Tabatha Stirling [Stirling - Bitter Leaves

Tabatha Stirling is a published writer, poet, book cover artist and indie publisher living in Edinburgh, Scotland with her husband, two children and a depressed beagle, called The Beagle.

Her publishing credits include LITRO, Spelk, Literary Orphans, Mslexia, Feminine Collective, Sick Lit Mag, Scottish PEN and The Magnolia Review.

An extract of her addiction memoir is to be published in the Wild and Precious Life anthology edited by Lily Dunn and Zoe Gilbert.

When shes not writing, reading grimdark fiction or designing she enjoys watching dark, blood-splattered dramas like The Walking Dead, Ray Donovan and Sons of Anarchy. Tabby is absolutely ready for a zombie apocalypse.

First and foremost, I dedicate this book to Clarita Dumadora Baer. My heart sister and great friend whom I based the character Lucilla on, and she was kind enough to let me use her mothers name for the characters name.

Without her testimony and courage and the moving accounts from so many maids and helpers in Singapore this book could never have been written.

Thank you, Clarie Bell, Mahal kita po. Xx

To my darling Bub and Boo you have made me a better woman, person and mother. Your love is a blessing and gives me so much strength.

And my Papa Love for being the first person to actually tell me to commit to my writing or just give it up but make a choice. And I did.

To my mother, Diana, life will never be the same again. Youve gone and I miss you every day. So much I want to share and cant, but your loss has helped me to produce some of my best work so your influence still shines through.

And my father, Brod Brodhurst, in your words, a bit of a bastard but I do what I can. I loved you anyway.

Robs, my brother God! I miss you. I wish youd see your worth and brilliance because I do.

Desiree and my darling Rory and Gabs. Dont see you much but know that I love you.

Ria and Auntie Colin. My BFFs. Probably wouldnt be here if it wasnt for you both. Constant love and support, worry and acceptance you are both beautiful human beings. And to my Godsnorks, Louis, Ella-Jane and Elsie.

To my Muv and Farv thank you for being so supportive of my endeavours and forgiving of my foibles. Best in-laws in the world and Rachael, Abi, Owain, Corey and Stuart.

Johnny Coburn because well, you know. x

Authonomy friends so much talent. Kate, Angelika, Big O, Mr Maitland, Bradley Darewood, Skippy, Di Dickson, Sebnem, Matteon, Katerina, Nutkin & Russell, my favourite reds; Polly (if I only had half your talent); Ellie (first review on Authonomy, which snowballed because you are so respected thank you); Tottie Limejuice bonkers and glorious; Tee Tyson so full of grace; Robarticus also bonkers and glorious and a brilliant actor take note Hollywood but hide your green plants! And all in our Facebook Write and Rant group.

Once upon a time there was an online writer platform called Authonomy. It was a complex and at times quite insane window into the minds and craft of writers. This was the first outing for Bitter Leaves, formerly Blood on the Banana Leaf, and it was a wild ride. I met some incredible friends and extraordinary talent and if I missed anyone please forgive me.

To all my Unbound author chums Colgers, Sarah, Helen, Ian, Shona, Emily and the rest of the Unbound Social Club.

To the Society of Authors for the encouragement and safe harbour. Your ongoing support is just brilliant and generous grant was vital to my work.

To the ones Ive lost. Judith Williamson: oh! darling Jude, how I miss you. So much more for you to have written so much more to discover about each other. Swing on, sister x

To my editor Scott Pack, who found me on Twitter and put up with my Aeschlyean tragedy that was happening because writers are needy buggers, arent they? To Mary Chesshyre frankly my respect for copy editors has risen stratospherically because of her insight, ideas and thoughtfulness thank you.

To Lesley Glaister, Jean Rhys, Lionel Shriver, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Simone de Beauvoir, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Flannery OConnor, Denise Mina: your contributions to literature and blinding talent have shaped me into the writer I am today. Thanks doesnt seem enough but you have mine. To Sylvia Plath for showing me how poetry should be written authentic, brave, true.

To the first reviewers on The Pigeonhole, in particular Lesley and Pheadra. Incredible reviews that made my heart sing enorme merci.

To everybody at my super-cute publisher, Unbound, for the support and for publishing my book; they have given writers a credible but unconventional route to traditional publishing.

Everybody who pledged for Bitter Leaves this is your book too.

All the maids and helpers in Singapore and all over the world I hope they see you now, brave women.