Tracey Iceton
Author & Editor
Out Now!
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
Sparky Steals the Show at Book Launch
Sparky and Tracey kicked off the bank holiday weekend with the launch of Sparky - My Barn Owl Story at Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington.
Tracey talked about how she came to write the book and read from it but Sparky was the real star of the evening when she joined Tracey in front of a packed room of attendees all eager to meet Sparky in person and see her fly.
After a talk about Sparky and barn owls in general, Tracey and Sparky then took their audience outside for a flying display. Luckily the weather was perfect for flying, being warm, dry and not windy - barn owls can't fly in strong winds or rain as their silent flight feathers are too delicate. Sparky thoroughly embraced the experience of flying free in the beautiful grounds at Blackwell, going back and forth several times as the delighted audience looked on from the hotel terrace just feet away. Tracey said, "I was really happy that Sparky put on such a good show for people. I admit I was nervous beforehand for Sparky, as she was flying at an unfamiliar venue and in front of the biggest crowd she's ever had. But she was a true professional and didn't disappoint."
Tracey and Sparky are now looking forward to meeting more of Sparky's growing fan club at upcoming events, starting with Sedgefield Farmer's Market on 7th June. For details of other events please see below.
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.
Please note - book sales at all events are CASH only. Thank you!
Events
Done and Dusted - Thank you for joining us, hope you had a good time. Special thanks if you bought a book from me or a mouse for Sparky.
Book Launch
Friday, 22nd May, 7-9pm Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington.
Tracey and Sparky would like to thank everyone who came along to celebrate the launch of Sparky - My Barn Owl Story. Many thanks for the support and especial thanks to those who bought a book or who contributed to Sparky's 'Buy me a mouse' jar.
Sparky stealing the show at the Blackwell Grange book launch.
Author Appearance
Sunday, 24th May, 10am-4pm, Baytree Owl & Raptor Centre, Lincolnshire. Massive thank you to Mark and his team at Baytree Owl and Raptor Centre for their warm welcome and support of Sparky - My Barn Owl Story. It was a great day out - if you live in Lincolnshire and love birds of prey this is the place for you.
Book Stall and Owl Flying Display
Sunday, 7th June, 8.30am-12pm, Sedgefield Farmers Market, The Green, Sedgefield, Stockton on Tees. Free Event.
Huge thanks to Mike, the SDT volunteers and everyone who came along to the market to meet Sparky. Special thanks if you bought a book or treated Sparky to a mouse!
Author Talk, Reading and Book Signing
2pm, Sunday 7th June, Back of Beyond Books, Church View, Sedgefield
A wonderful, intimate event at this fabulous indie bookshop. Many thanks to Lucy and Sarah for their warm welcome and their passion for great books. There are still 2 signed copies of Sparky - My Barn Owl Story in stock so if you didn't get one yet support your local bookshop and pop in for a copy of the book and great coffee!
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Looking Forward To - You can still catch me, and Sparky, at the following upcoming events so hope to see you there.
Meet the Author
Saturday, 20th June, 10.30am-3.30pm, Potter's World, Lanchester Garden Centre, County Durham. Entry fee to Potter's World applies.
Meet Tracey at the fantastic Potter's World Zoo for this chance to chat to the author, get a signed book and see Potter's World's amazing birds of prey in action during the centre's flying displays.
Online Book Launch - Memorable fiction and memoir
Tuesday, 23rd June, 7.30pm (BST) Zoom Event hosted by Cinnamon Press. Free event but please register using the Cinnamon Press link.
Join Tracey Iceton, Alexina Dalgetty & Jan Fortune launching memorable fiction and memoir, Sparky: my barn owl story, A Crack in the Map & At the Heart’s Farthest Edge. The authors will talk about and read from their works plus take part in a Q&A with online attendees. Books will be available for sale at a special discount though Cinnamon Press.
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.
Meet the Author
Saturday, 18th July, 10.30am-3.30pm, Potter's World, Lanchester Garden Centre, County Durham. Entry fee to Potter's World applies.
Start the summer holidays with a second chance to catch Tracey at the fantastic Potter's World Zoo. Chat to the author, get a signed book and see Potter's World's amazing birds of prey in action during the centre's flying displays.
Meet the Author
Saturday, 1st August*, 11am-3pm, Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Lostock Hall near Preston. Entry fee to Turbary Woods Sanctuary applies.
Meet Tracey at the North West's finest owl and bird of prey sanctuary. Chat to the author and snap up a signed book. Plus enjoy a brief author talk and see Turbary's amazing owls and birds of prey in action during the centre's flying displays.
*Weather dependant event, please check for updates if forecast is for rain/high winds
Meet the Author and the star of the book!
Tuesday, 4th August, 10.30am-3pm, World of James Herriot, Thirsk. Entry fee to the World of James Herriot applies.
Celebrate International Owl Awareness Day by joining Tracey and Sparky at this award winning visitor attraction and home of the world's most famous vet, James Herriot. Chat to the author, get a signed book, meet Sparky at one of her rare personal appearances and see her in action in a mini flying display (1pm weather permitting).
Author talk, reading, Q& A and flying display
Sunday, 27th September, 2-3pm, Lumley Castle, Chester-le-Street. Tickets £14.95, book directly with Lumley Castle.
Join Tracey and Sparky as they take part in Lumley Castle's wonderful 'Talks and Teas' events. Enjoy a cream tea, hear Tracey talk about how she and Sparky ended up together, hear readings from the book then see Sparky in action in a flying display in the beautiful castle grounds (please note: flying display will be indoors in the event of adverse weather). There will also be chance to buy signed copies of the book.
Please note - book sales at all events are CASH only. Thank you!
Events - TBC
You can also catch Tracey at the following places, details to be confirmed soon so check back for updates.
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Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre, Northumberland July 2026
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Haggerston Castle Bird of Prey and Reptile Centre, Berwick-upon-Tweed August 2026
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Muncaster Castle Hawk & Owl Centre, Ravenglass, Cumbria Autumn 2026