26.6.26
Hi and Welcome.
I have been and artist and writer for most of my life.
I have had some success with both over the years, more recently with my meditation and personal development book Secret Garden being short listed in 2024 for the non fiction Ink Book Prize.
Early last year, 2025, I said that ..’nothing will stop me writing and painting and I intend to combine both but with less pressure now I have retired! But my retirement doesn’t look the way I had expected – most things usually don’t.
Later in 2025.... along with author Simon Bell, I judged the Olga Sinclair Members Shield short story competition for Norwich Writers and I was the Judge for the non-fiction category of the Ink Book Prize for which I have been asked to repeat my role this year 2026.
I returned to Art of Norwich for one last Exhibition in July 2025. It was good to see arty friends that I haven’t seen for some time. Thanks to Ruski for putting the exhibition on.
As for writing, I was placed 3rd in a short story competition with the Feather Boa, then in it all changed!
In July 2025 I became the Program Secretary for Norwich Writers, then in November I became the Chair of their Management Committee (and somehow became Webmaster at the same time!) So that left me less time than I expected to write and paint.
2026. I am using my creative talents for my book covers and finding writing time during Iain McKinnon's online Writing Stints, and during the workshops and competitions with Norwich Writers. I'm working on my first fiction novel, and enjoying judging this years Ink Book Prize entries.
So far an exciting year!
Tricia x
Just getting going on Patreon. Check out my page https://www.patreon.com/TriciaFrancesTheBookshelf/
You can get latest info on all my books and current writing projects here or on FB Tricia Frances Author or for anything Art related . Keep an eye on my Diary page for any future events or workshops.
I am selling off my huge stock of art & craft supplies so click the FB link Tricia.Frances.Art if you would like to find out more about that or click on the Author or Artist sections to find out who I am!
______________________________________________________________
BOOK NEWS - SECRET GARDEN - THE JOURNEY TO FIND A BETTER YOU.
My SECRET GARDEN Meditation and Personal Development book was short listed in August 2024 for the Non-Fiction INKBOOK Prize
Secret Garden is based on a technique which I first started to develop 30 years ago. Since that time I have taught it to thousands of people in the UK and beyond. The book was published in June 2023 and short listed for the INK BOOK Prize in August 2024.
I retired in June 2024 to spend more time writing, creating and designing my book covers without having my Art business to consider, so I am thrilled to have this book short listed.
More info here or buy it here Secret Garden signed with Notebook
You can find my books here and at Amazon or Goodreads
IT'S ALL ABOUT MY ANCESTORS
In September 2022 I published my autobiography It's All About Me! & William the Conqueror's Grandfather which tells my story and my subsequent research into my ancestors' The House of Gray.
I am researching for further books about my family, looking at the culture, fashions and lives of my direct Ancestors.
Watch this Space! Tricia Frances
I am still moving on my huge stock of art and craft materials and creations
You can check out my creations for sale here in the shop or Bazaar Of Dreams. Etsy Shop
Events Diary
What is Flash fiction? Find out through a variety of interactive writing exercises and mini sprints in this fun, Halloween themed workshop run by Tricia Frances from Norwich Writers' Circle during the Norwich Book Festival 2026. For writers of all genres and experience levels over 16. All materials provided.
Enjoy an afternoon writing Flash Fiction micro stories or poems inspired by Art on show at the Telling Tales exhibition. No experience required—just an imaginative mind! All materials provided. This workshop is part of the Telling Tales Exhibition, 5- 20 September
Learn the clever craft of Maze book-making and illustrate with ink and a painting technique inspired by Sumi-e to create your own miniature sketchbook. Suitable for a range of experience levels, the workshop focuses on practical methods you can confidently continue using in your own creative practice. All materials provided. This workshop is part of the Telling Tales Exhibition, 5- 20 September
Inspired by Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print The Great Wave off Kanagawa and the haunting history of Japan’s ancient coastal "tsunami stones," participants will weave storytelling and visual art together. Through guided micro-fiction writing and atmospheric painting, you will create your own version of this to take home. No prior art or writing experience required—just bring a curiosity for the tales the tide leaves behind.
Join Tricia Frances - Artist & Author - for the “Paint & Stitch Sketchbooks Workshop.” This professionally guided session explores how to combine expressive paint techniques with simple hand-stitching to create layered, tactile sketchbook pages. Suitable for a range of experience levels, the workshop focuses on practical methods you can confidently continue using in your own creative practice.
Secret Garden Meditations book launch and signing will be at the Festival of Wellness at The Halls, Norwich, during the August bank holiday weekend. It's been 35 years since a Near Death Experience led to the creation of Secret Garden Meditations. Chat to the author and experience a meditation from the book in a workshop on Saturday 29th August at 11.30. This is the updated 2nd edition - launching at the same venue 3 years after the first edition was launched! Paperback and Kindle available in advance at the launch or from Amazon from 1st September. The Journey - A Secret Garden Memoir will launch on 31st October. Pre-orders open soon on Amazon.
A wonderful weekend celebrating wellbeing, spirituality, art, and crafts. With over 80 talented and knowledgeable exhibitors, you’ll have the chance to explore a wide range of experiences, products, and services. Enjoy free wellbeing demonstrations and talks running throughout the event. https://www.norwich.gov.uk/thehalls/festival-wellness .
