Holly Smith-Williams
Novelist & Screenwriter
I write psychologically rich thrillers that delve into the darker corners of human behaviour. My stories are driven by layered characters, morally complex choices, and twists that feel both surprising and inevitable. Dark, suspenseful and laced with moments of humour, they invite readers to ask themselves one unsettling question: What would I do?I write novels, develop original television drama and short films, creating work designed to hold attention and carry across formats.I’m part of the 2025 cohort for the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters’ Lab, and the winner of the Murder in the Mayor’s Parlour crime writing competition.When a school becomes obsessed with creating the perfect pupil.
"A bold, propulsive script."
- The AlumniThemes of obsession and manipulation with Liv, her fan and her stalker, all using each other to serve their own aims.
- In Her Good NameUnder the cover of darkness, the authorities aren't able to watch over you, people revert to their base instincts and commit the acts of violence they might have always wanted to.
- When The Lights Go Out
Get Lost in the Stories
Novels, TV & Film ScriptsEcho Lake
Psychological Horror | Novel & Film
A boy is discovered in the lake — yet his mother has just left him sleeping upstairs. What follows is a slow unravelling of reality, where certainty disappears and something much darker moves closer. A psychological horror where grief, paranoia, and the supernatural intertwine.In Her Good Name
Psychological thriller | Novel & TV series
Love, deception, and danger collide in this thriller-dark romance hybrid, where secrets are more powerful than love — and far more deadly.The Alumni
Psychological thriller | TV series
Thirty years after a death at her old school, a CEO returns for a careers day — only for a storm to lock the building down and her daughter to vanish. Trapped inside, she uncovers an institution built on control, reputation, and the quiet removal of those who don’t fit.
A high-stakes action-psychological thriller.When The Lights Go Out
Ensemble survival thriller | TV series
A sudden nationwide blackout cuts power across Britain. On one northern cul-de-sac, neighbours turn on each other as fear spreads, resources run low, and the rules that held them together begin to fall apart.
Survival drama. The Purge meets BrooksideGreywick Staithe: Spring Tide
Coastal Gothic Crime | Novel
When a body is left tangled in a wreck after an unusually high tide, a woman returning home to care for her mother begins to question the official story — and the village determined to keep it that way.Back & Fourth
Dark comedy thriller | Short film
A bestselling crime writer draws inspiration from her chiropractor — who may or may not be a murderer. As their relationship deepens, the line between research and reality begins to blur.One More Day
Supernatural drama | Short film
A woman returns to her grandparents’ home and is given a brief, impossible chance to spend time with the grandfather she lost — if she’s willing to accept what comes with it.Bad Dog
Drama | Monologue
After a humiliating job interview, a woman confronts age, identity, and the quiet pressure to make herself smaller in order to be accepted.Publications
Brilliance & Bastardry I share original fiction, essays, and the unfiltered process of turning my writing life into a business.👉 Follow me on Instagram for updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and the occasional unhinged thought.
Achievements & Features
📖 Winner of the WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters' Lab 2025 with the pilot TV script, The Alumni, and the winner of the Murder In The Mayor's Parlour Crime Writing Competition with Tough Day At Work.
🎙️ Featured on BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Uploads discussing my article 24 Hours on Tinder as a Married Woman.
Press & Media
For Media & Interview Requests
For interview opportunities, guest appearances, or media features, please contact me via the Contact Form or email [your email here].I am available for:
✅ Interviews (TV, radio, podcasts, blogs, magazines)
✅ Guest Articles & Opinion Pieces
✅ Speaking Engagements & Panel Discussions
✅ Collaboration RequestsFor a faster response, please include your publication name, deadline, and any key details in your inquiry.
Recent Media Features & Achievements
🎙️ BBC Radio Sheffield & BBC Uploads
⭐️ WFTV Kay Mellor Screenwriters' Lab 2025 (The Alumni)
📖 Winner of The Murder In The Mayor’s Parlour Crime Writing Competition (Tough Day At Work)I’m always open to discussing crime fiction, psychological thrillers, screenwriting, novel writing and much more.
Downloadable Media Kit
📸 High-resolution author photos
📖 Book synopses & excerpts
🎙️ Suggested Interview Questions
📄 Press Releases & Announcements
Topics I Can Speak About
💬 Scriptwriting for film and TV – What holds attention on screen, how TV and film demand different approaches to story, and how working as a supporting artist gave me a practical understanding of how scripts translate in production.
💬 Writing Psychological Thrillers & Eerie Fiction – The themes behind Echo Lake and my approach to suspense-driven narratives.
💬 The Intersection of Thriller & Romance – How I blend tension, mystery, and emotion.
💬 Building an Author Platform & Business – Navigating Substack, social media, advertising and online engagement as a writer.
Want to Feature Me? Let’s Talk.
Fill out the Contact Form or email me at [email protected], and I’ll get back to you soon.📍 Follow for Updates – Instagram | Substack | Facebook
Contact
Have a question, media request, or want to chat about fiction? I’d love to hear from you.
Thank you
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