Sue Reed is preparing for the launch of her second novel, Molly McFlynn Goes Rogue, on 28 September, exactly three years after the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree. The book is deeply rooted in the landscape, history and folklore of the North East, where Sue lives.
From chance encounter to published author
The road to becoming an author began with a chance encounter in a supermarket car park with a retired psychotherapist. At the time, Sue, now 63, was struggling with fatty liver disease and emotions that had been suppressed for years. The therapist encouraged her to write to find her voice and free the pain she had 'tufted down'.
Despite a lifelong dream of writing, Sue said: “I’d always wanted to write but I genuinely believed I wasn’t clever enough.” She was encouraged to apply for a Creative Writing MA at Newcastle University just before her 60th birthday and took the leap of faith. Despite initially feeling out of place as an older student, she persevered, with lecturers describing her writing as 'a most unique narrative voice'.
Molly McFlynn's origin and the Sycamore Gap story
The character of Molly McFlynn was born during Sue's module in Writing for Children and Young Adults, led by Berwick upon Tweed playwright and novelist Ann Coburn. Sue credits returning to university in her late fifties with completely changing her outlook on life.
Her first novel, The Rewilding of Molly McFlynn, was published in 2023. The sequel takes Molly's story in a new direction, inspired by the felling of one of Northumberland's most recognisable landmarks. The novel blends historical adventure, magical realism and environmental storytelling, following Molly as she is drawn to the Sycamore Gap on the night before the tree is felled. She is swept back to ancient Britain, to the world of Iron Age tribes, druids and old magic, while Hadrian's Wall is being constructed.
Grief, hope and 'actionism'
Sue said: “So many people remember when the Sycamore Gap fell.” The tree was a place of memories for many, and the grief shared by the region echoes throughout the novel. One of the main messages of the book is the impact of grief and the conversations and emotions that can be buried, but also finding hope in dark times and turning it into what Sue calls 'actionism'.
Sue hopes the book “for young people it opens up those conversations about grief.” She added: “I’ve discovered it’s never too late to begin again. Writing has opened a whole new world and I feel happier and healthier than I’ve ever been. I may be in my sixties now, but it is as if a sluice gate has been opened and the words are pouring out. I have so many stories to tell.”
The novel has already attracted praise from award-winning nature writer Nicola Chester, who described Molly as “fresh-thinking and deeply relevant… full of warmth, fire and belief in what’s right.” Author Victoria Bennet said: “It’s a heartfelt, hopeful story. Celebrating the power of finding your voice and standing up for what matters.”
Sue Reed will be in Newcastle at the Lit and Phil on Saturday 28 November 2026 for the Books on the Tyne Festival. Readers can also purchase Molly McFlynn Goes Rogue on Amazon or from Sue's website.
