The Raven Wheel

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When you’re being dragged under, the choice is fly or die…

The Raven Wheel follows three troubled teenagers as they struggle to seize control of their lives.

Wayward Tye wants to finally make his father proud. Bright but awkward Kian is desperate to reconnect with his estranged mum. Impulsive rebel, Ria, harbours a secret desire to murder her father.

Their lives intertwine as they strive to succeed and find themselves in too deep, too late…

A F Stone grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, where the book is set. She moved to study English Literature at the University of Sheffield, where she now works. The author was also recently short-listed in the short story category for the Bridport Prize in 2017.

Stone says, “I like to write about young people on the margins of society for whatever reason – health, finances, family… My writing is undoubtedly influenced by my background and my own life experiences. The decline of industry and the decimation of the public sector in cities like Stoke and Sheffield has created huge inequality and many unheard stories that need to be told. The consequences of deprivation continue for generations. Another theme in my work is mental health. I am open about my own mental health problems and I think it’s important for people to feel able to ask for help and, crucially, to get the right support. I have worked in a forensic secure setting and I have seen first-hand the dire consequences of inadequate investment in our health services. Working there also really brought home the fact that mental health problems do not discriminate. It is important not to judge someone before you know their story. I identify most with characters who are classed as ‘outsiders’ and in my opinion, they are what make stories worth reading and life worth living.”