Experience

First Story

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Writer in Residence

  • Oct 2023 - 3 months



Comma Press

• United Kingdom
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Creative Writing Tutor

  • Jun 2020 - 3 years 7 months

  Online Teaching three 12-week online courses in short story writing for Comma Press, tutoring students in the mechanics of short story writing using a crafts and techniques approach. Over the course of twelve weeks, students read and discuss a reading list of classics, modern greats, magic realism, and the modern urban weird, learning techniques to create their own short fiction.



Fictions of Every Kind

• Project Manager

  • Jul 2022 - Oct 2023

  Leeds Fictions of Every Kind is Leeds' longest running non-profit literary social. As a live lit event, using funding from Wade's Charity and Leeds Inspired we have successfully brought a number of internationally known writers to Leeds for audiences to enjoy at an affordable price. These have included: Adam Marek, Kirsty Logan, Anneliese Mackintosh, Tania Hershman, Lara Williams, Zoe Lambert, Nasser Hussain and Zodwa Nyoni, amongst others. We currently run affordable, accessible 1-day urban… Show more Fictions of Every Kind is Leeds' longest running non-profit literary social. As a live lit event, using funding from Wade's Charity and Leeds Inspired we have successfully brought a number of internationally known writers to Leeds for audiences to enjoy at an affordable price. These have included: Adam Marek, Kirsty Logan, Anneliese Mackintosh, Tania Hershman, Lara Williams, Zoe Lambert, Nasser Hussain and Zodwa Nyoni, amongst others. We currently run affordable, accessible 1-day urban writing retreats at Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds. These one-day writing retreats aim to give writers the time and space they need to create their work. More information about these are on the Fictions of Every Kind website. "Don't change anything about it! Keep doing what you're doing" - audience comment. https://fictionsofeverykind.wixsite.com/fictionsofeverykind Show less



Self-employed

• Author

  • Mar 2010 - Jul 2022

  My short fiction has appeared in various journals and anthologies in the US and UK. Most recently, my weird and unsettling story 'Backstreet Nursery' was published in the prestigious journal Short Fiction 8. You can read it below.



Arts at the Arms

• Retail Art Supplies

• Podcaster

  • Dec 2020 - Mar 2021

  Leeds, England, United Kingdom My radio play, "A Lockdown Surprise", was produced by Arts At The Arms in January 2021, directed by Dermot Daly and produced by the Arts At The Arms team. I was also interviewed on the podcast about my writing process and inspirations for the piece, by Arts At The Arms team member James Underwood. You can listen to the piece below.



Strix Magazine

• Fiction Editor

  • May 2018 - Aug 2020

  Leeds, United Kingdom Strix is a magazine of poetry and short fiction, launched in May 2017. In its first issue, Strix contributors have featured twice in Carol Rumens’ Guardian Poem of the Week blog (‘—handsome, streamlined and sharp-eyed’) and the magazine itself was shortlisted for Best Magazine in the Saboteur Awards in 2018 and 2019. Strix appears three times a year, featuring the best short fiction and poetry it can gets its claws on—we feature established writers and those in the earlier stages of… Show more Strix is a magazine of poetry and short fiction, launched in May 2017. In its first issue, Strix contributors have featured twice in Carol Rumens’ Guardian Poem of the Week blog (‘—handsome, streamlined and sharp-eyed’) and the magazine itself was shortlisted for Best Magazine in the Saboteur Awards in 2018 and 2019. Strix appears three times a year, featuring the best short fiction and poetry it can gets its claws on—we feature established writers and those in the earlier stages of their writing life. Show less



