Testimonials

Publishers

'Siobhan is one of the most gifted writers I have worked with in the last fifteen years. Subtleties of character, tone and plotting seem to come easily to her. She can turn her hand to writing to the very young right up to young adult, and in each case with real talent. She is unusually versatile and adept. And what's more, she is a joy to work with - a true professional.' Leah Thaxton, Publisher, Faber & Faber

'I have worked closely with Siobhan for several years and on many different projects. We've brainstormed the very loosest of ideas then worked together to create and shape, develop and produce high-quality fiction series for children, so I've seen Siobhan at every stage of the creative process. She is one of the very best. She's always bubbling with rich ideas of her own, yet remains wonderfully responsive to those of others: she's a thoughtful and considerate listener, an intuitive enabler and encourager, with a gift for finding the heart and soul of a story and bringing it to vibrant life, usually through richly imagined characters, and a distinctive voice and telling detail. Touches more magical than just the words - of which she is both master - and mistress.' Reg Wright, Director, Hothouse Fiction

'Having worked with Siobhan in various capacities, I can vouch for her expertise. As her editor, I've seen how her own writing leaps from the page and touches her readers. And in her work as an editorial consultant, creating, shaping and developing concepts, and working with other writers, she's an absolute pro. Creative, insightful, reliable and fun - what more could you ask for?' Ali Dougal, Editorial Director, Egmont UK

'Working with Siobhan on the Harry Hammer series has been an absolute pleasure. Her speedy turnaround times, collaborative approach and formidable creativity have led to a full-of-fun series of which we can all be proud.' Katie Cotton, Templar Publishing

Workshops

'In July 2014 Foster Care Co-operative, an independent, not for profit fostering agency, ran a short story competition for their foster children and the children of their foster carers. We were looking for a respected author who might be willing to read the story entries and Siobhan was recommended to us. Siobhan was very pleased to oblige and willing to judge all the entries, managing to fit us in to her busy schedule. She was very enthusiastic and keen to be involved and took time out of her busy schedule to visit our head office in Malvern from her home in Hertfordshire to find out a little more about our organisation and to meet the FCC Short Story Competition ‘team’, The competition was open to children of our organisation from the ages of 5 to 18 and we had 27 entries. Siobhan not only read each entry and chose the winners and runners up in each age category, but she made some lovely comments about the winning entries and the close winners, which we shared with the children and young people. On a Saturday in October we held a prize-giving event to which we invited all the children, who had entered the competition, and their families and Siobhan gave up her time, again, to come along, meet the children and their families and give out the prizes to the winners and certificates to all who entered. She was so affirming in her comments to the children, who were thrilled to meet a ‘real life’ author who endorsed their writing in such a positive and sensitive way. This experience will, I have no doubt, stay with these young people for a long time to come and hopefully inspire them to continue writing. I am sure that it will have given them a much-needed confidence boost and increased their self-esteem. On behalf of all the team at Foster Care Co-operative, I would like to say what an absolute pleasure it was to work on this project with Siobhan. We appreciated her strong commitment, enthusiasm and thoughtful approach to the project and we look forward to collaborating with her on similar projects in the future.' Jane Herron, Education Advisor, Foster Care Co-operative.

'A council house, a cockroach and a captivating lady: 

Siobhan Curham included the first two of these in an inspiring and engaging talk to a group of 38 fourteen year olds from the school where I am Head of English. She described how she fought off the negativity of her own 'inner voice' and succeeded in her dream to become an author. However, she challenged the students to forge ahead with their own dreams and aspirations, whatever they might be.

Encouraging active participation, Siobhan got the students to read out comments in evil voices, she then read from one of her own books and finally there was a relaxed question and answer session.

The girls are now desperate to read her next book from the 'Shipwrecked' series along with 'Dear Dylan'. As an English teacher what more can I ask for?

If you want to find out about the council house and cockroach you'll just have to meet her!'

‘Siobhan Curham worked with Centrepoint between June and July 2012, running a series of workshops aimed at inspiring and empowering young people to write creatively. From the outset, Siobhan engaged the group, working with the mix of personalities and ensuring everyone had a say. Each young person was encouraged to draw from their own experiences making the pieces very personal, powerful testaments, particularly considering the backgrounds of the individuals the charity works with. Always looking to the future, Siobhan focused on the group's dreams and aspirations as inspiration and brought the series to a close with a final competition available through her website Siobhan went on to mentor the winner of the competition, with stunning results. The resident and Siobhan developed a great working relationship, whereby Siobhan would set weekly exercises for her completion, on top of which the young person was able to secure a work experience placement at a children's publishing company through Siobhan's contacts. Siobhan was professional, warm, friendly, boundaried and carried out excellent work with the young people at Centrepoint and comes highly recommended.’ Teresa Redman, Assessment and Training Officer, Centrepoint

‘Siobhan has proved herself an excellent workshop leader and has built a strong and productive workshop with her own unique blend of professionalism, enthusiasm and warmth.’ Dale Arndell, Arts Development Officer, London Borough of Harrow

‘Siobhan has worked in our school, leading workshops with Year 7 and Year 8 students. Following independent study to create their own stories, Siobhan then helped them through the editing and refining process. Once they were satisfied with their achievements, Siobhan helped the students to rehearse reading their stories aloud. A performance of readings then took place at our local library, and was much enjoyed by students, parents and the wider community. Our Director of English and Drama found Siobhan to be very supportive and encouraging, and the students clearly benefited from the experience. They enjoyed the whole process and produced some very impressive writing.’ Penny Maas, Director of Community and Partnership Learning, Ruislip High School

‘I have known Siobhan for ten years in her capacity as a creative writing workshop leader and during that time I have come to realise that she is a person with an immense natural ability to see straight to the heart of whatever problems she is presented with. Time and again I have seen her help faltering students gain clarity and confidence and thus move successfully towards their creative goals. Siobhan is an excellent and sympathetic listener, but also highly practical and these gifts, combined with her understanding of writing and artistic expression give her a unique approach to problem solving I have found profoundly valuable.’ Charlotte Baldwin, Arts Officer, London Borough of Hillingdon.

