Zed and the Cormorants

By Clare Owen and Sally Atkins

Winner of the Holyer An Gof YA award 2022 and the 2022 Ann Trevenen Jenkin Cup


Zed and her family move unwillingly form London to Cornwall to support her mother's mental health. Gradually the family falls apart and it is only when Zed realises the local Cormorants have something to do with the disasters that consume them, and that they are attempting to right an ancient wrong, that she and her sister Amy start working together to find a solution and call a truce.


A really haunting story – in more ways than one. I shall often think of those riverbanks, the birds, the town and the relationship between man and nature – it’s a clever weaving of history with contemporary issues. A compelling story, full of mystery and enchantment, and readers will love it, the perfect book to get lost in on a hot summer’s day. Sophia Bennett

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arachne Press
• Release date: Apr 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781909208896

Clare Owen

After working as an actor and arts administrator in London, Clare Owen married a boat builder and moved to Cornwall.  She promptly had three children and set up an improvised theatre company, re-enacting the stories of their audiences around the county.  More recently she has co-written and performed with the all women ensemble, ‘Riot of the Freelance Mind’ and she regularly reads her short fiction at spoken word events and local festivals.