George Hulme is a writer, poet and Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) in the Church of England, living in Rainham, Kent. Much of his writing — from poetry and parish reflections to his devotionals — grow out of prayer and silence. He writes to help people of all ages encounter the beauty, meaning and transforming love of Jesus Christ in fresh and unexpected ways. His first children’s book is being published by Broad Place Publishing in early 2027.
Welcome to our blog, George!
Can you tell us a bit about yourself — where you live and who you live with?
I live in Rainham, one of the Medway towns in Kent. I was born in Birmingham and moved around quite a bit in my younger years before eventually settling in Kent. My wife, Julia, is a local girl — we were introduced by friends at a prayer meeting in Bromley, and we’ve now been married for twenty-four years. I have a daughter from a previous marriage, but Julia has lovingly been her mum since she was nine years old. Our daughter is now thirty-four and building a life of her own. We don’t have grandchildren yet — but there’s still time!
So, why did you start writing?
I’ve always loved writing, and kept journals as a child, but I never felt confident enough to take it seriously. That changed in 2011 when I began a Foundation Degree in Theology and Christian Ministry as part of my training to become a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) in the Church of England. The course involved a great deal of reading and writing, and I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed both.
Beyond academic work, I began writing parish newsletters, magazine articles, LinkedIn posts and material connected with my professional life. Much of my poetry grows out of prayer — particularly silent prayer. In early 2026 I wrote and self-published A Quiet Journey, a daily devotional for Lent and Easter. Through these experiences I came to recognise writing as a gift, and a powerful means through which the Holy Spirit can encourage, challenge and transform lives.
What do you want your writing to communicate?
Before consciously giving my life to Jesus Christ, I experienced what I can only describe as a waking dream — the same dream that inspired my book, Leo and the Invisible Garden. You’ll have to read the book to discover exactly what happened, but the experience revealed something of my purpose.
Some years later, after persistent promptings from the Holy Spirit, I attended a Christmas service at Rochester Cathedral. There I encountered the love of God in a way that lifted my fears and the weight of my past, setting me on a journey of deep and lasting relationship with Jesus. It is that reality of relationship — and the transforming power of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ — that I most want to communicate through my writing. Although Leo and the Invisible Garden is written primarily for children, my hope is that its themes will also resonate with adults, touching something deep within and awakening a fresh sense of wonder, hope and love.
What keeps you writing on your darkest day? What’s your passion?
I don’t tend to write on my darkest days. Much of my writing flows from my connection with Jesus, and dark days are often those moments when I’ve drifted from that source of life — when the soil of my soul has become dry. What I’ve learned is that the answer is always to return: to silence, to prayer, to song. I love singing, and music has often helped lead me back into God’s presence.
As for passion, it’s difficult to choose just one. I find joy in many things: hearing the song of a blackbird, leading a funeral, sharing a beer with friends, or sitting quietly with someone who needs to be heard. At the heart of it all is connection — with God, with people, and with the world around us.
What’s next for you?
Leo and the Invisible Garden will be published in early 2027 (we’re currently awaiting the illustrations which is very exciting). It’s a gentle and soul-stirring story that explores emotional intelligence, quiet resilience, and the transforming power of God’s love. While written for younger readers, I hope it will speak to people of all ages. Beyond the book, I hope to continue writing stories, reflections and poetry that help people encounter beauty, meaning and the love of Jesus Christ in fresh and unexpected ways.
Why we’re publishing George’s debut children’s book
Some of the most important truths a child will ever learn are the ones they barely notice they’re being taught. A story about a boy who sees the hidden hurts in others — and discovers where love truly comes from — can shape a young heart far more gently, and far more deeply, than any lesson ever could.
Leo and the Invisible Garden wears its faith lightly. It speaks the language schools, libraries and ordinary families are already reaching for — empathy, emotional intelligence, resilience — and through it, quietly introduces children to the life-giving presence of Jesus. That makes it a story welcome in homes and classrooms that might never pick up an overtly Christian book, and one that speaks just as tenderly to the grown-ups reading alongside.
That gentle, door-opening storytelling is exactly George’s heart — helping people of every age encounter the love of God in fresh and unexpected ways. We couldn’t be prouder to be bringing his debut into the world, and helping it water a few dry gardens along the way.
How you can help
Every book we publish at Broad Place is a faith adventure. We partner with the Holy Spirit and with others to finance stories that point people to Jesus. We’d love your help getting George’s book into the hands of readers. You can:
Pray for George and for us. Every book release is a faith adventure, and prayer is the heart of it. If you sponsor George or input your details below, you’ll automatically receive his prayer updates (unless you request otherwise).
Sponsor this project to partner with us in bringing George’s book to print. Your support will help cover publication costs and get this gentle, faith-filled story into the hands of readers who’d never otherwise encounter it — including children who can’t afford it. You can donate below:
Pre-order your copy and be among the first to read George’s debut. Pre-ordering helps us determine the size of the print run and pay for it. COMING SOON!