Rebecca PhilipsonShort Bio
Rebecca Philipson grew up in a mining town in County Durham, where she still lives. Educated in a small convent, she set up her own business at 21 and won both the North East Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Artemis Award for inspirational women in business.
Rebecca was inspired to write How to Get Away with Murder after starting a true-crime blog during the pandemic and becoming fascinated by the ways in which serial killers are treated like celebrities.
Rebecca’s debut novel sold in a 24-hour pre-empt to Transworld, Penguin in the UK, and MacMillan in the US, as well as over a sixteen countries globally. To date, it’s been translated into eleven languages.
In May 2026, How to Get Away with Murder, was shortlisted for Britain’s most prestigious debut crime prize: The McDermid Award.
Rebecca was awarded the University of Liverpool School of Humanities Scholarship and is reading for a PhD in Creative Writing.
Rebecca’s debut novel sold in a 24-hour pre-empt to Transworld, Penguin in the UK, and MacMillan in the US, as well as over a sixteen countries globally. To date, it’s been translated into eleven languages.
In May 2026, How to Get Away with Murder, was shortlisted for Britain’s most prestigious debut crime prize: The McDermid Award.
Rebecca was awarded the University of Liverpool School of Humanities Scholarship and is reading for a PhD in Creative Writing.
Gripping, clever, and powerful… the best thriller I have ever read. Intensely engaging with complex and flawed characters.
More About the AuthorLong Bio
Rebecca Jayne Philipson has always lived in North East England and is the granddaughter of a coal miner and a British veteran. Raised on a smallholding and educated in a convent, Rebecca began telling stories both to herself and aloud at a young age, and writing naturally followed.
Rebecca attended Wolsingham Sixth Form where she studied A-Level French, Biology, Literature, Psychology and Geography, before moving to Newcastle to study for a degree. It was during her first year that she made a personalised newspaper for her Grandfather and began creating personalised gifts. She left university to set up a business called UR-In The Paper.
As well as running her business, Rebecca worked many side jobs and was a single mother to her two girls from their infancy:
“From tutoring to caring for people’s pets,” she said, “I was always working hard to provide for my girls. Times were hard in those early days, and I’m eternally grateful to my family for being my safety net and support.”
Rebecca studied English Literature at Northumbria University, graduating with First Class Honours, and completed a PGCE in English at Durham University whilst on maternity leave. After returning to her business, Rebecca also lectured in Literature and Language in Newcastle.
Rebecca attended Wolsingham Sixth Form where she studied A-Level French, Biology, Literature, Psychology and Geography, before moving to Newcastle to study for a degree. It was during her first year that she made a personalised newspaper for her Grandfather and began creating personalised gifts. She left university to set up a business called UR-In The Paper.
As well as running her business, Rebecca worked many side jobs and was a single mother to her two girls from their infancy:
“From tutoring to caring for people’s pets,” she said, “I was always working hard to provide for my girls. Times were hard in those early days, and I’m eternally grateful to my family for being my safety net and support.”
Rebecca studied English Literature at Northumbria University, graduating with First Class Honours, and completed a PGCE in English at Durham University whilst on maternity leave. After returning to her business, Rebecca also lectured in Literature and Language in Newcastle.
Having sold her business in 2020, Rebecca was made redundant by the acquiring company in 2023 and felt it was her moment to throw herself completely into writing. She worked part-time as a sighted-guide and graduated from the University of East Anglia (UEA) Masters Program in 2024.
Rebecca pitched her novel, How to Get Away With Murder, to agents towards the end of her MA and was delighted to sign with Stephanie Glencross of David Higham Associates. That novel is now a best-selling work, translated into ten languages across fifteen countries.
Rebecca went on to win a scholarship to the University of Liverpool where she is reading for a PhD in Creative Writing.
Rebecca was diagnosed with ADHD in her late thirties, and quietly celebrates her neurodiversity.
Rebecca pitched her novel, How to Get Away With Murder, to agents towards the end of her MA and was delighted to sign with Stephanie Glencross of David Higham Associates. That novel is now a best-selling work, translated into ten languages across fifteen countries.
Rebecca went on to win a scholarship to the University of Liverpool where she is reading for a PhD in Creative Writing.
Rebecca was diagnosed with ADHD in her late thirties, and quietly celebrates her neurodiversity.
In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her two children, her fiancé and close family and friends. Rebecca loves competitive netball, travelling, art & culture and walking with her German Shepard rescue dog, who inspired the dog-related events in her book. She loves rock and metal music, snooker and tea with just the right amount of milk in it.
