by Amy McLean
I'm very excited to be able to set my second novel in Hampstead. It has a gloriously rich history. It's alive with stories and adventures. When I first visited the area several years ago I knew it was exactly the sort of place I was looking for to explore a new area of spiritualism in my fiction. Hampstead offers a lot of exploration, and I certainly have no plans of abandoning it any time soon.
I must thank those whose support has guided me through writing Celestial Land and Sea, namely David and Kelly and the team at Open Books; the family and friends who probed me with questions about the novel's development, keeping me pushing onwards; and my personal inspirations for its characters, in particular my approach to Elizabeth I. The composition of this novel is based on a foundation comprising late nights, several dead ends, and the consumption of more cups of coffee than I can ever condone, but every second for me has been an unforgettable journey I'll always treasure. Besides, I never could resist a pirate!
