Shona Riddell, who lives in New Zealand, has been writing for as long as she can remember. Both of her parents were writers, and Shona’s first article was published in 2000 in the New Zealand Herald. She was hooked, and in 2002 she completed a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Auckland University of Technology. Since then she’s worked as a magazine writer, web writer and editor, and as content marketer for several companies.
Shona’s latest book, Guiding Lights, shares the stories of lighthouse women from around the world and through the centuries, including heroic female keepers, isolated families, dedicated caretakers – and the lingering ‘ghosts’ of old lighthouses. The book includes more than 100 photos, paintings, and portraits, and also extracts from poems, books, and old newspaper clippings. The book is published by Exisle Publishing and is being released in October.
Shona spoke from her home in Wellington, New Zealand, to Light Hearted host Jeremy D’Entremont in late August for this interview.
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Jeremy D’Entremont is the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He is the president and historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and founder of Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses, and he has lectured and narrated cruises throughout the Northeast and in other regions. He is also the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society podcast, “Light Hearted.” He can be emailed at Jeremy@uslhs.org
I feel a kinship with this woman!
I can see that, Elinor! You definitely have a lot in common. It was fun speaking with her for the podcast. We need to get you on one of these weeks!
Love that you’ve featured another woman, and a writer, in learning a different perspective of lighthouses! Thank you!
Thanks, Ellyn. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Shona and her book is excellent. I think you’ll enjoy an upcoming interview with Australian author Dianne Wolfer about her book “Lighthouse Girl.” It will be released in two parts in early January.