John Dean – Crime Writer

A series of events have been organised across Northern England to mark the launch of the remarkable new book written by author Tracey Iceton.

Sparky: My Barn Owl Tale (2026, Cinnamon Press) is the bird’s account of life before, and since, she and Tracey met in 2022. Hatched in the UK in August 2017, Sparky is a captive-bred barn owl. Raised by humans, she accepts them as essential to her life, benefiting from the security they can provide, but suffering under the uncertainty they can inflict.

By turns heartwarming and disturbing, Sparky offers an owl’s-eye view of her relationship with her human mates and her search for a special human to bond with lifelong.

The book is very different from Tracey’s previous works, which included her Celtic Colours Trilogy (2016-2019, Cinnamon Press ), which tell the story of a hundred years of Troubles in Ireland, following one family through four generations of the conflict from the Easter Rising to the Brexit Vote, and Rock God Complex: The Mickey Hunter Story (2020, Cinnamon Press), which recounts the exploits of Crown & Kingdom’s legendary guitarist.

Formerly an English and creative writing teacher, Tracey continues to work with emerging writers, offering mentoring and editing, but most of her time is divided between home life with her husband, cats and birds of prey, animal rescue volunteering and running.

Events organised to launch the new book include:

Book Launch Friday 22^nd May, 7-9pm Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington. Special guest appearance from Sparky. Free event but places limited so anyone wanting to come should email traceyiceton@hotmail.co.uk

Meet the Author, 

Sunday 24^th May, 10am-4pm Baytree Owl and Raptor Centre, Spalding, Lincolnshire. Entry fee to Baytree applies. Book signing and author talk

Book stall and owl flying display

Sunday 7^th June, 8.30am-12pm Sedgefield Farmers Market, The Green, Sedgefield.  Free event. Another chance to buy a signed book and see Sparky in action.

Meet the Author

Saturday 20^th June 10.30am-3.30pm Potters World, Lanchester Garden Centre, County Durham. Entry fee to Potters World applies. Chance to chat to the author and buy a signed book.

Online Book Launch – Memorable Fiction & Memoir

Tuesday 23^rd June 7.30pm BST. Free event, register via the Cinnamon Press website www.cinnamonpress.com Author talk, reading, Q&A plus video footage of Sparky in action.

Author Event

Thursday 9^th July 7-9pm Drakes Bookshop Stockton on Tees. Contact Drakes directly to attend, places limited. Author talk, reading, Q&A plus special guest appearance of Sparky.

Meet the Author

Saturday 18^th July 10.30am-3.30pm Potters World, Lanchester Garden Centre, County Durham. Entry fee to Potters World applies. A second chance to catch Tracey at Potters World

Meet the Author

Tuesday 4^th August 10.30am-3pm World of James Herriot, Thirsk. Entry fee to World of James Herriot applies. Celebrate International Owl Awareness Day by joining Tracey and Sparky.

More information is available from Tracey’s website at www.traceyiceton.co.uk