Sarah Jackman is a novelist and short story writer. She was born in Berlin and has lived in England, Wales, Germany and France. She has moved home nearly thirty times, staying sometimes for a few months, never more than 10 years in one place.
Sarah studied French and German at university choosing a literature-based degree to assuage her thirst and passion for reading. Being a writer never seemed a possibility open to her until she discovered that reading novels by Margaret Drabble had become more vital than revising for final year exams.
With a renewed love for the English language, Sarah started to write fiction in private, not revealing her work for several years. In 2005, Sarah signed the first of two two-book contracts with Simon & Schuster UK and the publication of her debut novel coincided with a move to south Wales.
Sarah has published four well-received novels with Simon & Schuster UK: Summer Circles (2010), Never Stop Looking (2009), The Other Lover (2007), Laughing As They Chased Us (2005). A Large Print Edition of Summer Circles was published by Ulverscroft Foundation in 2012 and her short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies.
Sarah was awarded a Writer’s Bursary from Literature Wales in 2006 and in 2010 was one of their Writers in Residence. In 2012 one of her short stories was selected for the 25th anniversary anthology of the award-winning independent publisher, Honno and she appeared as a guest speaker at the inaugural Dinefwr Literature Festival that year. She is a member of the Society of Authors.
In Wales, Sarah combined her writing career alongside leading numerous creative projects for the visual arts organisation, Swansea Print Workshop whose work is held in all UK and Ireland National Libraries collections and is exhibited internationally. Sarah edited a number of accompanying art publications including Dylan Thomas Dialogues (2014) in celebration of the centenary of the poet’s birth and People and Printmaking – 15 Years (2015) showcasing 50 fine art printmakers. This publication marked the end of Sarah’s 10 years’ association with the arts organisation and a move to England.
Sarah’s fascination for the messiness and difficulties of contemporary life and personal relationships often illuminates the other, darker side of ourselves and society of today. She may draw us into a precarious world of loss, grief and betrayal but her compassion and belief in her characters’ capacity to overcome is unwavering. It is this humanity, hope and celebration of the times we live in which marks Sarah’s writing out.
sarah jackman 