Tracey Iceton
Author & Editor
Out Now!
Sparky My Barn Owl Story
Hatched in the UK in August 2017, Sparky is a captive-bred barn owl. Raised by humans, living with them, she accepts them as essential to her life, benefiting from the security they can provide, but suffering under the uncertainty they can inflict.
And here, thanks to her current human, t-raay-cee, Sparky recounts her unique story. By turns heart warming 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.
A mesmerising and ambitious work that crosses genres and raises important questions about how we can connect deeply with the more-than-human world.
"A fascinating insight into a world so few of us will encounter and Tracey Iceton provides that insight with compassion, sensitivity and considerable humility. Anyone remotely interested in the natural world will be entranced, entertained, enthralled and educated by Sparky. It’s not to be missed."
Linda Hill, award-winning book blogger and reviewer. Read the full review here on Linda's Book Bag -
News
Happy Birthday Sparky!
Today is Sparky's ninth birthday and, after a busy and exciting day yesterday at The World of James Herriot in Thirsk, Sparky will be celebrating with a relaxing day off and her favourite tea - mouse!
To celebrate International Owl Awareness Day, held on 4th August every year, Sparky and Tracey met visitors at the award-winning Herriot World. While Tracey chatted to people about barn owls and her recently released book, Sparky took it all in her stride, enjoying the beautiful gardens at 23 Kirkgate, once the home of vet Alf Wight, better known by his pen name of James Herriot.
Tracey said, "It's wonderful to have the chance to come along to The World of James Herriot today to mark a significant day for owls in general and Sparky in particular as today is the ninth anniversary of her 'pipping' - the process when a bird starts to hatch from it's egg. Her birthday, or hatch day, is 5th August so we'll have a quiet celebration at home together but today we're proud to have been invited to the home of one of Yorkshire's greatest and best known animal lovers. The Ethos of Herriot World is the compassionate caring for animals and it's really important to Sparky and me that we also help spread that message through getting out to meet animal lovers and through the publication of Sparky's story which explores both the good and bad ways in which birds of prey live in captivity."
Once the showers dried up Sparky wowed visitors with a flying display in the gardens before settling down on her perch for a doze.
Tracey and Sparky are looking forward to meeting more of Sparky's growing fan club at upcoming events but for today Sparky is having a well-earned chill out.
For details of other events please see below.
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About
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Tracey Iceton is the author of four previous books. Her Celtic Colours Trilogy (2016-2019, Cinnamon Press ) tells 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. Rock God Complex: The Mickey Hunter Story (2020, Cinnamon Press) recounts the exploits of Crown & Kingdom’s legendary guitarist Mickey Hunter.
Tracey’s articles and short stories have appeared in national and international journals, magazines and anthologies. She has won or been shortlisted in several notable writing competitions. Her doctorate, Troubles Women (2017, Northumbria University), was a practice-led creative writing project exploring the portrayal of female paramilitary protagonists in Troubles fiction.
Tracey’s latest publication, Sparky: My Barn Owl Story (released 11th May, 2026, Cinnamon Press) is Sparky’s semi-(auto)biographical account of life before, and since, she and Tracey met in 2022.
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, which she took up in case she ever needs to chase a furred or feathered friend.
Please note - book sales at all events are CASH only. Thank you!
Events
Done and Dusted - Thank you for joining us, hope you had a good time. Special thanks if you bought a book from me or a mouse for Sparky.
Book Launch
Friday, 22nd May, 7-9pm Blackwell Grange Hotel, Darlington.
Tracey and Sparky would like to thank everyone who came along to celebrate the launch of Sparky - My Barn Owl Story. Many thanks for the support and especial thanks to those who bought a book or who contributed to Sparky's 'Buy me a mouse' jar.
Sparky stealing the show at the Blackwell Grange book launch.
Author Appearance
Sunday, 24th May, 10am-4pm, Baytree Owl & Raptor Centre, Lincolnshire. Massive thank you to Mark and his team at Baytree Owl and Raptor Centre for their warm welcome and support of Sparky - My Barn Owl Story. It was a great day out - if you live in Lincolnshire and love birds of prey this is the place for you.
Book Stall and Owl Flying Display
Sunday, 7th June, 8.30am-12pm, Sedgefield Farmers Market, The Green, Sedgefield, Stockton on Tees. Free Event.
Huge thanks to Mike, the SDT volunteers and everyone who came along to the market to meet Sparky. Special thanks if you bought a book or treated Sparky to a mouse!
Author Talk, Reading and Book Signing
2pm, Sunday 7th June, Back of Beyond Books, Church View, Sedgefield
A wonderful, intimate event at this fabulous indie bookshop. Many thanks to Lucy and Sarah for their warm welcome and their passion for great books. There are still 2 signed copies of Sparky - My Barn Owl Story in stock so if you didn't get one yet support your local bookshop and pop in for a copy of the book and great coffee!
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Meet the Author
Saturday, 20th June, 10.30am-3.30pm, Potter's World, Lanchester Garden Centre, County Durham. Entry fee to Potter's World applies.
Big thanks to Emma, Lauren and all the team at Potter's World who made me so welcome. A special thank you to Chester the Barn Owl, who is such a lovely friendly chap and happily posed for some photos. If Sparky needs an understudy, I'll be asking you, Chester! Looking forward to being back in July.
