Cathie Devitt – Writer

Cathie Devitt was brought up in a family where a lot of story-telling went on, in the form of stories, poetry and song. Cathie scribbled away and won prizes for English at her primary school ending her last year before High School by writing and performing in a play for the school show.

It never occurred to her that she could one day walk into a newsagents or library and see her work on display. Instead of pursuing a career as a writer Cathie worked, raised her family and studied creative writing at every chance she got.

In her forties Cathie found herself on the doorstep of a local writers group. Though she had no intention of ever having her work published, encouraged by her peers she sent her short stories, poetry and articles to various magazines and publishers

Cathie had her first book published in 2014 “Don’t Drink & Fly!” is Part One of a trilogy of novellas about the life of fictional character, Bernice O’Hanlon.

Part Two “Don’t Doubt the Magic!” will be published Oct 2017 with Part Three “Don’t Break the Circle” due for release over summer 2018.

Cathie’s chatty conversational writing style and sharp Scottish humour appeals to a range of age groups although the book is intended for an adult audience.

“Don’t Drink & Fly!” was shortlisted for The People’s Book Prize and is popular with readers in the UK, USA and Canada.

With the main character, Bernice, being a modern day Wiccan Witch, the trilogy falls out-with standard genres and into “Witch Lit”.  The trilogy deals with everyday problems including addiction, depression, domestic abuse, and illness, but is written with compassion, humour and hope.  Love, romantic encounters and humour are peppered throughout the plot. The character Bernice’s reactions to the turmoil in her life have her reaching for her Book of Shadows, crystals and (perhaps a little too often) a goblet of red wine.

In addition to this trilogy Cathie has written short stories, articles and poetry for various magazines, anthologies and other publications.  Her style of writing is unique and a bit of a roller coaster of emotions for any reader plucky enough to stick with it.

Cathie’s play “Mammy” toured the Glasgow Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe and Henley Festival 2011-2012.

Cathie was born in Glasgow, Scotland in the 1950s, and raised in a tenement flat on a council estate.  She is close to her extended family whom she says have given her fantastic ideas for her writing as they tend to be “daft as ducks”. She includes among her hobbies, reading, theatre, travel, food and comedy.