Hayleigh Morrow (b.1987) was born in the west coast of Scotland where she dreamt of becoming a Spice Girl. However, as she couldn’t hold a tune to save herself, she embarked on a different career path. Her family were thrilled!
In 2006 she attended the University of the West of Scotland and completed a BA (Hons) in Broadcast Production, specialising in writing, directing and producing for TV, film and radio.
After the 3-year course Hayleigh returned to UWS and obtained a Masters in Creative Media Practices. Between qualifications she gained experience researching and writing for the film, TV, and theatre industries – including Magicstone Productions.
She also wrote a series of monologues for a theatre performance to celebrate the opening of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. The show shone a light on the women who inspired the poet throughout his life, including his long suffering wife, Jean Armour, and the witch from his most famous poem, Tam O’Shanter.
Whilst completing a Doctorate of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow, she wrote her debut fantasy novel, Girl of the Ashes, under the name Hayleigh Barclay. Accrediting several 5-star reviews, the story features powerful heroines with high-octane action, dark humour, and an alternative Scottish history.
Previously, she co-wrote a sit-com with the working title “All My Mates” which was under consideration by BBC Scotland. The show focused on five friends as they negotiated the trials and tribulations of working in an advertising agency.
During the pandemic, Hayleigh co-edited an anthology of short stories and poetry titled, “Stories from Home” which featured over 40 authors from across the UK, USA, and Scandinavia. All proceeds were donated to The Ambulance Staff Charity.
Examples of her short stories such as, “Office Politics”, “Rolling In It”, and “Happily Murder After – The Alternative Cinderella” featured on the Disability Horizons website. https://disabilityhorizons.com/author/hayleigh-barclay/
Hayleigh is co-writer (with Jamie Hale) of a disability-led romcom (working title “Crushing It”) which was optioned by Red Productions. The show tackles taboo issues surrounding sex and disability with an unapologetic, unique sense of humour, and a “balls to the wall” attitude!
If disabled assassins are more your thing, then check out her gripping, contemporary thriller, “Spyglass”. The series follows Kate Lewis as she blazes through Glasgow’s corrupt and cutthroat world of espionage, solving the cases MI5 dare not touch. As Hayleigh says, nobody ever suspects the disabled girl.
For the witchcraft fans, her twisted, supernatural adventure, “Witch’s Apprentice” takes audiences to the netherworld of Scotland’s magical underbelly. Join 16 year old Iona Harris as she discovers her family’s darkest secrets whilst battling the city’s most dangerous and evil demons. It’s bewitching from start to finish.