Grimsby Author Dr. Zoë Marriott Hosts Book Signing for Debut Novel

Dr. Zoë Marriott, a successful author from Grimsby, will hold a book signing for her debut novel aimed at adults, The Moonlit Maze, at Waterstones Grimsby on January 24, 2024. The event will take place between 11:00 and 15:00 local time, marking a significant moment for the author who has primarily written children’s fiction throughout her career.

Published by Headline Review in the summer of 2023, The Moonlit Maze quickly became a bestseller, reaching the top five in its genre category on Amazon and securing a position on the Apple Fiction Chart in Germany. Following the success of its hardback edition, the novel is now available in paperback, prompting the upcoming signing event.

In her own words, Dr. Marriott describes The Moonlit Maze as a “historical mystery with a hint of a haunting.” The book has been well-received by readers, with many calling it “evocative” and “gripping,” leaving them “spellbound.” This creative venture was inspired by personal loss, specifically the death of her father, which resonates in the novel’s protagonist, who also faces a devastating loss.

Dr. Marriott has been writing since the age of 22, but she openly admits to experiencing imposter syndrome. She reflects, “I am lucky enough to have an academic job now, and I am lucky enough to be published now. I think at a certain point I have to stop saying, ‘I don’t belong here.'” Her journey has been one of persistence, as she initially struggled to see this particular story come to fruition.

The idea for The Moonlit Maze lingered for years as she attempted to write it as a young adult book, but it did not resonate with publishers. “I had to sort of put it away. And it stayed there in the drawer, kind of throbbing at me,” she noted. Eventually, after taking a break from young adult fiction, she pursued a master’s degree in creative writing, which ignited her passion for storytelling.

Her dedication led her to write The Moonlit Maze during her doctorate at the Open University. Through a combination of funding and opportunity, she completed her PhD alongside her book, resulting in both a publishing deal and a new literary work. “At the end of three years, I had a new book and I had my thesis, and I got my PhD and a publishing deal—so it all worked out brilliantly,” she said.

Dr. Marriott has an impressive portfolio of young adult fiction, including titles such as The Swan Kingdom, Daughter of the Flames, and Shadows on the Moon. As she embarks on this new chapter with The Moonlit Maze, her upcoming book signing presents an exciting opportunity for fans and readers in Grimsby to engage with her work and celebrate her achievements.