Josie, born in the early 1950s in rural Essex, was raised in the resilient yet modest environment of post-war social housing. From an early age, she displayed an exceptional aptitude for academics, though she often felt like an outsider. Her love for literature became her sanctuary, where she challenged herself with the classics, including reading “War and Peace” not once, but twice, to fully grasp its complexities. Choosing a pen name inspired by her affection for dogs, Josie brings a keen observational eye and deep emotional insight to her writing. Her debut book is a poignant tribute to her mother, who lived to the remarkable age of 100. Now, Josie is channelling her life experiences—the recent past being marked by personal battles with breast cancer, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, and chronic neuropathy—into her forthcoming works, the first of which is tentatively titled ‘Futility’. This new story explores the endless quest for fulfilment through the eyes of a lonely young girl. Josie writes with a profound awareness that each day is precious, and she is committed to sharing her stories with readers who appreciate both the light and dark sides of life. Her work is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and she aims to continue captivating her audience with stories that resonate on a deeply human level.










My first memoir, 'A Cockney Rosebud' by Josie Bruce, published in July 2024 in eBook, paperback, hardback and audio.
Fascinated by my mother’s stories of her childhood in the 1920s and then the devastation of World War II, I was moved to write a memoir to ensure that such rich life stories are not lost forever. The social history is particularly interesting. The more I delved, it helped me understand the challenges of my own childhood and why my mother seemed disconnected from emotion. She did not live to read it, but it remains a tribute to her stoicism and tenacity.
After 3 years of writing and research, as an unknown author of memoir, I decided to self-publish and had an interesting journey through those shark-infested waters. I am proud of the end result and so proud that my mother’s story is recorded for eternity. Together we make eternal memories.