Born in England to older Italian immigrant parents, Anna Lucia spent long, hot summers in the Apennine mountain village they had left behind to escape poverty and lack of opportunity.  In the local dialect, she listened to the stories of elderly relatives about a time, place and way of life that was far, far removed from 1970s and 1980s suburbia.
 
Those voices, particularly of strong women who led tough lives, never went away, neither did the echoes of Catholicism.

Broken Madonna is her debut novel. Powerful and multi-layered historical fiction, it is a novel about female friendship, strong women and belief, a page-turner through to its poignant ending. Broken Madonna has recently been nominated as a finalist in the Page Turner Awards for Book Award and Best Cover Design, and is highly rated and recommended by readers.
 
Anna has been awarded support for her writing from Arts Council England, and also writes short stories, flash fiction and poetry. She is Chair of Trustees of literature development agency, New Writing South.
 
Anna is an experienced writer mentor, developmental editor and runs inspiring courses and retreats. She has a special interest in the psychology of writing.