Spotlight - Sidney Raven

Freedom has always been a central theme in Sidney Raven’s life. Before stepping into the world of fiction, she worked as an investigative journalist, driven by a hunger for truth and a deep curiosity about human nature. Her career later led her to collaborate with television producers, but the pull to write her own story became irresistible. She took leave from the industry to focus on her debut book—a decision that marked the beginning of a transformative journey.

Together with her husband, Sidney founded a tech writing company. In pursuit of a more intentional lifestyle, they left their office jobs in Amsterdam and moved to Portugal three years ago. The country’s rhythm, beauty, and sense of possibility captivated them. Both became freelance writers, embracing the creative freedom that Portugal offered. Sidney believes deeply in the power of determination: “If you have an end goal and you’re determined, you can do that.”

Her earliest writing memory traces back to scribbling stories in the margins of school notebooks—tiny worlds that offered escape and imagination. Today, she writes with a focus on sci-fi elements, drawn to the genre’s ability to explore emotional and psychological depth through speculative lenses. While she steers clear of horror, she’s fascinated by the intersection of desire, empathy, and control.

Sidney’s publishing journey has been a blend of traditional and independent paths. Her Dutch-language books were traditionally published, while her English translations are self-published on Amazon. She appreciates the autonomy self-publishing offers—especially the ability to adjust keywords and marketing strategies on her own terms.

Her most recent novel, Bruises, was published in July 2024. Written under the pen name Sidney Raven, it’s a dark romance with psychological spice. The manuscript was completed in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic overwhelmed publishers with submissions. The story isn’t focused on explicit actions, but rather the emotional intensity that arises when desires spiral out of control. Sidney hopes readers walk away with a deeper understanding of how empathy can grow from confronting uncomfortable truths.

What kept her writing through the challenges was the need to push herself—to prove she could write a complete story. Looking ahead, she’s eager to sharpen her storytelling and plotting skills, and to market her work more effectively.

Her advice to debut authors is simple but powerful: “Tell yourself that your very first draft can be horrible. Just get the story down. You can’t rewrite what doesn’t exist.”

When she’s not writing, Sidney finds joy in cooking and insect photography—a quiet, meditative hobby that reveals the beauty in small details.

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