ABOUT ME

I'm a queer, disabled novelist and screenwriter living in Edinburgh. I also write poetry and creative non-fiction. I've recently completed an own-voice, contemporary, coming-of-age romance novel, for young adults. Set in California, this is a sweeping, cinematic story of friendship tipping into heady romance, which explores mental illness, disability and family dynamics; and how they inform our identity.

​We Are Fractals was recently selected for the Write Mentor Summer Mentoring Programme 2020; has received a special mention from the Write Mentor Children's Novel Award 2019; and selected as runner-up for the Jericho-Marjacq Bursary for Under-Represented Voices 2018. I was a finalist in the Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award 2020 and I'm one of four participants in the Diverse Critics Scheme, a programme delivered by Creative Scotland in partnership with Disability Arts Online and The Skinny.

I write about things I care about; mental health and illness, disability and diversity. I've been a children's bookseller, a literary agent reader, a marketing executive and I have an honors degree in Biomedical Science. I've recently completed courses in screenwriting at Screen Academy Scotland and business start-up at Creative Bridge. I'm a member of SCBWI.

I aim to improve access to development opportunities for disabled writers through consultation and raising awareness of the barriers to development. I've consulted with various organisations on access, including Cymera Festival, Paisley Book Festival, the Scottish Book Trust and Magfest.

Earlier this year I chaired a panel event, Breaking the Mould: Creating low-income and Disabled Access to Publishing at Paisley Book Festival.

Here's a recent video where I chatted with fellow disabled author, Ever Dundas, about how our lives as disabled writers have been impacted by Covid-19. This was for the Edinburgh City of Literature Spotlight feature.