Oldham author Jacqueline scoops two book deals in one month

Oldham-born author Jacqueline Ward spent the Covid-19 lockdown writing - and her hard work has paid off in the form of two book deals for five books.

Jacqueline wrote 'The Replacement', where a woman receives a message from her ex-husband’s new wife asking for help in the early days of lockdown.

This, and two psychological thriller titles yet to be written, were snapped up by Bloodhound Books - recently acquired by US media giant Open Road Media - for publication in April 2023.

Set around Oldham, Manchester and Uppermill, the thriller is written in the space between a marriage crumbling and both partners moving on - and the extremities of behaviour the accompanying feelings can cause.

Writing as Jax Ward, Jacqueline will see her uplifting comedy novel, 'Teenage Kicks', published on March 8, 2023.

The novel, to be published by Spellbound Books along with a second title in 2024, is set in the Northern Quarter of Manchester around the iconic Castle pub, and spans the Manchester punk scene in 1978 and today as Kaye and her friend Janet search for Kaye’s lead-singer sister, Stella but find much, much more.

The central theme is about friendship and that sometimes friends are the family we choose for ourselves.

10% of all royalties for this novel will go to Manchester homeless charity Coffee4Craig.

After growing up in Oldham, Jacqueline worked full-time and studied for a PhD while a single-parent of three children, and now has an MBE and is CEO of a charity dealing with high hazard safety.

Writing fiction for most of her life, her novels 'Perfect Ten' and 'How to Play Dead', focusing on gas lighting and revenge, received national reviews and were stocked by most major supermarkets and bookshops.

A registered Health Psychologist, Jacqueline writes widely about psychology and storytelling.

Jacqueline won US writing competition Kindle Scout in 2015, which kick-started her writing career and subsequently had a crime series published.

She also writes short stories and screenplays.

Jacqueline said: "I loved writing these books.

"I am deeply in love with both Manchester and music.

"I have always wanted to play homage to the halcyon days of pub bands and small venues.

"I hope Teenage Kicks recaptures those times and more.

"The Replacement is darker and more sinister, and I hope it really captures how decisions we make under pressure can come back to haunt us later.

"Two very different books.

"I am delighted they will both be published next year."

Teenage Kicks will be available in various formats on March 8, 2023 and The Replacement will be published in April, 2023, with a further title to come from Bloodhound Books in August, 2023.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.