BOOKS
Books available here. Some on Amazon or Goodreads. Click book for info or go to Shop
PORTFOLIO
THOUGHT CREATES!
SHOP
SECRET GARDEN
I am excited to announce that Secret Garden has been shortlisted for the non-fiction INK BOOK PRIZE.
2026
Once again, I am excited to tell you that Secret Garden Meditations was published on 1st September this year.
SECRET GARDEN - The Journey to find a better you. After teaching this Personal Development & Meditation technique to thousands of people over the past 30 years, the book was finally written and published in 2023.
During the Festival of Wellness weekend, 2nd & 3rd September 2023, at the Halls Norwich, I was excited to launch my SECRET GARDEN workbook and study guide. I gave a talk and introductory workshops on both days.
3 years later, on the August Bank Holiday in 2026, I launched Secret Garden Meditations again at the Festival of Wellness.
I decided to split the 1st Edition into 2 books, as I felt that the Journey, the story of my own experience, gave too much away and may influence the readers' own journey.
The Journey - A Secret Garden memoir will be published later in 2026 - 35 years after the near-death experience that created Secret Garden
Secret Garden is a life-changing personal development technique.
The Workbook and Study Guide take you on a personal journey of self-empowerment through guided Meditations, Relaxation Exercises and prompted questions, enabling healing and positive change to lifelong patterns of behaviour.
To buy a signed copy of the 1st Edition, book with a free notebook, only available through this website, click here.
Secret Garden Paperback
Paperback and Kindle versions are also available through Amazon.
or
A signed copy of Secret Garden Meditations (which includes Journal pages at the back of the book) can be found here.
Secret Garden Meditations
Paperback and Kindle versions are also available through Amazon
Courses currently unavailable.
Author
Latest Book: Secret Garden Meditations - Meditation and Personal Development
Find my books here
I have been a Writer since the age of 15. Over the past 30 years I have had many poems, articles and stories published, a few books of poetry, an Aromatherapy Notebook and a Vegan cookbook. Even during my careers as an artist, costumier and entertainer I always found outlets for my writing, becoming the East Anglian review contributor for Heckler magazine and as reporter for the local paper. In the 90's I had a book deal on the cards but fate took a hand and my life went in a different direction - as is often the case.
I became a high school art & textiles teacher and gained 5 degrees including an M.Ed and counselling qualifications.
On 27th September 2022 my dream, as a 15 year old, to write my autobiography when I retire finally came to fruition and
'IT'S ALL ABOUT ME! and William the Conqueror's Grandfather'
was finally published in my family name of Tricia Frances deGray.
On researching my autobiography I found that my family of Gray / Grey was well documented going back over a thousand years and a number of countries.
In Summer of 2023 and after teaching it for 30 years my meditation and personal development book
SECRETGARDEN - The Journey to Find a better You was published.
In 2026, SECRETGARDEN MEDITATIONS was published.
I am currently working on my final poetry book, 'Tales of Myth and Legend' (which includes some short stories) and a series of Family History books, 'It's All About My Ancestors' each covering around 200 years, looking at the fashions, homes, and culture of my family at the time.
You can find out more about my family history project here Tricia Frances deGray
I live in Norwich UK where I write downstairs in my office and create art upstairs in my studio - the perfect combination!
ARTIST
Latest Project: Book Cover Art
When I left school at 16, in the 60’s, I was already designing clothes and my crochet garments were being sold in Biba, London.
I went to art college in the 70’s then for the next 25 years I had an historical and theatrical costume and prop company ‘Will-O-Wisp’ in London & Norfolk.
1n early 1990's circumstances caused a change of direction. First I founded a charity 'The Light Foundation', and set up childrens (Childwise) and educational (Sayana Wolf trust) projects. Then, on my way to become an educational psychologist I discovered I loved teaching children and taught art and textiles in high schools for the next 15 years. After retiring from teaching I worked from my home & garden studios and sold my creations from my online Etsy shop, Bazaar of Dreams, and at Handmade Gifts & Gallery in Norwich. As I love teaching I run several Art & Craft courses locally throughout the year and was involved with Norwich Makers Festival and Open Studios.
I have had many solo and collaborative exhibitions over the years, and some of my highlights were as the founder of ACME Art & Craft Markets (putting on exhibitions for up to 50 artists during Open Studios), being commissioned to make a miniature room box for the V&A Small Stories touring exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum in 2017 and then in 2018 reprising my role as costumier by making the White Face Clown costume for Foolhardy circus for the 250 years of Circus celebration.
In 2023 I finally retired my art business to spend more time writing, but I will continue to create art for enjoyment and my book covers. And............I have a few future projects up my sleeve ;)
Thought Creates!!!
CONTACT
- Norwich, England, United Kingdom
- triciafrances.author@gmail.com
- Contact anytime by email
Many thanks for your interest. Please email me if you are interested in my books or artwork, or check out my Facebook page: TriciaFrances.Author Or, for questions regarding Pennies Press, please add that to the subject line of your email and send to triciafrances.author@gmail.com