Conk - A Magical-Realism Tale About a Boy in Care

Aim

To publish Conk, a magical‑realism tale about a boy in care, courage, healing and friendship.

Hello, I’m Tracey — a children’s fiction writer and youth worker from the Wirral. I’ve spent my career supporting children and families, especially those navigating the effects of parental mental health and the care system. Conk is the story I’ve carried with me for years.

I completed a Masters in Creative Writing, which helped shape the early development of Conk and strengthened my craft. My writing was also shortlisted for the Mentoring Writers Writer Mentorship Award 2023, part of the Page Turner Awards partnership categories. I’ve developed this story over many years alongside full-time work and caring responsibilities, and I’m now crowdfunding to carve out the protected time needed to finish it.

Conk is a magical‑realism tale about a boy in care who discovers courage, healing and friendship through the natural world. It’s gentle, hopeful and rooted in the real emotional journeys children face when life becomes complicated. My aim is to create a story that helps children feel seen, supported and less alone — and to give adults a way to open conversations that matter.

I’m crowdfunding to bring Conk to life: to fund professional editing, illustration, design and publication. With your support, I can create a book that reaches children who need it most — a story filled with magic, nature, bravery and heart. I’ve included a few gentle rewards for supporters, including early access to chapters and signed copies once the book is complete.

£10,000 allows me to reduce my work hours for six months so I can finish the manuscript, complete professional editing, and prepare the book for publication.

• £7,200 — living support while reducing work hours (£1,200/month)

• £1,200 — professional editing

• £600 — cover design + formatting for submission materials

• £1,000 — campaign fees, printing, and reward fulfilment

Every donation, no matter the amount, helps me carve out the time to finish this book. Thank you for believing in this boy’s journey. Your support means more than you know.

This project successfully funded on 6th September 2026