X: @PaulaDL16
Bluesky: pauladlennon@blue.sky.social
Instagram: @pauladl16
Publisher: Canelo
Website: www.canelo.co
Check out our #Agent121 page to chat to an agent.
Paula Lennon was born to Jamaican parents in England. She lived in Jamaica during her teens and developed a great affinity for the island. Although Paula came back to England to study law and was once a London commercial lawyer, she eventually saw sense and returned to live where the weather is more conducive to smiling.
IAIP: Why did you decide to enter the I Am In Print Novel Award 2023?
PL: I’d been watching the submissions page on Canelo’s website for months. Their inbox was closed and not accepting unsolicited submissions at the time. When I spotted that Canelo were sponsors of the I Am In Print Novel Award 2023, I was beyond excited… particularly when I saw the historical adventure category. I prepared my entry and crossed my fingers that I would finish in the top three.
IAIP: What was the inspiration behind the book that you entered?
PL: My inspiration was the most notorious Scotsman to ever live in Jamaica, the island’s first serial killer. It is rare to find Jamaican folklore or legends in books and I was determined to write a novel that would include some aspects of both.
IAIP: Was this the first book you had written?
PL: No, I wrote my first book in 2014 and it was published in 2017. The good folks of Joffe Books published my Montego Bay murder trilogy in 2022. Wildfire published a thriller in 2023. THE ADVENTURES OF ISAIAH OLLENU (now THE CASE OF THE MAD DOCTOR) was written in 2019, and will be the fifth novel I’ve had published. My debut historical tale!
IAIP: Were you querying agents with this book at the same time you entered our competition? If so, what type of response were you getting?
PL: I’ve had nearly a hundred agent rejections for this book over the years. In 2020, it was longlisted for the Historical Writers Association/Sharpe Books Unpublished Novel Award. I was overjoyed to sign with a UK agent in 2021. After some revision work, the book went on sub 2021/2022, but the agent left that job for an editorial role. Prior to her departure, despite lots of glowing feedback, no editor had made an offer. Agentless, and on a break from querying agents, I entered your competition in September 2023. Definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made as a writer!
IAIP: What happened after you came second in the competition?
PL: I screamed my head off for five minutes, then calmed down! Second prize was a thirty-minute one-to-one with editor Craig Lye, which took place early in 2024. The sole question I prepared was “What changes would be required for you to publish this book?” Once we discussed the possible changes, I believe Craig put together a proposal for an acquisitions meeting. More crossing of fingers and toes. A few weeks later, I was informed that the team bought into the book and were thrilled to acquire it. I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is to find an editor who finally gets your characters and your story! Luckily, Craig is a big fan of Ollenu and Ashby, both separately and as an investigative team, and he was intrigued by Jamaican folklore.
IAIP: How many books was your deal for?
PL: I signed a two-book deal. Ollenu and Ashby will return in July 2026, in a currently untitled novel set in Bristol 1773.
IAIP: Did you need to make any major changes to the story during the editing process?
PL: Yes, one particular structural change early on meant a big re-write for the last third of the book. At first I was a bit (okay, a lot) daunted by the sight of pages and pages of editorial notes, but Craig and I went through them on the phone first. Once I got stuck into the rewrite, I found that the changes worked well and strengthened the story.
IAIP: What advice would you give to aspiring writers looking to get published?
PL: Most of us want to secure an agent, but if it’s proving too stressful (or you’ve found and lost an agent), please do not shelve your book. Sure, write another book. No need to give up on the first one though. Keep an eye out for opportunities to get your work in front of a decent publisher, such as great competitions run by I Am In Print. You have a lot to gain if you place, including (temporary) relief from the dreaded imposter syndrome!
IAIP: When is your book being published?
PL: THE CASE OF THE MAD DOCTOR will be published on 10 July 2025.
X: @PaulaDL16
Bluesky: pauladlennon@blue.sky.social
Instagram: @pauladl16
Publisher: Canelo
Website: www.canelo.co
Check out our #Agent121 page to book an appointment to chat to an agent.