Rebecca Smith is the author of six novels, two works of non-fiction and the text of a picture-book.

Conversations With An Octopus (Legend Press, 2024) is Rebecca Smith’s most recent work of fiction. A crime novel set in a Devon town over one sweltering summer, it’s is a tale of women’s anger, sea creatures, friendship, and ice cream.

The Ash Museum (2021) tells the story of five generations of a family and draws on the history of Rebecca’s own family in India, Canada and the UK.

Bloomsbury published Rebecca’s first three novels, The Bluebird Café (2001) Happy Birthday and All That (2003) and A Bit of Earth (2006) – all to great acclaim.

Rebecca’s books inspired by Jane Austen, Where’s Jane, Jane Austen’s Guide to Modern Life’s Dilemmas and The Jane Austen Writers’ Club: Inspiration and Advice from the World’s Best-Loved Novelist grew from her time as Writer in Residence at Jane Austen’s House in Hampshire, where she ran many writing workshops.

Rebecca is an emeritus fellow at Southampton University where she taught Creative Writing for many years.