Zoe Lea
@zoeleawriter.bsky.social
Probably drinking tea right now and ready for a natter about books.
Closer Than She Thinks digital book is out and paperback next year. Visit me at www.zoelea.com Sign up to the newsletter https://zoelea.substack.com/
Closer Than She Thinks digital book is out and paperback next year. Visit me at www.zoelea.com Sign up to the newsletter https://zoelea.substack.com/
Pinned
Zoe Lea
@zoeleawriter.bsky.social
· Jan 4
Hello! I’m Zoe, and if you’re a writer, reader, or just someone who loves stories and creativity, welcome, we’re going to get along great.
You're a writer, and a bloody good one at that, so why, for the love of all that's holy, are you giving your brilliant emails the subject line of 'September Newsletter?'
September 9, 2025 at 9:12 AM
You're a writer, and a bloody good one at that, so why, for the love of all that's holy, are you giving your brilliant emails the subject line of 'September Newsletter?'
I went to the @HarrogateFest Crime Writing Festival in 2019. It was my first time there as an author with my psychological thriller, The Secretary, just published, and it was my first time going there alone.
I was terrified.
I was terrified.
July 15, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I went to the @HarrogateFest Crime Writing Festival in 2019. It was my first time there as an author with my psychological thriller, The Secretary, just published, and it was my first time going there alone.
I was terrified.
I was terrified.
Chatting to the amazing @kerisfox on Substack today and if you've signed up it just hit your inbox. She talks about the best advice for writing, setting up a Substack and all things books and bookish.
June 21, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Chatting to the amazing @kerisfox on Substack today and if you've signed up it just hit your inbox. She talks about the best advice for writing, setting up a Substack and all things books and bookish.
Oscar’s Journal: Part 4
I never meant to lie.
But you can’t tell someone the truth when they’re not ready to hear it.
Besides, people only ever believe what they want to believe.
And Louise?
She wanted the fantasy.
I just gave it to her.
— O.
I never meant to lie.
But you can’t tell someone the truth when they’re not ready to hear it.
Besides, people only ever believe what they want to believe.
And Louise?
She wanted the fantasy.
I just gave it to her.
— O.
Closer Than She Thinks: A gripping psychological thriller with a heart-stopping twist
Closer Than She Thinks: A gripping psychological thriller with a heart-stopping twist
f.mtr.cool
May 28, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Oscar’s Journal: Part 4
I never meant to lie.
But you can’t tell someone the truth when they’re not ready to hear it.
Besides, people only ever believe what they want to believe.
And Louise?
She wanted the fantasy.
I just gave it to her.
— O.
I never meant to lie.
But you can’t tell someone the truth when they’re not ready to hear it.
Besides, people only ever believe what they want to believe.
And Louise?
She wanted the fantasy.
I just gave it to her.
— O.
Louise’s Diary – Part 4
Oscar asked if I ever wanted to disappear.
I laughed. But the kind of laugh that hides a scream.
“No,” I said.
I lied.
— L.
Oscar asked if I ever wanted to disappear.
I laughed. But the kind of laugh that hides a scream.
“No,” I said.
I lied.
— L.
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
f.mtr.cool
May 26, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Louise’s Diary – Part 4
Oscar asked if I ever wanted to disappear.
I laughed. But the kind of laugh that hides a scream.
“No,” I said.
I lied.
— L.
Oscar asked if I ever wanted to disappear.
I laughed. But the kind of laugh that hides a scream.
“No,” I said.
I lied.
— L.
Oscar’s Journal: Part 3
She started asking questions.
About me. About us.
About her.
That’s when I knew I’d have to be careful.
People only dig when they’re looking for something they don’t want to find.
— O.
She started asking questions.
About me. About us.
About her.
That’s when I knew I’d have to be careful.
People only dig when they’re looking for something they don’t want to find.
— O.
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
f.mtr.cool
May 21, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Oscar’s Journal: Part 3
She started asking questions.
About me. About us.
About her.
That’s when I knew I’d have to be careful.
People only dig when they’re looking for something they don’t want to find.
— O.
