Tracey Iceton
Author & Editor
Coming Soon
Sparky My Barn Owl Story
Hatched in the UK in August 2017, Sparky is a captive-bred barn owl. Raised by humans, living with them, she accepts them as essential to her life, benefiting from the security they can provide, but suffering under the uncertainty they can inflict.
And here, thanks to her current human, t-raay-cee, Sparky recounts her unique story. By turns heart warming and disturbing, Sparky offers an owl’s-eye view of her relationship with her human mates and her search for a special human to bond with lifelong.
A mesmerising and ambitious work that crosses genres and raises important questions about how we can connect deeply with the more-than-human world.
News
Publication Date Set
Cinnamon Press have confirmed that Tracey Iceton's fifth book, Sparky: My Barn Owl Story, will be released on 11th May 2026.
The book, a semi (auto) biographical work, tells the story of the barn owl, Sparky, that Tracey rescued in 2022. Blending fact and fiction, it recounts how Sparky and Tracey become 'mates' while imagining what Sparky's life pre-Tracey was like.
Details of author talks/readings and book signings will be announced in the coming months. It is hoped that the star of the book, Sparky, will even may an appearance at a few special events!
Book Launch
Announced
Details of the launch of Sparky - My Barn Owl Story have been announced. The launch event will take place on Friday, 22nd May, 7-9pm at Blackwell Grange Hotel in Darlington, in the George Allen Suite.
Tracey said, "I'm really excited about the launch and grateful to Blackwell Grange Hotel for hosting this unusual event as they are happy to welcome Sparky and have even said I am able to fly her indoors should the weather prevent us using their lovely grounds as our flying site."
Tea, coffee and cake will be provided, with other refreshments available to purchase. Tracey will talk about and read from the book followed by a Q&A. There will also be chance for attendees to buy books at a special discount and get them signed by the author herself.
Then Sparky will steal the show with her aerial acrobatics and a chance for people to snap the book's star in action.
The launch is free to attend but places are limited so please contact Tracey using the form below if you would like to be part of this special event.
About
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Tracey Iceton is the author of four previous books. Her Celtic Colours Trilogy (2016-2019, Cinnamon Press ) tells the story of a hundred years of Troubles in Ireland, following one family through four generations of the conflict from the Easter Rising to the Brexit Vote. Rock God Complex: The Mickey Hunter Story (2020, Cinnamon Press) recounts the exploits of Crown & Kingdom’s legendary guitarist Mickey Hunter.
Tracey’s articles and short stories have appeared in national and international journals, magazines and anthologies. She has won or been shortlisted in several notable writing competitions. Her doctorate, Troubles Women (2017, Northumbria University), was a practice-led creative writing project exploring the portrayal of female paramilitary protagonists in Troubles fiction.
Tracey’s current work-in-progress, Sparky: My Barn Owl Story (to be released Spring 2026, Cinnamon Press) is Sparky’s semi-(auto)biographical account of life before, and since, she and Tracey met in 2022.
Formerly an English and creative writing teacher, Tracey continues to work with emerging writers, offering mentoring and editing. But most of her time is divided between home life with her husband, cats and birds of prey, animal rescue volunteering and running, which she took up in case she ever needs to chase a furred or feathered friend.
Events
Book Launch
Friday, 22nd May, 7-9pm Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington. Free event but please register by contacting Tracey through the contacts page below. Tea, coffee and cake provided.
Join Tracey as she launches Sparky - My Barn Owl Story with a talk, reading and book signing. Plus special guest appearance from the book's star. Sparky will make a rare public appearance, pose for photos and show off her aerial abilities in a flying display.
Author Appearance
Sunday, 24th May, 10am-4pm, Baytree Owl & Raptor Centre, Lincolnshire. Entry fee to Baytree Owl Centre applies.
Meet Tracey at the wonderful Baytree Owl Centre in Spalding for this book signing and author talk plus a chance to see Baytree's amazing birds of prey in action during the centre's flying displays.
Book Stall and Owl Flying Display
Sunday, 7th June, 8.30am-12pm, Sedgefield Farmers Market, The Green, Sedgefield, Stockton on Tees. Free Event.
Meet Tracey and Sparky at Sedgefield's wonderful monthly Farmers Market this June. There is chance to chat to Tracey about her experiences with Sparky and writing about it all. Copies of the book will be available for sale at a special discount and you can even get yours signed by the author. Plus there's a rare chance to see Sparky in action in a mini flying display (weather permitting).
Author Event
Thursday, 9th July, 7-9pm, Drakes Bookshop, Stockton-on-Tees. Please contact Drakes directly to book, places limited.
Meet Tracey and Sparky at Stockton's award-winning independent bookshop, Drakes. There will be an author reading/talk/Q&A and book signing plus another opportunity for readers to meet the book's star, Sparky.
