I’m Edinburgh born and based. You might know me from my YouTube channel JeansThoughts where I've been discussing books, writing, studying, and ancient history since 2012.

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I am also an author, presenter, and as of 2022 Dr Jean Zacharski Menzies, PhD in ancient history!

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In 2020 I won the BAMB Breakthrough Author award for my first book, Greek Myths: Meet the heroes, gods, and monsters of ancient Greece, which was published by DK and is aimed at children aged 7-11. Since then I have gone on to write nonfiction books on history and mythology for all ages.

 

In 2025 my debut adult fantasy novel was published by Michael Joseph, Penguin. The Lady of the Lake is a sapphic reimagining of Arthurian legend packed full of female rage, Celtic mythology, and lots and lots of magic. 

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My research interests lie in the history of women's lives in antiquity. Whether it be their sex lives or legal rights, I'm fascinated by it all. My PhD thesis dealt with the politicisation of sexual violence against women in democratic Athenian rhetoric and I have also contributed to such volumes as Revisiting Rape in Antiquity (published by Bloomsbury). ​I have also written on the significance of Greek Mythology in modern day LGBTQIA+ literature. 

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I am currently offer a number of freelance services including historical consultancy and presenting; the services I offer are listed here.

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For book proposals please contact my literary agent Emily Glenister.