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Jersey Festival of Words
Sunday 28th September 2025
Maria Ritchie Room (Arts Centre – £6)
Tickets available – mid-June – more details
Perotine – On The Trail of The Guernsey Martyrs
Dreena will discuss the process of writing a book series, her inspiration, the challenges, and the many upsides for readers – and the author – alike.
Uncovering and retelling a story of persecution and intolerance.
The Guernsey martyrs were three ‘ordinary’ Protestant women. Brought to trial in 1556, their remarkable story is full of twists and trauma. Yet, while these events were first recorded by John Foxe in 1563, modern retellings have been surprisingly few. Join Dreena Collins as she explains the research process used to add colour and authenticity to this retelling and unfolds their harrowing story.
Local author Dreena Collins has spent the last two years researching and writing her forthcoming historical novel inspired by their trial, Perotine. Longlisted in the Flash 500 Novel Opening Competition and a top-ten finalist in the Marlowe and Christie Unpublished Novel Prize, the book pays tribute to three women abandoned by those around them and persecuted for their difference.
(image: Engraving of the Guernsey Martyrs from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs)
and Other Stories
“She blew out the candle. One germy puff and the flame was gone.
‘I wish I didn’t feel so alone.”
Emotive. Wry. Unpredictable. Dreena Collins returns with a new collection of short fiction, exploring the challenges faced by ordinary people at pivotal moments in their lives.
Contains stories listed in the Flash 500 Flash Fiction competition and the Dean Writer’s Circle ‘Zodiac’ competition.
Short stories for the modern world.
Available now at Amazon – CLICK HERE
From the award-winning short fiction writer comes a story of motherhood, modern challenges, and a search for the truth.
57-year-old Catherine Keely’s world has been ripped apart by grief.
Independent, insightful, and intelligent – she is also the only person who finds her daughter’s death suspicious. Susie fell from a balcony while on holiday with friends, and one year on, Catherine is determined to unearth the facts about that night. But how well did she truly know Susie, and who – if anyone – can she now trust?
With hints of intrigue, gaslighting, and coercion surfacing, Catherine must be careful, or her own safety could be at stake.
And Then She Fell explores the secrets and lies around Susie’s life through the eyes of a strong and faithful protagonist. With a unique structure, we experience ten possible scenarios to explain the tragedy as the narrative unfolds. Follow Catherine’s journey as she explores the reasons for Susie’s death, and you may find that – just like Catherine – you are unsure exactly what to believe.
Pen Names, Pitfalls and Easter Eggs – Writing a Book Series
Saturday 24th September 2022
Don’t miss Dreena’s talk at the Jersey Festival of Words.
Dreena will discuss the process of writing a book series, her inspiration, the challenges, and the many upsides for readers – and the author – alike.
SOLD OUT!
Available now at Amazon – CLICK HERE
Ten twisted tales of courage and comeuppance
“Up in the attic, amid spiders and dreams, I am unsure where to start. Sorting through everything seems an insurmountable task…”
From the author of The Blue Hour, The Day I Nearly Drowned, and Bird Wing, Taste and She Had Met Liars Before comes a new short fiction collection.
A brutalised partner; a power-wielding cashier; an arrogant interviewee – Embers (and Other Stories) features tales with a twist. Descriptive, incisive and unique, these stories explore the challenges of contemporary life and the human condition.
I have launched my newsletter Dreena/Jane. Here, I will update you with key dates and information about my writing publications, a few news items that have amused me each month. Most importantly, you will have access to free content, only available to subscribers!
The newsletter is commonly sent in the last week of each month.
Available now at Amazon – CLICK HERE
“Beautifully written – filled with descriptive, sensory text.” – AWC, Furious Fiction.
“Collins is able to make ordinary struggles emotionally poignant and powerful.” – Mad Hatter Reviews
From the author of The Blue Hour, The Day I Nearly Drowned, and Bird Wing, comes a new short fiction collection.
A defiant pensioner refuses to move; a young woman dreams of freedom; a teenager harbours a secret. Dreena brings us six powerful stories of endurance.
Available now at Amazon – CLICK HERE
“She is a monster of the short story format.” – Simon Gary, author.
Dreena Collins picks six of her best short stories for the modern world for you to sample.
Tales of love, loss – and revenge
Available now at Amazon – CLICK HERE
“Dreena Collins simply paints with language.” – Simon Gary, author.
This omnibus edition, Collected, brings together the complete stories from the first three volumes by Dreena Collins, and features additional, bonus material.
The Blue Hour: a collection filled with lost voices and authentic characters waiting to be heard.
The Day I Nearly Drowned: an exploration of the challenges faced by ordinary people, at pivotal moments in their lives. A father is reunited with his daughter; a woman attends a funeral; a child almost drowns.
And Bird Wing: a powerful flash fiction collection exploring love, loss – and revenge.
Collected: Short Stories for the Modern World.
Available now at Amazon – CLICK HERE
Dreena’s third collection of short stories is available now.
A young woman struggles to read; an elderly man stares at the sky and contemplates loss; a niece plots murder on the bus.
Often tender, sometimes uplifting, always relatable – these tales explore the emotions and challenges that ordinary people strive to overcome.
Bird Wing contains stories shortlisted and long-listed in competitions including Flash 500 and Fish Publications.
Sell Out Session
Festival of Words in Jersey – September 2019
Thank you to everyone who attended Dreena’s session at the Arts Centre in Jersey. It was a wonderful couple of hours. Your questions were enjoyable to respond to and your feedback was lovely. I hope to be back next year. In the meantime, relive the moment in the video opposite.
The Day I Nearly Drowned
Dreena’s second collection of short stories was released on 1st June. The collection contains 15 new stories including stories listed in the Bridport Prize, Retreat West and Fish Publications annual competitions. This powerful and emotive story collection addresses themes such as missed opportunities; mental health challenges; family breakdown and abuse all touched along the way with humour, love and luck – and even a rescue dog
‘The Blue Hour’ – Book Review
‘The Blue Hour’ Hits the Shelves
Available now at Amazon – CLICK HERE
On Sunday 13th January, 45 people attended the Jersey Opera House to celebrate the launch of Dreena’s first short story collection.
There were refreshments, readings and book signings.
It was an entertaining afternoon and Dreena is excited that her first book is now available to buy in paperback and ebook format through Amazon.
And Then She Fell
Ten tall stories. One cruel truth.