At Christmas time in 2019 my lovely friend Pam Sharrock gave me a notebook. It was a fun gift but it said THE PLAN in a star on the top and then gave 3 steps in which this plan should be executed. No 1 was ‘Write Best-Selling Novel’, No 2 said ‘Sell Film Rights’, and No 3 was ‘Retire’. Well this little book became a premonition of what was to come the following year. In February 2020, my novel, THE STRANGER IN OUR BED, was released and became an instant bestseller. Within a week of release it had made it to the USA Today Bestsellers list and I thought then things couldn’t get any better. Point 1 of the plan had been achieved!!
Later that year my friend, Frazer Hines, introduced me to actress, presenter and now producer, Terri Dwyer. Terri read the book and she wanted to turn it into the first film made by her newly formed production company, Buffalo Dragon with partner Greg Barrow. To do this, Terri brought on board a very seasoned Producer, Dean Fisher.
Fast forward to November 2020. By then the screenplay had been written by me, and locked. Cast, crew and locations had all been sourced and the film went into production headed by director, Giles Alderson and director of photography, Rich Swingle. By the end of the year it was in the can. Then the work of editing and putting together what became the finished product began.
The film was released in 2022 and we were still all reeling from the pandemic at that point and so there was no theatrical release because the cinemas were still closed to most films. Even so, point 2 had not only been hit but it had been overshot and the whole thing was complete.
The film was received well and then, just a short time ago, we heard it had been nominated for the National Film Award for Best Thriller. We spent a whirlwind month promoting it, encouraging people to vote and on Monday 3rd of July, I attended the National Film Awards which were televised live. We didn’t think it would happen but WE WON!!
I owe a huge thanks to Terri Dwyer for her faith and drive and total dedication to making this film, to Greg Barrow for supporting it financially, for Dean Fisher who to be honest, was so calm all the time on set. To Giles Alderson – fantastic director and visionary – and Rich Swingle whose photography expertise made it all look incredible. Plus of course all the hard working crew: from make-up to costume, set design, lighting, runners, continuity and even, of course, a COVID medic on set, keeping everyone safe. Then there’s the amazing talent of the stellar cast: Emily Berrington, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Samantha Bond, Nina Wadia, Joseph Marcell, Terri Dwyer, Paul Casar, Andi Osho – and even my husband for his very excellent performance in our cameo appearance as cafe patrons.
I want to thank too, everyone who has supported my endeavours over the last few years: my wonder rock and husband, writer, historian and publisher, David J Howe. My agent, Camilla Shestopal from Shesto-Literary, who is always patient and guides and supports me with such dedication. And to my friends, family and such loyal readers and fans who took the time and effort to vote, share, buy and support my writing and the film. Some of you have been with me now for the entirety of my professional career and I really do appreciate you: writers need readers and supporters so much.
I’m nowhere near ready to make point 3 happen yet, as you might imagine! In fact this feels in many ways like the start of a new era for me.
Here’s the moment the winner of the Best Thriller category was announced … Some behind the scenes footage taken by David of the announcement, the excitement at the table, and then, me, Writer/Exec Producer Samantha Lee Howe, and the team from production company Buffalo Dragon: Actress/Producer Terri Dwyer, Exec Producer Greg Barrow, and Head of Production Laura Jones go up to collect the award …
