writer
POETRY
In 2021, I returned to my first love, poetry, and began posting my work on Instagram. In 2023, I published my first collection, "Thoughts on Waking", my work was featured in publications such as The Tokyo Poetry Journal and Slush, Hivelife Magazine named me as one of seven emerging poets from the APAC region to follow, and I was commissioned by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan to write a poem commemorating their 75th anniversary. The resulting piece, "Our Island Lands," was presented at the British Business Awards in November 2023.
CORPORATE
I hold a Bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Strathclyde and a Master's in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh. During my 19 years in Japan, I worked in scriptwriting, lyric writing, and copywriting for clients including NTT, Aeon, Mitsui-Sumitomo Ginko, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Subaru, L'Oreal, and Maxell.
THOUGHTS ON WAKING
…words that’ll strike you in the soul
“Thoughts on Waking” is the debut poetry collection by Rachel Ferguson. Drawing from her experiences in Scotland and Japan, the collection explores themes of motherhood, loss, and self-reinvention. It invites readers to contemplate the transformative nature of grief and the enduring cycle of life.
'Thoughts on Waking' is rare, vulnerable, and honest perspective on motherhood, relationships, love, grief, and reimagining ourselves.In these are brave vulnerable poems, Ferguson explores the story arc of life as a woman + mother and all the changes riddled within it. This collections peels back the pleasantries and makes us intimately familiar with life’s imperfections, yet somehow guide readers to a hopeful and empowered place.
Lindsay Kellar Parsons
The collection of poems is beautifully written and flows well. It was hard to put down, so deeply moving and compelling. Powerful writing! From simple beauty in everyday things to thought-provoking intimate emotional narratives from birth to death.
Wendy Cathcart
Love for Thoughts on Waking
Lovely collection of words that'll strike you in the soul. Themes range from personal, familial, existential, and theological. Rachel's poems are sharp as can be, and provoke deep feelings of love in me.
Eugene Stuckless
Each night when I close my eyes I see the stars, whole galaxies Of glinting, glimmering, glistening light. I see the stars and they see me. Each night when I close my eyes I see the fishes in the sea Swimming by in shimmering shoals. I see the fish and they see me. Each night when I close my eyes I see the birds up in the trees Whistling their lullaby. I see the birds and they see me. Each night when I close my eyes I see a swarm of honeybees Hovering over violet flowers. I see the bees and they see me. Each night when I close my eyes I see my friends and family Blowing kisses in the air Yes, I see them and they see me. With those I love surrounding me, And whistling birds and buzzing bees, And shining fish in sparkling seas And infinite stars and galaxies, I take a few breaths, long and deep, then slip into a dream and sleep.
〰️
Each night when I close my eyes I see the stars, whole galaxies Of glinting, glimmering, glistening light. I see the stars and they see me. Each night when I close my eyes I see the fishes in the sea Swimming by in shimmering shoals. I see the fish and they see me. Each night when I close my eyes I see the birds up in the trees Whistling their lullaby. I see the birds and they see me. Each night when I close my eyes I see a swarm of honeybees Hovering over violet flowers. I see the bees and they see me. Each night when I close my eyes I see my friends and family Blowing kisses in the air Yes, I see them and they see me. With those I love surrounding me, And whistling birds and buzzing bees, And shining fish in sparkling seas And infinite stars and galaxies, I take a few breaths, long and deep, then slip into a dream and sleep. 〰️
GUGU AND PENFIN SLEEP
“…the perfect remedy for restless kids”
“Gugu and Penfin Sleep” is a bedtime book with a soothing audio accompaniment designed to help little children sleep. This sleep solution for young kids really works.
My kids adore this book and the audio is truly sublime and there is a lovely calming soundtrack that you can use by the QR code! The twins listen to it most nights and it really helps them get to a sweet calm sleep 10/10♡
LIZA（TOKYO)
Love for Gugu and Penfin Sleep
This children’s book is beautiful. I quickly gave my copies to friends with kids and they love the book. It’s genius. The QR code that leads to an audio to give the parents a break and the repetition in the story is mesmerising for the children. So relaxing. All of it was put together so carefully and with dedication to detail and quality. A book that will have longevity and delights for years.
SARAH (TOKYO)
We love Gugu and Penfin. My daughter took instantly to the gentle rhythm, dreamy illustrations and the soothing, melodic audiobook. Definitely a bedtime favourite in this household.
KRISTY (UK)