About

I have been passionate about words and stories for as long as I can remember. My first love was poetry but I went on to experiment with playwriting at university, and came to fiction in my 30s. I’ve written two YA novels, both set in historical and/or fantasy worlds. Balancing the two sides of my practice – as poet and novelist – can be challenging, but I am excited by the different joys they bring. I love finding the few right words to convey a moment or feeling in a poem, but also the thrill of discovering my characters and narrative in a novel.

It’s been wonderful to have the chance to share my poems at numerous readings and events, both in person and online. Venues have included pubs, galleries, bookshops, libraries, festivals and the Vagina Museum.

As well as my own writing, I enjoy helping others to develop their creativity and have worked for many years as a freelance creative writing workshop leader. This has involved teaching in various settings including adult education, schools, youth groups, day-centres for older people, day-centres for homeless and vulnerable adults, young carers’ groups, prisons, theatres and museums.

My background is in new writing theatre and community arts, and I’ve had some very rewarding jobs; at Soho Theatre, the National Association of Writers in Education and The Women’s Library, to name a few.

I live in the Suffolk countryside with my husband and daughter.

You can see me reading some poems here, as part of Live Canon’s Lunchtime Poetry Reading Series.