She started asking questions.
About me. About us.
About her.
That’s when I knew I’d have to be careful.
People only dig when they’re looking for something they don’t want to find.
— O.
Louise’s Diary – Part 3
I saw someone today.
Or maybe I didn’t.
A flash of a face I didn’t know, or one I didn’t want to recognise.
They were standing across the street.
Watching.
I told myself it was nothing.
I’m still telling myself that.
— L.
I saw someone today.
Or maybe I didn’t.
A flash of a face I didn’t know, or one I didn’t want to recognise.
They were standing across the street.
Watching.
I told myself it was nothing.
I’m still telling myself that.
— L.
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
f.mtr.cool
May 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Louise’s Diary – Part 3
I saw someone today.
Or maybe I didn’t.
A flash of a face I didn’t know, or one I didn’t want to recognise.
They were standing across the street.
Watching.
I told myself it was nothing.
I’m still telling myself that.
— L.
I saw someone today.
Or maybe I didn’t.
A flash of a face I didn’t know, or one I didn’t want to recognise.
They were standing across the street.
Watching.
I told myself it was nothing.
I’m still telling myself that.
— L.
Oscar’s Journal: Part 2
Everyone thinks they know what a mistake looks like.
But it doesn’t always come with flashing lights and sirens.
Sometimes it walks into your life married and bored.
— O.
Everyone thinks they know what a mistake looks like.
But it doesn’t always come with flashing lights and sirens.
Sometimes it walks into your life married and bored.
— O.
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
f.mtr.cool
May 14, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Oscar’s Journal: Part 2
Everyone thinks they know what a mistake looks like.
But it doesn’t always come with flashing lights and sirens.
Sometimes it walks into your life married and bored.
— O.
Everyone thinks they know what a mistake looks like.
But it doesn’t always come with flashing lights and sirens.
Sometimes it walks into your life married and bored.
— O.
Louise’s Diary – Part 2
I told Paul I was at Spanish lessons.
Instead, I was doing something bad with someone else.
I didn’t even flinch when I lied. That’s what scared me most.
It felt… easy.
— L.
I told Paul I was at Spanish lessons.
Instead, I was doing something bad with someone else.
I didn’t even flinch when I lied. That’s what scared me most.
It felt… easy.
— L.
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
f.mtr.cool
May 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Louise’s Diary – Part 2
I told Paul I was at Spanish lessons.
Instead, I was doing something bad with someone else.
I didn’t even flinch when I lied. That’s what scared me most.
It felt… easy.
— L.
I told Paul I was at Spanish lessons.
Instead, I was doing something bad with someone else.
I didn’t even flinch when I lied. That’s what scared me most.
It felt… easy.
— L.
Friend: “How do you sleep after reading something that dark?”
Me: tucks book under pillow
Like a baby.
Me: tucks book under pillow
Like a baby.
May 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Friend: “How do you sleep after reading something that dark?”
Me: tucks book under pillow
Like a baby.
Me: tucks book under pillow
Like a baby.
Some people read thrillers to solve the mystery.
I read them to judge everyone’s life choices with a snack in hand, like a suspenseful little goblin.
I read them to judge everyone’s life choices with a snack in hand, like a suspenseful little goblin.
May 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Some people read thrillers to solve the mystery.
I read them to judge everyone’s life choices with a snack in hand, like a suspenseful little goblin.
I read them to judge everyone’s life choices with a snack in hand, like a suspenseful little goblin.
Oscar’s Journal: Part 1
She looked at me like she wasn’t sure she was allowed to.
Like no one had looked at her that way in a long time.
I didn’t touch her hand.
I didn’t have to.
The spark was already lit.
— O.
She looked at me like she wasn’t sure she was allowed to.
Like no one had looked at her that way in a long time.
I didn’t touch her hand.
I didn’t have to.
The spark was already lit.
— O.
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
Amazon.com: Zoe Lea
f.mtr.cool
May 7, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Oscar’s Journal: Part 1
She looked at me like she wasn’t sure she was allowed to.
Like no one had looked at her that way in a long time.
I didn’t touch her hand.
