C.B. Lyall

About C.B. Lyall

Carolyn Lyall was born in Stockton-On-Tees, United Kingdom. As a child growing up in Northern England in the sixties. Carolyn loved sports, reading and amateur dramatics. She joined a renaissance group, practiced the broadsword and dreamed of visiting other worlds. Her passion for what could be drove her forward when faced with everyday struggles. Her first memorable skirmish with gender inequality came at nine years old when she was told that only boys were allowed to play soccer. In response, she simply refused to do any classwork until they changed their old-fashioned policies. She won that battle.

Carolyn has published two short stories in an annual anthology by the Women in Publishing Society Hong Kong. She had a major role in the distribution of these publications, maintained the Society’s website, and wrote a number of articles for the American Women’s Associates Magazine.  Fueled by her love of the works of Terry Pratchett, David Gemmel, Brandon Sanderson and others, Carolyn has completed a number of writing courses, which included a Master Fantasy/Science Fiction writers course with Gotham Writers’ Workshop, a YA Voice class and Advanced Novel Writing course at Sarah Lawrence College’s Writing Institute and The first 100 pages with David Farland – The Story Doctor.

Read BookTrib’s review of Carolyn’s book, The Virus of Beauty and The Veil of Corruption. Also check out our interview with her here.

BOOKS:

The Virus of Beauty (2019)

The Veil of Corruption (2020)

Biggest literary influences:

David Gemmell, Brandon Sanderson, Terry Pratchett, Deborah Harkness, Guy Gavriel Kay, Robert Jordan, The Bronte sisters, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Last book read:

The Rose & the Dagger and The Wrath & the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

The book that changed your life:

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – I read it for our final examinations in high school. There were a lot of loud groans when it was announced. I’m dyslexic and the size of the book was very daunting. To my surprise, I loved it. It inspired me to read more and helped to develop my deep love of literature. And although I will always be a slow reader, I love reading and finding books that engulf me in their worlds.

Your favorite literary character:

Sherlock Holmes. I love that he’s a flawed character while also brilliant with his observations, forensic science and logic. It’s a testament to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that Sherlock has withstood the test of time.

Currently working on:

The Second book in the Wilf Gilvary Series.

Words to live by:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” —Howard Thurman

Advice to new and aspiring authors:

Set a weekly word count, but write daily. Spend the time to learn the craft. Constantly read.

Articles / Reviews:

Amazon