Writing a novel is often described as a lonely process. I know, because I’ve lived it. From the late nights completing my PhD in Creative Writing, to the experience of publishing my debut novel. This journey has been about learning how stories work at a deeper level, understanding the mechanics of what holds a novel together and what makes it resonate. I’ve spent years working with other writers, supervising MA and PhD students as a lecturer at the University of Huddersfield and mentoring emerging Black and Asian writers. I've also taught across a range of writing courses and workshops.

I’ve navigated the path you're on. The Family Tree was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, the Portico Prize and The Diverse Book Awards. I was also selected by Kei Miller as one of ten “unmissable writers working in the UK” for the International Literature Showcase, and, was a finalist in the Women’s Prize & Good Housekeeping Futures Award. Alongside this, I’ve developed a strong understanding of both the craft of writing and the realities of the publishing industry. But what underpins all of this is a close attention to the work itself. I’m deeply interested in structure, voice and the small but significant shifts that can transform a piece of writing.

Whether I’m working on my own novel or reading someone else’s, the focus is always the same: to find the heart of the story and bring it into sharper focus. I work with writers who may feel stuck, uncertain or simply too close to their work to see it clearly. Together, we will look at what’s on the page, what’s not quite working yet and what the story is trying to become. The aim isn’t just to finish a draft, but to shape something that feels considered, confident, and ready for its next stage- whatever that might be.

Discover how you can work with me below...