I didn’t have to.
The spark was already lit.
— O.
She looked at me like she wasn’t sure she was allowed to.
Like no one had looked at her that way in a long time.
I didn’t touch her hand.
I didn’t have to.
The spark was already lit.
— O.
My brain while reading a thriller:
“He did it. Wait, no — she did. No wait — OH MY GOD WHAT IF I DID??”
“He did it. Wait, no — she did. No wait — OH MY GOD WHAT IF I DID??”
May 6, 2025 at 1:30 PM
My brain while reading a thriller:
“He did it. Wait, no — she did. No wait — OH MY GOD WHAT IF I DID??”
“He did it. Wait, no — she did. No wait — OH MY GOD WHAT IF I DID??”
Louise’s Diary: Part 1
I shouldn’t have looked at him that long.
I watched him, transfixed and I became someone else.
Someone curious. Someone reckless. Someone alive.
I didn’t plan to see him again. But plans are funny things, aren’t they?
— L.
I shouldn’t have looked at him that long.
I watched him, transfixed and I became someone else.
Someone curious. Someone reckless. Someone alive.
I didn’t plan to see him again. But plans are funny things, aren’t they?
— L.
Closer Than She Thinks: A gripping psychological thriller with a heart-stopping twist
Louise never thought she'd be the sort of woman to have an affair. She's a good wife, a good mother and a good daughter - even if she is far from happy. But everything changes when Louise crosses paths with Oscar, a man fifteen years her junior. She knows what they're doing is wrong, but she ...
f.mtr.cool
May 5, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Louise’s Diary: Part 1
I shouldn’t have looked at him that long.
I watched him, transfixed and I became someone else.
Someone curious. Someone reckless. Someone alive.
I didn’t plan to see him again. But plans are funny things, aren’t they?
— L.
I shouldn’t have looked at him that long.
I watched him, transfixed and I became someone else.
Someone curious. Someone reckless. Someone alive.
I didn’t plan to see him again. But plans are funny things, aren’t they?
— L.
Sometimes I write relatable posts.
Sometimes I write about affairs, surveillance, and psychological collapse.
Today, I’m doing both.
Because nothing says “authentic author brand” like emotional whiplash and a book launch.
Sometimes I write about affairs, surveillance, and psychological collapse.
Today, I’m doing both.
Because nothing says “authentic author brand” like emotional whiplash and a book launch.
May 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Sometimes I write relatable posts.
Sometimes I write about affairs, surveillance, and psychological collapse.
Today, I’m doing both.
Because nothing says “authentic author brand” like emotional whiplash and a book launch.
Sometimes I write about affairs, surveillance, and psychological collapse.
Today, I’m doing both.
Because nothing says “authentic author brand” like emotional whiplash and a book launch.
My newsletter, imaginatively titled, 'Not even sure how to title this tbh' because it's a personal one, and I literally had no idea, has just gone out! Have a read here:
https://f.mtr.cool/cewqrqhtqn
https://f.mtr.cool/cewqrqhtqn
May 2, 2025 at 4:35 PM
My newsletter, imaginatively titled, 'Not even sure how to title this tbh' because it's a personal one, and I literally had no idea, has just gone out! Have a read here:
https://f.mtr.cool/cewqrqhtqn
https://f.mtr.cool/cewqrqhtqn
You say red flag.
I say plot development.
I say plot development.
May 2, 2025 at 10:01 AM
You say red flag.
I say plot development.
I say plot development.
If you’ve ever:
– Spied on a partner’s phone
– Overheard something in a café and built an entire backstory
– Said “I wouldn’t, but I get it…”
Then you’ll vibe with Closer Than She Thinks.
Read it. Judge no one.
– Spied on a partner’s phone
– Overheard something in a café and built an entire backstory
– Said “I wouldn’t, but I get it…”
Then you’ll vibe with Closer Than She Thinks.
Read it. Judge no one.
May 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM
If you’ve ever:
– Spied on a partner’s phone
– Overheard something in a café and built an entire backstory
– Said “I wouldn’t, but I get it…”
Then you’ll vibe with Closer Than She Thinks.
