Liz Kessler
MA Creative Writing, 2003
About me
- Writer
- Studied: MA Creative Writing, 2003
About my career
I decided to pursue a master’s degree because of my desire to write a novel. Throughout the course, my desire to become a published author grew and I honed my writing and editing skills. The MA helped me figure out which direction to take, while the weekly workshops developed the disciplines and skills that have continued to help me as an author. Everything at MMU that helped me to become a better writer now goes into my day-to-day work.
Novels include:
- The Emily Windsnap series
- Three Young Adult books, including Read Me Like A Book (which is the book I wrote for my MA course, and my latest novel When The World Was Ours which came out this year to wide-ranging critical acclaim
- The Philippa Fisher series
- Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins
- Two time travel books: A Year Without Autumn and North of Nowhere
- Two Early Reader series: Poppy the Pirate Dog and Jenny the Pony
My top tip for students
Work hard. Be prepared to redraft your book many times before it is finished. When sending out your manuscript to agents or editors, always make sure you send your absolute best work. Take time to figure out whose opinions you value, and listen carefully to their feedback. Keep trying.
I’m inspired by
All the staff. Professor of Contemporary Poetry & Creative Director of the Manchester Writing School Carol Ann Duffy, Senior Lecturer Jacqueline Roy and Professor of Creative Writing and Director of the Writing School Michael Schmidt, were very encouraging of me and of the book I was working on.
Why I love Manchester Met
Everything at Manchester Met that helped me to become a better writer now goes into my day-to-day work.