Writing

Writing

Over the past four decades, my work has been published in leading magazines and national newspapers, including 15 years of contributing to the Financial Times. More recently, I have concentrated mainly on books, with my most recent design title, ‘Craft Britain’ (co-authored with David Linley) bringing together many strands of my expertise. This year also marked the publication of my first novel, Gap Year.

In addition, I now run weekend courses, Find Your Writing Voice, so please contact me for details and dates.

I am represented by Caroline Michel of PFD: cmichel@pfd.co.uk

Latest publications

Craft Britain

Craft is at the very heart of British identity, from stained-glass windows in country churches to the Enid Blyton charm of thatched houses and the ceremonial livery worn by horses at Buckingham Palace. The burgeoning of digital craftsmanship is also enriching ground-breaking technologies, including microbial weaving and bespoke-made vessels for growing human tissue. Craft Britain brings together watchmakers with saddlers; bell casters with neon benders; shoemakers with silversmiths; potters with orrery-makers; stonemasons with weavers; embroiderers with basket-makers – and a myriad other craft traditions. It is a timely reminder that our rich culture of making is still dynamic and relevant today.

Craft Britain by Helen Chislett and David Linley published by OH editions, 2022

Gap Year by Helen Chislett

Gap Year

Twelve Months That Changed Two Lives

When her daughter, Grace, leaves for a gap year in Paris, Isobel is consumed with regret for her own lost dreams and mourns her pre-motherhood self. Frustration grows into bitterness against her husband, Robert; the bookshop in Rye from which they derive their precarious income; the decline of her ageing parents, and the feeling that life has passed her by. When she meets George – suave and handsome father to Grace’s American friend, Nina – a flicker of her old self is re-ignited. Then one snowy morning, she slips on the ice, setting off a chain of events that will forever change her life. The Gap Year of the title refers as much to Isobel’s ‘year out’ as Grace’s.

Eighteen year-old, Grace, is on a parallel rite of passage, attending language classes and living with the elegant octogenarian, Madame Chirol, widow of a famous French Resistance fighter. At its heart, 
Gap Year is a story of mothers and daughters: Isobel and Grace; Isobel and her own mother, Pam; Nina and her dead mother, Mellany.

Ina the Divine

Ina the Divine, privately published, 2024

Modern English Interiors by Todhunter Earle, published by Vendome, 2021

Interior by Louise Bradley, published by Merrell, 2021

Our First Book by Darwin, Sinke & van Tongeren, Lannoo, 2017

Our First Book by Darwin, Sinke & van Tongeren, published by Lannoo, 2018

Camera in Motion book cover

Camera in Motion by Rolf Sachs, published by Kehrer Verlag, 2016

Villa Collina by Shirley Hill

Villa Collina by Shirley Hill, privately published, 2016

Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass, published by Jacqui Small, 2013

Kelly Hoppen Design Masterclass, published by Jacqui Small, 2013

Garden, published by Frances Lincoln, 2011

Garden, published by Frances Lincoln, 2011

Star Pieces, The Enduring Beauty of Spectacular Furniture, published by Thames & Hudson, 2009

Star Pieces, The Enduring Beauty of Spectacular Furniture, published by Thames & Hudson, 2009

Marks In Time: 125 Years of Marks & Spencer, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2009

Marks In Time: 125 Years of Marks & Spencer, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2009

Kelly Hoppen Home, published by Jacqui Small, 2007

Kelly Hoppen Home, published by Jacqui Small, 2007

Kelly Hoppen Style, published by Jacqui Small, 2004

Kelly Hoppen Style, published by Jacqui Small, 2004

Contributor to New Dictionary of National Biography, published by Oxford University Press, 2004

Contributor to New Dictionary of National Biography, published by Oxford University Press, 2004

Kelly Hoppen Close Up, published by Quadrille, 2001

Kelly Hoppen Close Up, published by Quadrille, 2001

Interior Transformations, published by Jacqui Small, 2001

Interior Transformations with Ann Grafton, published by Jacqui Small, 2001

Nina Campbell Decorating Secrets, published by CiMa, 2000

Nina Campbell Decorating Secrets, published by CiMa, 2000

Linda Barker Trade Secrets

Linda Barker Trade Secrets, published by David & Charles, 2000

Linda Barker Finishing Touches, published by BBC, 2000

Linda Barker Finishing Touches, published by BBC, 2000

Antiques for Today’s Interiors (Guinevere antiques), published by Collins & Brown, 1999

Antiques for Today’s Interiors (Guinevere antiques), published by Collins & Brown, 1999

Kelly Hoppen In Touch, published by Conran Octopus, 1999

Kelly Hoppen In Touch, published by Conran Octopus, 1999

Linda Barker Colour, published by BBC, 1999

Linda Barker Colour, published by BBC, 1999

Organized Living, published by Conran Octopus, 1997

Organized Living, published by Conran Octopus, 1997

Garden Planning, The New Gardener series, published by Merehurst, 1996

"When we decided to mark the 125 year anniversary of Marks & Spencer with the publication of a book telling the company's history, we turned to Helen to research and write it for us. She is an experienced and engaging communicator who met an incredibly tight deadline with true professionalism, as well as great good humour."