About me

Hi, I’m Lily Style. I’m a keen historical author, of both fiction and nonfiction.

My writing took off after I explored my colourful lineage, which includes the famous lovers, Admiral Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton, who are my 4th great-grandparents. In researching them, and other ancestors, I’ve noticed things others seem to have missed. I think this is because I feel an affectionate, protective family connection.

Real human stories are everything, even in my fiction

My interest is in piecing together the real human stories that lie beneath dry facts. 

My historical fiction, Somerswood, is the bronze winner of The Historical Fiction Company's 2023 short story category.

My George Matcham biography, A Most Unsettled Man, is being published by Historium Press in July 2024.

I write regularly for Nelson-related publications, and have recently signed a contract with Historium Press for a full-length e-biography of George Matcham; which I’m excitedly expanding from a short piece I wrote for Trafalgar Chronicle in 2022.

I wrote my first historical novel, Horatia's Secret to communicate my strong intuition about why Nelson & Emma’s only child, Horatia, claimed not to know who her mother was. 

I’m the creator and webmaster of Emma Hamilton Society, whose purpose is to provide positive and deserved press to Dame Emma Hamilton (her correct title is Dame as she was awarded the Maltese Cross). Dame Emma Hamilton has been unfairly maligned because of prevailing sexism and snobbery: she had unwedded relationships (but not promiscuously) and spoke with a common accent.

My keen interest in Mediterranean history has been rekindled by my research  for my George Matcham biography. Having visited Turkey, particularly the central region of Cappadocia, over 30 times, from 1994 onwards, I have a strong affinity with Anatolian history. My article about the history of the Islamic crescent moon and star symbol was published by Historical Times magazine in 2023, and I am currently researching the neolithic site of Çatalhöyük near Konya.

I’m a volunteer for South Hams Authors Network and created their website and the logo for the 2023 South Hams Literary Festival. 

Blanckley one name study

A work in progress project to collate details of every instance of the surname Blanckley and all its variations.

Historical fiction works

There are many factual-fiction Nelson’s Blood saga books bubbling in my head. I have a compilation of short stories in the pipeline and am in the process of writing my second, full-length Nelson’s Blood saga novel, The Ghost of Gipsy Hill: a late Victorian supernatural mystery. 

In the meantime, I’ve completed one full-length novel, Horatia’s Secret, and one short story, Somerswood, both of which are free to read as ebooks via Kindle Unlimited, as well as being available in paperback.

Horatia’s Secret - New Edition (2022)

Available from Ivybridge Bookshop and via Amazon world wide: UK link US link

Somerswood (2023) (short story)

An 1891 Nelson’s Blood saga novel based on on true events.

Somerswood, set in late Victorian South Brent, is a coming of age story with a  supernatural twist is Historical Fiction Company’s bronze short story winner for 2023.

Available from Ivybridge Bookshop and via Amazon worldwide. UK link   US link

Also included in South Hams Authors Network’s short story anthology, Grasping the Nettle, published in September 2023.

Historical nonfiction

Nonfiction books

George Matcham biography (contract signed with Historium Press)

Nonfiction articles

Historical Times Magazine

Byzantium forever  (2023) 

The last Plantagenet king (2023)

Trafalgar Chronicle 

George Matcham biography  (2022) 

The Tailor Prince (2021)

The Rise of the Fouled Anchor (2020)

Four Female Ancestors:  Life in Trade, Foreign Courts and Domesticity (2018)

Kedge Anchor (The 1805 Club’s magazine)

The refurbished Lord Nelson pub in Burnham Thorpe (2021)

The Tria Juncta In Uno in Shepperton (2021)

Surprising Twists Surrounding Henrietta Blanckley’s Death (2020)

Capo Noli Battle Exhibition: How Nelson’s First Naval Victory Is Aiding Modern European Unity (2019)

Emma as a Mother (2018)

Nelson Dispatch (The Nelson Society’s magazine)

LADY HAMILTON’S TWIN DAUGHTERS - A COLD CASE REVIEW (Ken Williams, edited by Lily Style) (2022)

WEBSITE ENQUIRY – THE MYSTERIOUS MISS WHEATLEY (co-authored with Ray Aldis) (2021)

Capo Noli Battle Exhibition (2019)

South Brent Archive 

A snapshot of 1841 South Brent (May 2023)

South Dartmoor’s haunted bridge (January 2023)

The Blind Pianist of Brent (December 2022)

Nelson’s descendants in Brent (November 2022)

Gill and Gay: Pioneering Postcard-makers of Brent (June 2022) (external link)

When Brent had Three Halls (May 2022) (external link)

The History of South Brent Nursing Association (February 2022) (external link)

The Story Behind South Brent’s Forgotten “New” Bridge (October 2021) (external link)

Ivybridge iMag

Two moving pubs and a piggery (July 2023)

South Brent & Ivybridge’s forgotten fort (March 2023)

Puritan bullies (February 2023)

Dartmoor’s most haunted bridge? (January 2023)

Nelson’s Descendants in Brent (December 2022)

HFA newsletter (Harmer Family Association)

The Harmer Who Wore Two Hats (unless he was wearing three) (2021)

A Sussex Shopkeeping Clan: The Mercer Origins of the Ardingly Harmers (2021)

CATHERINE ANN HARMER: AN EARLY 19TH CENTURY FARMER’S WIFE (2021)

Microfiction 

The Trip Wire (NYC Midnight 250 word microfiction challenge 2022/23 round 2 qualifier) The story will be included in South Hams Authors Network’s short story anthology, Grasping the Nettle, which will be available in September 2023.

A Pound of Butter (NYC Midnight 100 word microfiction challenge 2023 round 2 qualifier) The story will be included in a compilation of Nelsons’ Blood short stories, along with Somerswood, The Magic Twin (set in 1878), My Love (set in 1880), and and stories I’ve not yet written.