About

Having been an Associate Lecturer for the Creative and Professional Writing team over the last three years, I moved into my current role in September 2021, which sees me both co-leading the MA Creative Writing Programme (jobshare with Laura Stroud) and teaching several undergraduate modules. My main interests in writing and reading are science-fiction and horror, and particularly books that blur those boundaries with literary fiction IE Andrew Michael Hurley's Starve Acre or Daisy Johnson's Fen. I am a past graduate of the Creative Writing at the University of Derby also, having studied there in the last 1990s/early 2000s.

Teaching responsibilities

I have been involved in the Creative Writing programme over the last four years, and have taught on modules including Introduction to Professional Writing, Professional Writing for Publication and Different Modes for Different Media. I will be leading on Portfolio Project and Writing Apprenticeship (MA) in the coming term.

Professional interests

I have long had an interest in horror fiction and film, which has been a key area of research and study for me both for my fiction and non-fiction work. My current doctorate study is looking at how the more extreme end of horror can still have benefits for its readers and viewers, with a non-fiction component complemented by a novel exploring this ground creatively. I have also been heavily involved in the genre events scene in the UK, originating and running both the Edge-Lit and UK Ghost Story Festival events in Derby as part of my work with the QUAD venue.

Research interests

I have long been interested in ideas of transgression and creative work that pushes boundaries, or that provokes a very strong response in readers/writers and indeed society more widely. The changes over time in what is acceptable and what is not acceptable also have a particular interest for me as social constructs and contexts shift over time. As such, much of my research work has centred on horror but has also veered into the darker end of dramas and even more mainstream film/books at times. Examples would be books like American Psycho, Requiem for a Dream, Crash, Naked Lunch etc.

Qualifications

2:1 in Creative Writing with European Studies, University of Derby

Experience in industry

I have been actively involved in the writing industry in many guises since leaving University nearly twenty years ago, taking in roles in Literature Development and event management, working within publishing with Black Library/Solaris, and running my own small press (Boo Books, based in Derby) and proofreading, editing and mentoring services. I have also been actively running writing workshops and courses over the last fifteen years, culminating in my role teaching at the University of Derby. As a writer, I have had a science-fiction novel published (The Last War) as well as a non-fiction book looking at the powerful but controversial French horror film Martyrs.

Recent publications

Fighting Cats and Dogs, short story collection - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Cats-Dogs-other-animal-ebook/dp/B087V53SFS/
Monthly non-fiction article for Writing Magazine - https://www.writers-online.co.uk/
The Last War - science-fiction novel, new edition - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-War-Novel-Noukari-ebook/dp/B087YRD7DS/
Weekly horror movie review for Ginger Nuts of Horror - Film Gutter - https://www.gingernutsofhorror.com/film-gutter.html
Lead on Nine Inch Nails at 30 project - music reviews/retrospective - https://www.gingernutsofhorror.com/the-devls-music.html
Something Like Blood in 'The Hyde Hotel' anthology - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hyde-Hotel-James-Everington/dp/1522801138