novella

Emma’s Voice

I'm currently completing a novella inspired by the life, loves, and losses of my second great grandmother, Emma Epps. 

Emma' Voice is a reimagining of Emma's life in colonial South Australia, mid 1800s. And of the curious relationship between Emma, her mother Elizabeth nee Clarke and John Shemeld, the secretive stranger they meet by chance.

The main characters, actual places and events are based on archival records including newspapers, journals, and court transcripts. All private scenes and dialogue are pure fiction. 

In 1839 Emma migrated with her parents, Elizabeth and Moses Epps (my third great grandparents) from Kent, England to Port Adelaide, South Australia in the migrant ship the Buckinghamshire. Emma and John Shemeld are my paternal 2nd great grandparents.

The stories of Emma’s experiences in the new colony were too dramatic not to tease out and tell. I have taken much poetic liberty to weave real and imaginary events together from Emma’s perspective. I have respectfully recreated my ancestor’s ‘voice’, silent for almost two centuries.

Image: Mt Remarkable, Melrose, South Australia