I am utterly thrilled to announce that Sycorax has been shortlisted for The Encore Award! This prestigious literary prize celebrates the best second novel of the year. Thank you to the judges and to the Society of Authors for this incredible recognition.
From the judges:
‘This remarkable shortlisted novel offers a spellbinding origin story—at once folkloric, mythic, and poetic—tracing Sycorax’s lineage as born of the sun and moon and shaped by fire and malady,” and her life as an outcast on the fringes of a coastal world. . .In reclaiming and restoring Sycorax’s voice, Hetherington delivers a striking work of historical and literary’ reimagining—nuanced, resonant, and profoundly deserving of its place on the shortlist.’
April 15th 2026
February has been busy. I had the immense pleasure of speaking to poet Maggie Harris about all things Sycorax at the glorious Faversham Literary Festival. The beautiful new paperback edition was available at the event, a week before the official publication date. Then, hurrah! The paperback was out and on the shelves in bookshops. And I was extremely excited to have been invited to the iconic Forbidden Planet shop on Shaftesbury Ave to sign copies. Thank you to the booksellers for such a warm welcome.
It was thrilling to be at the Wilbur Smith Prize 2025 awards ceremony. Being shortlisted for this amazing prize was a real honour. Sycorax didn’t win in the end, but what a wonderful experience, to have had such support was truly wonderful. Thank you!
My author copies of the North American edition of Sycorax have arrived. And they are GORGEOUS! Published by Pegasus Books in New York City, Sycorax will be in bookstores across the USA and Canada from 1st July. I can’t wait for North American readers to meet her in her beautiful new garb. Preorder your copy here for USA and here for Canada
I am so very thrilled to announce that SYCORAX has been shortlisted for the amazing Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. What an honour. Thank you for this recognition & congratulations to all the shortlisted authors.
Thank you so much to Waterstones Bromley for choosing SYCORAX as your April Bookclub Read. It was such a pleasure to come along and meet you all, to hear your thoughts, eat brownies and generally have a lovely time. Thank you xx
If your local bookshop bookclub has chosen to read SYCORAX and you’d like me to come along to discuss the book with the group, drop me a line. As long as it’s not too far away, I will try my best to drop by for a bookish chat. Otherwise, there’s always the online option.
I grew up in Leeds, but never would I have dared to imagine that one day I’d be in Leeds Waterstones, signing copies of my second novel. Thank you so much for the warm welcome.
It was utter joy to spend the evening with Diane at the incredible Wave of Nostalgia Bookshop in beautiful Haworth. I spent many a teenage day wandering those very streets, making the event extra special. Diane asked the best questions & I finally got to sign *the* wall! Thank you to all who came along, both in person and online. Magical!
What better way to spend publication day than to sign copies of your novel at the iconic Goldsboro Books? Thank you so much for the warm welcome. This made me so very happy.
Sycorax is Launched!
Thank you to everyone who came to our glorious launch event at the wonderful Waterstones, Islington. It was truly the launch of my author dreams, with standing room only, crows on sticks, cakes, drinks & nibbles, fabulous questions & an audience of friends & readers celebrating all things Sycorax. Thank you, again. It was wild!
WOWIE! What an amazing day it’s been over at Hachette HQ. Thank you so much to all the team for looking after me so well as I signed 2500 copies of SYCORAX! These signed editions will be exclusive to Waterstones and I can’t wait for readers to discover them. Honestly, I laughed for the whole eight hours it took to sign all these beautiful books. What utter joy! Thank you for such a fabulous experience.