‘Siobhan is a natural when it comes to teaching. She always manages to be encouraging and bring out the best in her writers no matter what their level of ability. My writing has come on in leaps and bounds since attending her workshop.’ Phil Lawder, author of Edges

‘Working with Siobhan has been truly inspirational. As a workshop leader her magical touch both encourages and teaches. I can honestly say my time with her has been one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had. From a scribbler two years ago she has coaxed me into finishing my first novel, which won the Donard Publishing competition and is now in print.’ Wally Robson

I joined Siobhan’s Harrow Writing group in 2007 and attended regularly for several years. During that time I started to discuss with her my idea for a novel which had been in various formats and versions for some time. Siobhan agreed to coach me regarding content, plot and characterisation and within nine months, my novel, Brothers and lovers, was completed. It has sold well worldwide and I owe a great debt of gratitude to Siobhan for her interest, enthusiasm and guidance. I cannot praise her patience and understanding of an author’s problems too highly and can whole-heartedly recommend her services to any aspiring authors.’ Michael J Davidson, author of Brothers and Lovers

‘Siobhan is a caring, intuitive and professional writing and life coach.  She has helped me reach the stage where I am poised to submit to publishers.  I never would have got this far without her special gifts. I would certainly recommend aspiring writers to seek out Siobhan to find an endless source of inspirational guidance.’ Patricia Jacobs

‘I have found Siobhan to be inspiring and thought-provoking, with excellent listening skills followed by fair, gentle and honest analysis. Subsequently I have been given focus, drive and direction and have placed creative writing at the centre of my life.’ James Lee

Coaching

‘Siobhan brings out the best in her clients. She is always honest, good humoured and manages to fill us with hope and the desire to do better. She's a gentle and inspiring guide. I went to Siobhan when I was pretty much down and out in writing terms. We talked, I cried a bit and laughed a lot and having listened to her wise words came away enthused to start afresh. I did, and my new attitude has brought good luck and success - and my sessions with Siobhan were the launchpad.’ Anna May Mangan, best-selling author of Me and Mine, and radio and TV broadcaster

'Siobhan is great. I worked with her on my first book, Liquid Millionaire and I was so impressed with her attitude and expertise that she had to be my number one choice for my second book, How to Make Money in ISAs and SIPPS. I strongly recommend her and endorse her whole-heartedly.' Stephen Sutherland, Chief Investment Strategist, ISACO

'Siobhan is a caring, empathetic and insightful life coach with the ability to really understand where you're coming from, whether in your business or personal life. She possesses the ability to enable you to see your own solutions without prejudice, which is an invaluable talent.' S. Burgess

'Siobhan gently guides, helping uncover hidden blocks and preconceptions that could be stopping you from realising your dreams, and ultimately, your full potential. She has a warm, caring style and a strong, genuine desire to see you embrace the new possibilities her insightful questions and exercises help bring into focus. I would strongly recommend her as a coach to anyone ready to find the path they should really be on.' B. Wilson

‘I never thought that I would be any good at anything. My self confidence, right across the board, was zero, and then minus some. I had never learned to spell properly, and I was partly dyslexic. During my coaching with you, the window to my mind, my imagination, opened up. I was free at last. Now I could dream anything I wanted to. I could go any place, even through time itself. There were no more barriers, no more boundaries, no where that I could not go. I lived. I breathed. I was. There will always be those people who believe sincerely, that dreaming is just for children alone. No so, say I! Childhood never ends, remember that. Dream of the impossible. Dream and never stop dreaming, or trying.’ R. Maughan

‘I just wanted to let you know how much the session with you last week has inspired me. What struck me most from our conversations, was the obvious natural ability you have to push yourself forward through times of great adversity. I came away with that awareness firmly entrenched in the forefront of my mind. So much so, that I found the very next day I woke up with ideas flowing through my mind based on our previous days communication. I have been a great one for having ideas that I do it follow through with. I am now looking forward to changing this old pattern, with your continued help. Thank you so much once again for helping me to address this lifetime pattern that certainly has not served me. You certainly have a natural ability to discern what a person needs in order to move forward in their life.’ A. Wood

Coaching for Carers 

‘I have learnt to relax a bit more and take up something new. It has given me more confidence in everyday life, as I am doing things I didn’t think I was capable of. I have enjoyed using my brain again and letting my imagination run wild. It is like a form of counselling that unburdens your inner self and leaves you feeling happier and more in control.’

‘Siobhan’s exercises are very good at making you look at people and yourself from the inside. This helps you to understand why people act the way they do.’

‘I feel like a different person since completing the course. Now I know I am not just a carer, but that I have needs too.’

‘This course has helped me to express my feelings and sort some of them out – a fantastic outlet and Siobhan is so patient and understanding.’

‘Finding a way to communicate my feelings and frustrations has been invaluable.’

‘This course has been very beneficial on a personal level. The writing has really helped to bring me out of myself and our coach, Siobhan creates an atmosphere of safety and support.’

‘I had never really done much writing before but these exercises have shown me that I am capable of a lot more than I ever could have dreamed.’