Jodie Matthews, who was brought up locally and has since moved up country, will be in Launceston today (Thursday, 3rd July) to attend an author talk and book signing of her debut novel, Meet Me at the Surface, at Black Cat Books. This is a ticketed event, which sold out quickly, though many people will be excited to know her book can be found in Black Cat Books, The Byre and online too.

Jodie has links to the Bodmin, Launceston and Falmouth areas.

Meet Me at the Surface is a Cornish folk horror novel that follows the story of Merryn, a young woman who grows up on Bodmin Moor in an isolated farmhouse with her mother and aunt. She escapes to the city for university, only to find herself called back home for the memorial service of her ex-girlfriend. When she returns to the farmhouse, things seem to have become strange. No one can tell her when the memorial service is, people are hunting for something on the moors, and she finds a book of folk tales that are eerily similar to what’s going on. 

Jodie gave Launceston Life a glimpse into her novel and writing process. She says readers should ‘expect earthy, strange folklore mixed with coming of age, in a side of Cornwall not often put in the spotlight’.

Having grown up against the wild backdrop of Bodmin Moor, Jodie says that her childhood was devoted to books and storytelling. It’s no wonder, then, that this folk-fascinated author looked back on her own time growing up on the edge of the moor as inspiration for her protagonist, Merryn. 

“Our house was filled with books and my mum used to read to us all before bed,” Jodie explained. “Growing up in the village meant finding your own ways to entertain yourself - a lot of time exploring outside, and a lot of time creating things. I think that combination of boredom (when you're a teenager and you just want to be anywhere else!) and easy access to nature can really foster creativity. 

“I wrote stories all through primary school and secondary school (Blisland School and Bodmin College), where I had really encouraging teachers. Some of them have actually come along to some of my book events over the past year, which has been so lovely. After that, I went to university (only for a year or so!) in Falmouth to study Creative Writing, but it wasn't until I was 26 that I sat down and decided to write a book, and that book became Meet Me at the Surface. I think Cornwall has such a great creative community - it's been wonderful to reconnect with that since the book came out too.”

Cornish folk tales have always been something Jodie has come back to. Stories such as Lutley and the mermaid, tales of piskies, and the infamous Beast of Bodmin have remained imprinted in her mind, and while she was researching the novel, Jodie found herself drawn to the outdoors while living in a little village in the Midlands, working as a gardener. 

She said: “The time spent outside sparked the desire to write again, I think. Lockdown happened and I was furloughed, which gave me time to really focus on writing. Not being able to go and visit home during that time made me really preoccupied with it - with the things I missed, what I took for granted, what was special about growing up in Cornwall, and what it meant to be Cornish. Naturally, all of those thoughts lead me down the route of researching and reading more about Cornish folklore and superstitions. A particular favourite was the story of Jan Tregeagle, a man who committed so many crimes that his punishment was to empty the 'bottomless' pool of Dozmary using just a shell.

“Cornwall has this gorgeous, rich cultural history - full of oral storytelling and a really strong connection to place and nature. I also love all things stone circle and megalith related, so researching more about that was a dream. But I think there were two main things that drew me to Cornish folklore - one was the way that it connected me to home, and my roots. And the other, was the way that it connected me to the rest of the country, and the rest of the world - I think the real beauty of folklore is that these stories are repeated, across different communities and continents, told organically by people who've never crossed paths with each other.”

Pen was finally put to paper, and scribbles transferred to screen to create a manuscript that her publisher, 4th Estate Books, jumped at the opportunity to put out into the world. 

“Every time I see it in a shop, I'm surprised to find that it's actually a real object,” she added. “When I started writing this book, I set out with the hope that it would be published, and it would find its readers. I'm so happy that those things happened. There's nothing better than getting to send it off into the world and let readers bring their own meanings to the things I wrote.”

When asked to describe her novel in one word, Jodie replied: “Uncanny.”

You can find Meet Me at the Surface in Launceston’s local book shops, or online.

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