In some ways, yes! Although I actually wrote the first draft of Wolf Siren before starting the PhD. I started it for one of my MA assignments.

It was [writing] this that made me realise that there was a gap in the research surrounding disability and fairy tales, and this prompted my PhD application.

However, I got my agent and book deal during the PhD, so when editing and re-drafting Wolf Siren, the academic research I was doing was never far from my mind.

Before the MA I was mostly writing poetry, but I used the MA as motivation to branch out into fiction. It was an amazing way to explore what I liked to write, both by responding to the various writing tasks we were set, but also dedicating more time to writing generally.

I wrote a lot in that year, as I did the MA full time and I kept reminding myself that I might never have as much time to write as I did in that year, and I wanted to make the most of it. I say this because it really is true that the best way to get better at writing is by doing a lot of it!

The MA was also the first time I’d had experience of a creative writing workshop environment. I learned a lot by reading and giving feedback on other students’ work. I also learned about the process of querying for an agent, something I previously knew absolutely nothing about. On this last point, especially, the MA definitely gave me the confidence to look for an agent far sooner than I would have done otherwise.

I performed a fifteen-minute set of creative non-fiction and poetry that explored my own experience of being disabled. I also got a chance to perform poetry that I have written since starting my PhD that specifically explores disability in fairy tales.

It was lovely to be asked to be part of the event. Performing is always nerve-wracking but to be able to do so in front of an engaged and supportive audience is a great experience, and definitely the time to practice! Meeting other poets who are exploring similar themes in their work is also extremely helpful and always leads to thoughtful and thought-provoking discussion.

The event gave me the chance to perform for an in-person audience, something I do not have much experience with doing. It was great to have that opportunity and to receive feedback which I hope will give me more confidence when performing going forward.

I chose the University of Birmingham because I had the support of two incredible supervisors. They both supported me with my PhD and M4C funding applications, so I felt they were really on my side from the beginning, which was beyond encouraging! My primary supervisor, Ruth Gilligan, supervised me for my Creative Writing MA dissertation, which I also did at UoB, and I got the idea for my PhD research during Ruth’s MA module on Intertextuality. Rachel Sykes is my secondary supervisor and they have supported me in my reading and research on Disability Studies for the critical element of my PhD. Between Ruth’s support for the creative element and Rachel’s for the critical essay, I have supervisors with expertise in areas key to my research.

The best thing about my course has been the opportunity to focus on something I am really passionate about and to be able to dedicate so much time to writing.

The support from my supervisors has been incredible. I can’t fault them! They’ve encouraged and supported me in progressing with the PhD and the expectations and workload has always felt manageable. But they have also been supportive of my writing outside of the PhD, which has made such a positive difference for me.