3 September 2025
On Wednesdays on social media, people use the hashtag #WriterWednesday to chat about all things author, book and writing, including authors promoting their own work. As I love to support self-published writers, I thought I’d join in and will be featuring a UK self-published writer every Wednesday on the website.
This week, I met Essex writer Courtney O’Shea to find out more…
Please tell everyone about yourself; when did you first become interested in writing?
My name is Courtney O’Shea. I’m 29, and I grew up in Essex, where I’ve been a keen horse rider since I was young. Spending so much time outdoors, especially on rides through the local parks, I began to notice how litter was affecting these beautiful spaces. My mum has always been the ‘litter-picking queen,’ going out of her way to clean up and care for our local environment. Seeing her dedication inspired me to think more deeply about the impact of littering and how important it is to protect the spaces we love.
Although my career is in investments, storytelling has always been close to my heart. I believe stories have a special power to inspire change, especially for children. My work in investments has also given me a long-term perspective on how small actions add up over time—whether in finance or in environmental care. Writing a children’s book about the importance of not littering felt like the perfect way to reach young readers and help them see that even small efforts can make a difference.
Through my book, I wanted to create a story that would inspire children to care for their surroundings, just as my mum has always done. My hope is that it sparks conversations between children, parents, and teachers, encouraging young readers to recognise that they too have the power to protect the world around them.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I was very lucky to have the opportunity to go to an amazing primary school, Ursuline Prep, where we had so many opportunities to practice storytelling. It was there that my love for writing really began to take shape. I can’t remember the very first story I wrote, but knowing my younger self, I’d imagine it involved horses—they were my favourite subject even back then! Ursuline Prep really encouraged us to be creative and explore different topics through writing. That early foundation in writing gave me the confidence to eventually pursue my dream of writing a book.
What genre/genres does your book fall under?
Children’s fiction/picture book.
What is your latest book called, what is it about and what was the inspiration behind the book?
My latest book is called Justin the Dustbin, and it’s all about teaching children the importance of not littering and caring for our environment. The inspiration came from my mum, who I like to call the ‘litter-picking queen.’ She’s always been incredibly dedicated to keeping our community clean, often going out on her own to pick up litter in parks and local areas. Watching her take such pride in caring for our surroundings made me realise how much even small actions can make a difference.
I wanted to pass that message on to children in a way that’s fun and engaging, helping them understand that they have the power to protect their world too. In Justin the Dustbin, I created characters and a story that children can connect with, showing them that keeping their environment clean is something they can do—and something that really matters.
Besides your current book, do you have any new projects coming up?
No other projects in the pipeline at the moment, but if Justin is well received, there’s no reason why he can’t travel the world and go on more adventures in a series of books!
Where can people find your book?
Available on our website and on Amazon.
What has been the greatest moment in your writing career?
The greatest moment so far has been visiting my old primary school and having the opportunity to read to a number of classes. It was amazing to be back in such a wonderful place and see how the story is received first hand. We have also been very lucky to have been given the opportunity to send the book for consideration for Oprah’s Christmas list! This was another hightlight, going to the post office with a parcel addressed to Oprah Winfrey was not something I had imagined would ever happen!
Besides writing, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy in your spare time?
Horses are my absolute passion and keep me very busy—I’ve been riding since I was young, and I love spending as much time as possible around them. Beyond that, I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends; they’re such an important part of my life. I also try to fit in running whenever I can. It’s a great way to unwind and clear my mind, especially with a busy schedule. These hobbies give me a nice balance between staying active, connecting with loved ones, and recharging.
Which novelists do you admire?
I wish I had more time to read but I absolutely love reading in any spare time I have. For holiday reading, I adore Tasmina Perry’s books – an easy, relaxing read with many twists and turns. For children’s books, my favourite was always “we’re going on a bear hunt” and I hope that Justin is one day half as popular!
What has been the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
The best piece of advice I’ve received for writing a children’s book is to always see things through a child’s eyes. Children are naturally curious, and they respond to stories that are simple, fun, and relatable. When writing for children, it’s important to keep the language accessible and make the characters and message engaging without being overly complex. Every word counts, so aim to tell a big story with few words—something that sticks with them and sparks their imagination.
Also, think about the lessons you want to impart in a way that feels playful and natural. Children love learning when it doesn’t feel like a lesson, so embedding those messages subtly, through relatable characters or a fun storyline, can make all the difference.
Do you have any tips or advice for other indie authors?
If you have an idea, go for it! You won’t know if it will succeed unless you try it. It’s so easy to keep putting it off but you will never regret giving it a chance!
You can find out more about Courtney and her work on her website or via Amazon, Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.
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