Read it. Judge no one.
– Spied on a partner’s phone
– Overheard something in a café and built an entire backstory
– Said “I wouldn’t, but I get it…”
Then you’ll vibe with Closer Than She Thinks.
Read it. Judge no one.
Reading thrillers has prepared me for:
– watching people too closely in cafés
– over-analyzing vague texts
– knowing where the exits are at all times
– watching people too closely in cafés
– over-analyzing vague texts
– knowing where the exits are at all times
April 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reading thrillers has prepared me for:
– watching people too closely in cafés
– over-analyzing vague texts
– knowing where the exits are at all times
– watching people too closely in cafés
– over-analyzing vague texts
– knowing where the exits are at all times
If a man ever says, “You can trust me,” and the book is a thriller… YOU RUN. YOU SPRINT. YOU DO NOT LOOK BACK.
April 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
If a man ever says, “You can trust me,” and the book is a thriller… YOU RUN. YOU SPRINT. YOU DO NOT LOOK BACK.
People: How do you write thrillers and parent at the same time?
Me: Easy. I’m always sleep-deprived, suspicious, and terrified someone’s behind me.
Also me: launches a book
You: reads it with the lights on
Me: Easy. I’m always sleep-deprived, suspicious, and terrified someone’s behind me.
Also me: launches a book
You: reads it with the lights on
April 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
People: How do you write thrillers and parent at the same time?
Me: Easy. I’m always sleep-deprived, suspicious, and terrified someone’s behind me.
Also me: launches a book
You: reads it with the lights on
Me: Easy. I’m always sleep-deprived, suspicious, and terrified someone’s behind me.
Also me: launches a book
You: reads it with the lights on
My book has:
✔️ An affair
✔️ A woman who’s lying
✔️ A man who’s definitely lying
✔️ A third party watching everything
✔️ A twist you won’t see coming
You know, just your classic “romance-meets-creepy-cam” energy.
✔️ An affair
✔️ A woman who’s lying
✔️ A man who’s definitely lying
✔️ A third party watching everything
✔️ A twist you won’t see coming
You know, just your classic “romance-meets-creepy-cam” energy.
Closer Than She Thinks: A gripping psychological thriller with a heart-stopping twist
Louise never thought she'd be the sort of woman to have an affair. She's a good wife, a good mother and a good daughter - even if she is far from happy. But everything changes when Louise crosses paths with Oscar, a man fifteen years her junior. She knows what they're doing is wrong, but she ...
f.mtr.cool
April 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
My book has:
✔️ An affair
✔️ A woman who’s lying
✔️ A man who’s definitely lying
✔️ A third party watching everything
✔️ A twist you won’t see coming
You know, just your classic “romance-meets-creepy-cam” energy.
✔️ An affair
✔️ A woman who’s lying
✔️ A man who’s definitely lying
✔️ A third party watching everything
✔️ A twist you won’t see coming
You know, just your classic “romance-meets-creepy-cam” energy.
Reading a thriller is 20% plot, 80% yelling “BABE NOOOO” at the main character like they can hear me through the pages.
April 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reading a thriller is 20% plot, 80% yelling “BABE NOOOO” at the main character like they can hear me through the pages.
Louise thought she was in control.
Oscar thought no one would find out.
Someone else… knew everything.
If you like your thrillers tense, twisty, and full of poor decisions:
👉 Closer Than She Thinks
Paperback is out in June. Bring wine.
Oscar thought no one would find out.
Someone else… knew everything.
If you like your thrillers tense, twisty, and full of poor decisions:
👉 Closer Than She Thinks
Paperback is out in June. Bring wine.
April 24, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Louise thought she was in control.
Oscar thought no one would find out.
Someone else… knew everything.
If you like your thrillers tense, twisty, and full of poor decisions:
👉 Closer Than She Thinks
Paperback is out in June. Bring wine.
Oscar thought no one would find out.
Someone else… knew everything.
If you like your thrillers tense, twisty, and full of poor decisions:
👉 Closer Than She Thinks
Paperback is out in June. Bring wine.