The College Merthyr Tydfil is immensely proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our learner McKenzy Lee-Dominy, who has recently published his third novel, Cordelia Kills. Despite facing significant personal losses, McKenzy has channelled his grief into creativity, inspiring others with his resilience and dedication.
McKenzy Lee-Dominy lost his older brother in sudden and unexpected circumstances earlier this summer and was working on his third novel at the time, Cordelia Kills, which has recently been published with distribution rights picked up by Waterstones.
Second year English literature, Sociology and Business student McKenzy also lost his mother in 2021. Reflecting on his journey, McKenzy credits his childhood love of creative writing for helping him rebuild his life. “Despite facing some horrible tragedies recently, I know that I need to keep writing to keep living,” he shared. “It’s through my writing that I’ve discovered the beautiful aspects of grief, and I hope that by sharing my experiences through stories, I can help others understand and process their own emotions.”
“The heart of the novel – the unbreakable bond between siblings – was profoundly influenced by the recent loss of my own brother. His passing opened my eyes to the depth and power of sibling relationships, allowing me to craft an authentic and touching portrayal of this connection. In a way, this book is a tribute to the greatest bond I've ever known, and I'm grateful to share a piece of that with the world,” McKenzy explained.
Set in Regency England, Cordelia Kills follows Cordelia Thornton, a young woman forced to become a perfect killer after her sister’s disappearance and an accidental death. This gripping narrative showcases McKenzy’s talent and his ability to transform personal pain into compelling storytelling.
McKenzy said he’s been supported in the exciting early stages of his career by his English Literature teacher, as well as the wider college community.
“My college has played a significant role in shaping me as a writer,” he said. “The English department, in particular, has been instrumental in broadening my horizons by introducing me to a wide variety of literary periods. Their support and guidance have been invaluable in my journey as an author.”
McKenzy’s English teacher Joanna Richards said: “McKenzy’s accomplishments are brilliant – a fabulous accolade for a writer at any point in their career, but especially for a young person who is still yet to go through UCAS.
“In 2021, as we navigated a world full of lockdowns, social distancing and online and blended learning, McKenzy lost his mother, Kelsey. Returning to his childhood love of creative writing helped McKenzy to rebuild.
“This summer McKenzy and his family suffered the devastating loss of Harvey, McKenzy’s brother. In addition to composing the beautiful tribute to Harvey and processing his own grief, McKenzy released his third novel, Cordelia Kills, channelling a dark regency tale of a young woman, driven to crime, violence and murder by the loss of a sibling.
“The odds have been stacked against him and his heart has been broken, but he just keeps triumphing - demonstrating his talent, drive, focus and resiliency – and continues to heal.”
As a college we commend McKenzy and celebrate his resilience and creativity. McKenzy’s journey is testament to the power of perseverance and the supportive environment fostered by the college community. We are incredibly proud of McKenzy and look forward to seeing his future successes.