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

I’m an artist and writer based in Edinburgh. After graduating from a fine art degree in 2010 I developed an arts practice that included site specific storytelling performances and community focused projects.

In 2022 my first book, The Neighbouring Orchard was published by Art Walk Press. The book tells the story of creating a community of 160 apple trees across Edinburgh’s coastal suburbs featuring original illustrations and interviews with the growers. In 2022 I was also shortlisted for the QuietManDave prize in flash nonfiction.

For my Masters I am working on a creative nonfiction book which explores the transformation of materials – from the willow stick turned into a piece of drawing charcoal, to the animal carcass which is made into sweet jelly. I am fascinated by how we relate to the physical world, adapting and processing substances for practical, artistic and cultural purposes.

As part of the Masters I’ve also been experimenting with including elements of memoir in my work, in particular exploring the experience of migraine and its treatments.

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

The insightful feedback – from both the tutors and my fellow course mates – has been very encouraging in building my confidence as a writer. The MA has given me valuable time and space to hone my work and I’m now at the stage where I have the confidence to start approaching agents. I also have a better sense of where my work might fit in the publishing industry, and of how I want my work to develop.

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

Being able to workshop my own work and that of my fellow students has been invaluable. It’s wonderful to build relationships with other writers and it’s lovely to have a network of people I know I can turn to. I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to push my work outside of my usual mode of working such as merging my visual art practice with the written word ­. During the Creative Project module, I presented a piece of text exploring migraine on a hand printed cake wrapper – it’s great to be able to be playful with form! I’ve also enjoyed reading a diverse range of writing outside my own area of interest.

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

Give yourself time to read widely, and don’t be afraid to experiment with new forms of writing. This is such a good opportunity to receive feedback, and to get to know how your writing lands with other people. It can be intimidating to begin with, but everyone in the workshops has your best interests at heart.