About Catherine Lynwood

Catherine Lynwood was born in Birmingham in 1980, growing up amidst the urban landscapes and industrial heritage of Britain’s second city. Raised in Rubery, Catherine was drawn to the arts from an early age, finding creative inspiration in the sights, sounds, and stories around her. She attended Colmers Farm School, where teachers quickly recognized her talent for drawing and storytelling, often encouraging her to explore her creativity in school projects and art classes.

Following secondary school, Catherine continued to hone her skills at Bournville College, just a stone’s throw from the famous Bournville Village. There, she immersed herself in design, illustration, and creative writing, constantly sketching ideas and characters in the margins of her notebooks. With a growing portfolio and an eye for detail, she pursued her passion further, enrolling in the art program at the University of Birmingham. Her studies in fine arts allowed her to experiment across media, from painting and illustration to digital design, while her interest in narrative and character continued to develop in parallel.

After university, Catherine began her career as a graphic designer, working with various agencies across Birmingham. Her work ranged from branding for local businesses to designing magazine layouts and digital content. While she found joy in design, Catherine often felt that something was missing—an unfulfilled creative ambition that kept pulling her back to the written word. She had a notebook dedicated to story ideas, character sketches, and plot outlines, slowly building a world in her imagination where her characters could live and breathe.

It was only after years of juggling her design work and her love for storytelling that Catherine decided to take the plunge and begin writing her first novel. Drawing on her life experiences, her love for strong, complex characters, and the rich settings of her hometown, Catherine wrote The Alpha Flame as a deeply personal exploration of resilience, mystery, and identity. Her transition from graphic design to the literary world has allowed her to combine her eye for visual storytelling with the depth of narrative, creating a unique voice that speaks to readers on many levels.

Outside her creative career, Catherine’s life is deeply rooted in family. She lives just outside Birmingham with her daughter, who is her greatest inspiration and, often, her toughest critic. She describes her as having curious, quick-witted, and strong-willed—traits she values deeply and strives to cultivate in her own writing. Catherine finds joy in observing the unique perspectives her daughter brings to the world, and she often reminds her of the importance of resilience and self-discovery, themes central to her work.

Balancing family life with her career, Catherine believes in nurturing a creative household. She encourages her daughter Samantha to explore her passions, whether through art, music, or reading, hoping to instill in them a love for creativity and storytelling. Their family time often involves visits to museums, local theaters, or simply gathering around a table for sketching and brainstorming, making Catherine’s home a space where stories are shared and ideas take shape.