I’m thrilled to announce that Val McDermid has selected me as one of the 10 most compelling LGBTQI+ writers working in the UK today!

Val said: “These writers are writing for everyone. These are not words for a niche readership. These are not writings for a ghetto. These are the works of writers who have something to say that can be – and should be – heard by as many people as possible.”

She continued: “Auden was wrong when he claimed “poetry makes nothing happen”. Words do change the world, reader by reader. They open our eyes, they provoke thought. The work of these 10 writers… will awaken in us fresh delight in the wonder of words.”

The list was commissioned by the National Centre for Writing and British Council, supported by Arts Council England as part of a two-year programme to promote writing from the UK to an international audience. It also includes the amazing Colette Bryce, Juno Dawson, Juliet Jacques, Keith Jarrett, Kirsty Logan, Andrew McMillan, Fiona Mozley, Mary Paulson-Ellis & Luke Turner.

The Guardian - The Word Is Out. Val McDermid selects Britain's 10 most outstanding lgbtq writers

A wonderful time was had by all the fundraising evening for the Young Oncology Unit at the Christie Hospital... I was honoured to be invited to be one of the speakers - in the company of inspiring (and entertaining) women like Val McDermid and Susan Calman. Not to mention the inspiring women on the committee who put so much passion into raising funds for this wonderful cause...

Honoured to be a part of it!

Val McDermid In Conversation with Rosie Garland
Fri 5th Feb 7.30pm

The Coast is Queer, Brighton & Hove’s festival of LGBTQ+ literature, returns in a special online version from 5-7 February 2021. Once again the programme brings together writers, performers, academics, activists and readers for a weekend of in-conversation events, workshops, films and discussions that celebrate queer lives and writing.

Presented by New Writing South & Marlborough Productions.

https://coastisqueer.com/val-mcdermid-in-conversation/