Anne Johns
What experience did you gain on your course which has helped with your career?
Excellent modules; quality teaching by skilled and approachable tutors; uncompromising deadlines; good library resources and post-graduate research advice seminars made for first class study experience, while being a Subject Representative at subject, school and faculty levels gave excellent insight into organisation and management. The Careers Advice Service, SEA and Volunteering Service were also very helpful.
What was the best part of studying at Derby for you?
The challenging teaching, wide student age range and high quality study resources. In extra-curricular terms I was a member of the Students' Union Council as Mature Students' Officer, was ADT Subject Representative of the year and won the 'dusted' Contributor of the Year award, which was all very affirming. Other highlights were a study trip to Poland for my dissertation; work at Derby Telegraph and a month long vacation course learning German at Osnabrück University (self-organised).
Why did you choose Derby?
I chose Derby because of its reputation for Creative Writing and I had been impressed by Professor Carl Tighe whom I had heard speak at a function in the city and at an open day. Also, it was manageable, affordable and it fitted in with the rest of my life as I could live at home.
How would you sum up your experience as a student at Derby?
My experience was highly satisfying, fulfilling, successful (I graduated with a 1st class honours degree) and door-opening even at my stage of life. It was very demanding!
Since graduating what have you been doing?
I have been writing a novel (autobiographical-fiction). I came to the university to learn how to write, and have now also published a short story and articles, some of which were commissioned, in a variety of newspapers and magazines.
Where do you see yourself in a year's time?
As a published author, with a sequel in progress. This has already been discussed with the publisher and the door is open ... it all depends on how the first one sells! I'm also writing more articles for various publications.
My book is called "Cathedral Chapters" and is based upon my experiences as Visitors and Education Officer at Derby Cathedral, though all the characters have to be composites and none can be individually identifiable. Publisher - Roman books; due out in hardback in November 2012. The book will be published under my pen name, Hannah Dewrance, chosen because Hannah is an old form of my first name, Anne, and Dewrance is an old family name. My late mother published children's fiction under the pen name of Margaret Dewrance, so it's also a link with her.
