Stevie Henden
From the vibrant, pulsing heart of 1989's London club scene to the tranquil quiet of the East Sussex High Weald, my life has been a journey of contrasts. My roots are in Kent and Surrey, and I spent many happy years in Dulwich, South London. But the call of a more naturalistic life style, and a deeper connection to the countryside led my husband, Neil, and I to relocate during the pandemic. For 35 years, we’ve built a life together, exploring the world, with a special fondness for Argentina, and creating homes that reflect our shared passions.
I’m a devoted cat person and a nature lover, and I find a profound sense of purpose in my spiritualist beliefs, which centre on the interconnectedness of all life and communication with the spirit world. This perspective coexists with the energy of my past—the memories of living for house music and nights spent at iconic clubs like Heaven, Chemistry, and Trade, where I forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
My writing is where these diverse life experiences converge. It's a wonderful outlet for my creativity and a way to explore the complex themes that fascinate me.
My first novel, The Lost Boy, the Doodlebug, and the Mysterious Number 80, is a mind-bending time-travel gay love story. It delves into the interplay of dark and light, personal transformation, and the concept of karma, inviting readers on an emotional journey that challenges their perceptions of existence.
In my second book, The Amazing Tale of Anna Himmel and the Gold Sovereign, I take a "Sliding Doors"-style approach to fate and the choices that shape our lives. The narrative weaves in current gay issues, including the impact of drugs and chemsex, to create a deeply resonant and emotionally charged story.
My most recent novel, Winding Wood, explores the shattering of a family's peaceful life in the serene Sussex countryside by a chilling presence, a ghostly, weeping woman haunting their home. Driven by fear and curiosity, the family's urgent quest to uncover the spirit’s identity leads to the discovery of a harrowing secret that threatens to unravel the very foundation of their lives. This story delves into the realms of dreams and foretelling, examining themes of betrayal, the corrosive power of secrets, and the transformative journey toward forgiveness in even the darkest of circumstances.
Through my work, I aim to connect with readers on a personal level, capturing the complexities of the human experience in all its forms.
