Jacqueline Day

I’m a bad person, I haven’t updated the blog for so long, but you know…. life and stuff!

Life
Well, I fled my NHS medical PA role back in May 2025 after twelve years in post, stressed to the gills, determined to save my own life (melodramatic, I know, but I was ready to explode or implode, not sure which, but it was going to be messy). Overall I’ve done about thirty-five years in the NHS, from London to Edinburgh and back again, and since covid had its wicked way with the world, it’s just not been the same. Everyone’s angry, exhausted or dazed, or, if they’re really unlucky, all three. My heart goes out to the wonderful colleagues I’ve left behind. Of course this means I’m poor now, but only financially – in mental welfare and quality of life, I’m rolling in it! Huzzah!! 😃

Slate Heart (new name, might change again, who knows?!)

Slate Heart is a powerful, atmospheric historical drama steeped in the rugged beauty and industrial grit of 19th-century North Wales. The narrative captures the raw, earthy reality of farm life and the slate quarries, contrasting it with the stifling, polished confinement of domestic service. It is a story of visceral passion, simmering resentments, and deep-seated family secrets, following Lowri’s tumultuous journey from a resentful girl to a resilient woman. The tone is both intimate and sweeping, grounding an epic emotional landscape in the tangible textures of slate dust, sea salt, and Welsh soil.

First draft completed, editorially assessed, rewrite completed, ignored for several months because at that point I just couldn’t see the words any more (!), re-read with fresh eyes, rejigged, now submitted to a different and rather marvellous editor for further assessment. I have great faith in this lovely editor who I’ve worked with on my second novel (see below), her wise words helping to bring it up to submission standard.

Editorial assessment report due back late Feb or thereabouts.

Nina Gander Duck or Panda

A mature woman’s determination to hold onto her space and independence leads her to enjoy a physical relationship on her own terms, but when she becomes the only witness in a suspicious death, the carefully curated divides between her personal and professional personas are threatened and she is forced to confront who she really is without the masks. A contemporary tale told with warmth, honesty and humour.

This is the women’s fiction novel I wrote alongside Slate Heart. It provided a bit of light relief on the writing front, definitely easier and quicker to write because I didn’t have to account for historical accuracy. I actually know about the here & now without having to think too much, on the whole.

It went through the same process as Slate Heart, then it overtook Slate Heart, and is currently under consideration with a literary agent. Cross fingers for me please!

So – there you have it, all of it, whether you want it or not. Thanks for sticking with me. Have a biscuit by way of reward🍪x