About
Anne Ludlow


I’m Anne – a female author who took the leap into writing later in life, armed with a head full of stories and a “why not?” attitude.
I didn’t come from a background of creative writing degrees or publishing connections. What I had was life - unpredictable, colourful, magical life - and a deep need to put it into words. My fiction books are rooted in real emotion, layered with complex relationships and a quiet but unshakable resilience.
Before I ever sat down at a keyboard, I’d already lived a dozen different lives. I’ve been a ballet student, a petrol pump attendant, a cleaner, a bus driver, a businesswoman, a fitness trainer and a fashion store owner. I’ve lived in Dubai before the skyscrapers, escaped Tehran during the revolution and built a life here in the UK as a wife, a mother, a grandmother and now a female author.
My first novel, The Gentleness of Steel, was years in the making, crafted through countless edits, tenacity and a fair few writing courses. It’s a story that means the world to me, because it reflects what I believe deeply, that even in the darkest circumstances, there’s strength, survival and hope.
Being a female author has become my second act and what a joy it is to finally step into it.
Hear My Story
Ever wondered what it’s like to become a female author after retirement? I’ve shared my journey to becoming a female author with WI groups, local book clubs and events and I’d love to come speak to your group about being a female author too.
If you run a book club, writing group, U3A or something similar in Sussex or Kent, I’d love to come along and speak.
Drop me an email at anneludlowauthor@gmail.com and tell me a bit about your group. I can’t wait to connect and share stories with you.