ENTER A WORLD RICH WITH HISTORY AND UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS
The Before Heidi website was created to showcase the rich and intricate world of Heidi: Echoes of Ash—the first book in a planned trilogy, currently in development, and the beginning of a much larger story.
This website offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey, tracing the evolution of the characters, the story, and the expansive lore that shapes the narrative.
What began as a spontaneous creation has grown into a fully realised universe, and this site provides a deeper insight into the process behind the novel.
The website serves as a companion to the novel, delving into the character development, worldbuilding, and creative processes that shaped Heidi’s journey. It is a space to celebrate the evolution of the story and to invite readers to explore the vibrant and complex world of the Zombie Ninja Rock Vampire.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I’ve always been creative, though I’d probably argue that my biggest achievement—until recently—was mastering the art of surviving on school lunch money I refused to spend. Why? Because comics were more important.
Growing up, I had two great loves: films and comic books. My introduction to the latter came at age nine, right after watching Batman (the Tim Burton one, obviously) on the big screen. Still on a high from Gotham’s gritty streets, I was taken to Odyssey 7, a comic shop in Manchester City Centre, and that was it—I was hooked. Every week, I’d stash my lunch money, ignore the lure of school dinners, and make my pilgrimage every Friday to carefully select which DC treasures to take home. Batman, Superman, and eventually Green Lantern (my ultimate favourite) took over my shelves, and my obsession was fully underway.
Meanwhile, my film education started even earlier—thanks to my mum and aunt working at a video rental store. Imagine being six years old with access to every VHS under the sun (Google it, kids). From the family-friendly to the absolutely not family-friendly, I watched them all. That early exposure to every genre imaginable sparked a lifelong obsession with storytelling, from over-the-top sci-fi to grounded character dramas and I can see it coming through in my writing.
Then, during lockdown in 2020, I picked up a pencil for the first time in over 20 years—and somehow, I still had it. I’d always enjoyed drawing, but like a lot of things, it got left behind as I got older. That moment reignited my love for art, leading me to experiment with digital drawing—because let’s be honest, an undo button is a game-changer. What started as casual sketching soon took on a life of its own, eventually leading to the accidental birth of Heidi: Zombie Ninja Rock Vampire...well that was what she was once known as.
Somewhere along the way, I also went to university and earned a degree in Creative Writing & Writing for Performance. I even got a first for my dissertation—a screenplay for a TV film. But despite that, it wasn’t until I hit 43 that I finally decided to put my degree to work. That’s when I started writing Heidi: Echoes of Ash, a novel born from years of imagination, countless films, and an enduring love for comics.
From stashing lunch money for Batman comics to crafting entire worlds, my creative journey has been anything but ordinary. And now, with Heidi leading the charge, I’ve finally created something that’s truly my own and I want to share it with you. Hopefully it's not sh*t. - Wes