Northern Short Story Festival

• Project Manager, Director

  • Apr 2015 - Jul 2020

  Leeds, England, United Kingdom The Northern Short Story Festival, which draws visitors from all over the UK to Leeds, is the North's only dedicated short story festival. Described as "unique, groundbreaking - just brilliant" and as "one of the best small festivals in the North of England", the festival has a diverse and affordable programme. As well as developing and producing new work, the festival is also known nationwide for its ambition to literary excellence. Our year-round programme includes hyperlocal Writer in… Show more The Northern Short Story Festival, which draws visitors from all over the UK to Leeds, is the North's only dedicated short story festival. Described as "unique, groundbreaking - just brilliant" and as "one of the best small festivals in the North of England", the festival has a diverse and affordable programme. As well as developing and producing new work, the festival is also known nationwide for its ambition to literary excellence. Our year-round programme includes hyperlocal Writer in Residency programmes throughout the city, themed mini-festivals, and opportunities for new writers. Funded by the arts@leeds programme, the festival enjoys great working relationships with Leeds International Film Festival, The Centre for New Chinese Writing at Leeds University, Remembering Oluwale Charity, Carriageworks Theatre, and Walter Swan Charity. Show less



Northern Short Story Festival

• Project Manager: Northern Short Story Festival Academy Scheme

  • Sep 2017 - Jun 2019

  Leeds, England, United Kingdom Developing partnerships with the Walter Swan Charity, supporters of the scheme, it was a privilege to play a key role in developing the Northern Short Story Festival Academy scheme, which develops and nurtures new short story writing talent in the North of England. Alumni of the scheme have gone on to sign book deals, secure agent representation, and have their audio work produced by the BBC. The scheme has now nurtured 24 writers who have graduated from the scheme, thank you to… Show more Developing partnerships with the Walter Swan Charity, supporters of the scheme, it was a privilege to play a key role in developing the Northern Short Story Festival Academy scheme, which develops and nurtures new short story writing talent in the North of England. Alumni of the scheme have gone on to sign book deals, secure agent representation, and have their audio work produced by the BBC. The scheme has now nurtured 24 writers who have graduated from the scheme, thank you to mentoring from Anna Chilvers. Anthologies resulting from the scheme have included: May You, the Walter Swan Anthology (Valley Press) and This New North (Valley Press.) Show less



First Story

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Creative Writing tutor

  • May 2015 - Jan 2019

  Leeds, United Kingdom Working with this excellent creative writing charity, I have provided term-long and year-long residencies at Titus Salt School, Bradford and Leeds East Academy, Seacroft. I work with students in KS3 to produce stories and poetry, developing their confidence and their writing skills, then produce and copy-edit their manuscript for publication.



Valley Press

• United Kingdom
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Project Manager: Remembering Oluwale anthology

  • Nov 2015 - Jun 2016

  The Remember Oluwale Writing Prize In partnership with Valley Press, David Oluwale Memorial Foundation and Leeds Big Bookend, I convened and ran the Remember Oluwale Writing Prize, leading to the Remembering Oluwale Anthology (Valley Press, 2017). The competition, judged by Ian Duhig, Marina Lewycka, and Caryl Philips, produced competition winners in poetry and prose categories, and an anthology which was selected as 'Best Anthology' at the Saboteur Awards in 2017. Reader comments: "Wonderful collection of voices on an… Show more In partnership with Valley Press, David Oluwale Memorial Foundation and Leeds Big Bookend, I convened and ran the Remember Oluwale Writing Prize, leading to the Remembering Oluwale Anthology (Valley Press, 2017). The competition, judged by Ian Duhig, Marina Lewycka, and Caryl Philips, produced competition winners in poetry and prose categories, and an anthology which was selected as 'Best Anthology' at the Saboteur Awards in 2017. Reader comments: "Wonderful collection of voices on an important subject" "A great city of the north really owning and owning up to its diverse and difficult histories. Art and articulacy. This *is* the best of modern Britain, in the face of Brexit and all other meanness and stupidity." "This is social history of a remarkable man who suffered unnecessary humiliation. The anthology is well and sensitively compiled by those who regarded the importance of Oluwale as a significant figure in highlighting racism today." Show less