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Online Book Launch - Memorable fiction and memoir
Tuesday, 23rd June, 7.30pm (BST) Zoom Event hosted by Cinnamon Press. Thanks to everyone who listened to me reading from and talking about the book and watched Sparky flying - I know that's what you really logged on for! If you missed the event live you can catch up now by clicking on the Cinnamon Press 'watch now' button to see the recording of the whole evening including the wonderful readings from Jan Fortune and Alexina Dalgetty's books.
Author Event
Thursday, 9th July, 7-9pm, Drakes Bookshop, Stockton-on-Tees. Please contact Drakes directly to book, places limited.
Thank you to Mel at Drakes for hosting a lovely event and to everyone who attended and bought a book - first time I've sold out at an event! Hope you all enjoyed meeting Sparky, learning a bit about barn owls and seeing her tuck in to her tea.
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Meet the Author
Saturday, 18th July, 10.30am-3.30pm, Potter's World, Lanchester Garden Centre, County Durham. Entry fee to Potter's World applies.
Another wonderful day chatting to fellow owl fans and being part of the fun at Potter's World. Thanks to Emma, Lauren and the team there and special thanks to Axel, the beautiful resident great grey owl who took an interest in my book even though it wasn't about her!
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Meet the Author
Saturday, 1st August, 11am-3pm, Turbary Woods Owl and Bird of Prey Sanctuary, Lostock Hall near Preston. Entry fee to Turbary Woods Sanctuary applies.
A wonderful day at a 5* owl sanctuary in tranquil woodland - if you're in Preston and love birds this is the place to go! Huge thanks to Andy and his dedicated, highly-skilled team of volunteers for letting me be part of Turbary for the day. Special thanks to Knowley, the tawny owl, and Casper, an American barn owl cousin of Sparky's for being part of my visit.
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Meet the Author and the star of the book!
Tuesday, 4th August, 10.30am-3pm, World of James Herriot, Thirsk. Entry fee to the World of James Herriot applies.
A fabulous day celebrating International Owl Awareness Day at the home of the world's most famous vet, James Herriot. Massive thanks to Ian, Kate, John, Neil and all the staff and visitors who made this such a special day for Sparky and me. Special thanks to owl lover Niamh and her mum and brother for coming along to meet Sparky.
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Meet the Author
Sunday, 16th August, 10.30am-3.30pm, Haggerston Castle Bird of Prey Centre, Haggerston Castle Caravan Park, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Entry fee to the centre applies.
A truly lovely day at a truly magical bird of prey centre in the beautiful walled garden of Haggerston Castle. My gratitude to Andy, Junita and the staff there who all made me feel so welcome. And a special thanks to Nellie, the Melanistic barn owl, who flew just for me and kindly posed for a photo too. She is a very unique barn owl thanks to a rare genetic variation that gives her plumage an amazing dusky colouring. A privilege to meet such an unusual cousin to Sparky.
Meet the Author
Saturday, 29th August, 11.30am-4pm, Kielder Water Bird of Prey Centre, Leaplish Waterside Park, Northumberland. Entry fee to the centre applies.
A perfect start to the bank holiday weekend thanks to Shane, Ben and the amazing birds of prey at Kielder, especially Terence, the tawny frog mouth who minded the bookstall for me so I could go and watch Spark, the ashy faced barn owl, in action.
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Looking Forward To - You can still catch me, and Sparky, at the following upcoming events so hope to see you there.
Meet the Author and the star of the book!
Saturday, 5th September, 9am-1pm, Barnard Castle Farmers Market, Horsemarket, Barnard Castle town centre.
Join Tracey and Sparky at this award winning farmers market. Chat to the author, get a signed book, meet Sparky at one of her rare personal appearances and enjoy and owl talk and feeding session with chance to learn more about Sparky and her wild barn owl cousins.
Meet the Author and the star of the book!
Saturday, 12th September, 9am-1pm, Saltburn Farmers Market, Station Square, Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
If you missed Tracey and Sparky last week at Barnard Castle you can catch them today at Saltburn's lively farmers market. Meet Tracey, get a signed book and enjoy and owl talk and feeding session with chance to learn more about Sparky and her wild barn owl cousins. This is Sparky's penultimate event of 2026 so come and see her now while you can.
Author talk, reading, Q& A and flying display
Sunday, 27th September, 2-3pm, Lumley Castle, Chester-le-Street. Tickets £14.95, book directly with Lumley Castle.
Join Tracey and Sparky as they take part in Lumley Castle's wonderful 'Talks and Teas' events. Enjoy a cream tea, hear Tracey talk about how she and Sparky ended up together, hear readings from the book then see Sparky in action in a flying display in the beautiful castle grounds (please note: flying display will be indoors in the event of adverse weather). There will also be chance to buy signed copies of the book. This is Sparky's final event of 2026 so don't miss your last chance to meet her!
Please note - book sales at all events are CASH only. Thank you!
Events - TBC
Following the success of Sedgefield Farmers Market you can also catch Tracey and Sparky at the following markets, details to be confirmed soon so check back for updates.
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Northern Dales Farmers Market (venue TBC but likely Wynyard Hall, Crathorne Hall or Stewarts Park) Autumn 2026
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NEW! Preston Park, Stockton on Tees - book talk and barn owl flying display Autumn 2026
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Fiesta Whitley Bay, Whitley Bay town centre & St Paul's Church grounds, July 2027
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NEW! The World of James Herriot - back by popular demand for International Owl Awareness Day. Come along and meet Sparky plus her friend, Colin, the tawny owl August 2027