Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your career/published works or work-in-progress, including your Masters project(s)?

Prior to arriving at MMU, I studied English and American Studies at the University of California Davis, where my primary academic interest was the relationship between culture and the environment. Increasingly, I became drawn to the capability of writing to synthesise abstract or complex ideas and express them as emotionally resonant narratives. In 2019, I won the Stonybrook Short Fiction Prize for my short story This Is Where The Dead Things Dance, focused on the emotional ramifications of an oil spill on a small coastal town. After graduating, I applied to MMU’s MA program via the Fulbright Scholarship, hoping to use fiction to explore narratives around climate change and immigration.

How do you think being part of the Manchester Writing School community has helped your writing career?

Being able to understand the industry expectations for writers is enormously helpful. Having Professors guide me through integral aspects of pitching and presenting my work has filled me with the confidence to advance my career beyond this programme, particularly through opportunities such as the Industry Fair, where writers can interface with key industry professionals.

What did you find was your most valuable experience as part of the Manchester Writing School? What were the highlights?

My memorable experiences at the Manchester Writing School ranged from watching authors and professors animatedly discuss literary snobbery to listening to vinyls while reading poetry at the Manchester Poetry Library. Between those moments, I found a lot of value in my discussions with other writers, both inside and outside the classroom, developing an understanding for the craft of writing through careful analysis.

What advice would you give to students looking at studying at the Manchester Writing School, or just starting out on the course?

Do everything you can, because you can do almost everything. There are readings, award ceremonies, plays, performances, seminars, and that’s leaving out the theatres and libraries just a short walk away. Letting your interests guide you through the wealth of opportunities is a sure way to develop your work.