Julie Parsons

Julie Parsons was born in New Zealand to Irish parents who had emigrated there in 1947. After her father disappeared off the coast of the Tokelau Islands, her mother decided to move back to Ireland in 1963. Julie settled into her new life. She went to the protestant Hall School in Monkstown, Co Dublin. After school she went to University College, Dublin, worked as a radio producer, then television producer for RTE.

But she had always wanted to be a writer and in 1996 wrote her first novel, Mary, Mary. Published in 1998 it was an instant critical and commercial success. It was translated into 17 languages and published in America. This success enabled Julie to become a full-time writer. Her subsequent publications inlcude The Courtship Gift, Eager To Please, The Guilty Heart, The Hourglass, and I Saw You. All were hugely successful.

Julie now lives in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, within sight of the sea. The sea, with all its power, beauty and mystery, is hugely important to her.