The Writers of Wales Database

VERITY, JO

Jo was born and brought up in Newport and has lived in Cardiff since 1974. She started writing in 1999, winning acclaim from television interviewers Richard and Judy in 2003 when she beat 17,000 entries to win their Short Story Competition. Jo also won the Western Mail’s short story competition in 2004.

Her first full–length novel, Everything in the Garden (Honno, 2005), was launched at Hay. It follows a group of 50–something couples who sell up their city homes for a rambling farmhouse in the Welsh Marches. Jo published her second novel, entitled Bells (Honno) in 2007. Also set in Wales, its central character is a Morris-dancing dentist who is a disappointment to his wife. In 2009 she published her third novel (also with Honno) entitled Sweets from Morocco which tracks a brother and sister through fifty years of their troubled lives. 

Jo continues to write short stories and is a Member of The Welsh Academy.
 
Reviews:
With respect to Sweets from Morocco (Honno, 2009)

"…A richly detailed and absorbing narrative journey in the company of two completely believable – and believably complicated – characters…"
Andrew Cowan

"…A wonderfully wise portrayal of intriguingly troubled lives…"
Suzannah Dunn

"…A vivid portrayal of a family scarred by loss…"
Louise Wener

"…Verity's fiction is intelligent, well-observed, and immensely readable…"
Catherine Merriman

"...Sweets from Morocco is a highly readable and sophisticated example of storytelling..."
Louise Walsh


Selected Publications:
Everything in the Garden (Honno, 2005)
Think Like a Bee (Leaf Books, 2006)
Bells (Honno, 2007)
Sweets from Morocco (Honno, 2009)
Not Funny Not Clever (Honno, 2011)

Contributed to:
My Cheating Heart (contributor) (Honno, 2005)
Safe World Gone (contributor) (Honno, 2007)



Bells (Honno, 2007)

Bells is a heartwarming romp set in Cardiff and mid-Wales: When Jack dons his Morrismen’s bells it brings a new zest for life… and for a beguiling new woman. But wife, Fay, is also tempted to play away… Will Jack and Fay’s marriage survive the promise of new and exotic lovers?

To purchase this title from gwales.com, please click on its front cover

Sweets from Morocco (Honno, 2009)

It's 1954. Tessa and Lewis are miffed when their mother brings baby Gordon home. They take action and construct an effigy - they don't wish Gordon dead, just gone. To their astonishment 'go' he does, from his unwatched pram. The family's lives are turned upside down and 40 years on the ripples on the Swinburnes family pond are still in evidence. 

To purchase this title from gwales.com, please click on its front cover