Her 2020 novel, The Nesting, a chilling tale set in Norway, explores grief and survival, earning praise for its atmospheric depth. The Lighthouse Witches (2021), an international bestseller, intertwines witchcraft and time-bending mysteries, nominated for an Edgar Award and optioned for a StudioCanal TV series. The Ghost Woods (2022), an Indigo Book of the Year, delves into eerie folklore, while A Haunting in the Arctic (2023) crafts suspense in Iceland’s frozen wilderness.
Her poetry, including collections like Inroads (2010), which won an Eric Gregory Award, and BOOM!, reflects her experiences of motherhood and trauma. Cooke’s style is lyrical yet accessible, with vivid settings and complex characters that linger long after the final page. Her ability to fuse scholarly insight with gripping narratives sets her apart in contemporary fiction.
Beyond novels and poetry, Cooke’s academic works, like Writing Motherhood: A Creative Anthology (2017), explore how motherhood shapes women’s creativity, a project she led from 2013 to 2018. Her fiction often carries this feminist lens, celebrating resilience in the face of adversity.
Why C.J. Cooke Matters
C.J. Cooke’s impact transcends her books. As founder of the Stay-at-Home! Literary Festival in 2020, she brought together thousands online during the pandemic, championing accessible, eco-friendly literature. The festival, featuring hundreds of writers, showcased her commitment to inclusivity and connectivity. At the University of Glasgow, her research on creative writing’s therapeutic potential is pioneering, offering new ways to address mental health through storytelling.
Her gothic thrillers have redefined the genre, blending folklore with modern anxieties, while her poetry and advocacy amplify marginalized voices, particularly women’s. Cooke’s work resonates globally, from Belfast to bookshops worldwide, proving stories can heal, inspire, and unite.
- Born: August 26, 1978, Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Key Works: The Lighthouse Witches, The Nesting, Inroads, Writing Motherhood
- Awards: Eric Gregory Award, Northern Writers Award (three times), Tyrone Guthrie Prize
- Fun Fact: Her public art, a poem etched in steel, spans half a mile in Roseberry Park mental health hospital.
Snag The Lighthouse Witches and dive into C.J. Cooke’s spellbinding gothic world—your next favorite read awaits!