Biography

In September 2000 I did the scariest thing I've ever done, and left the small town in Devon that had been the only home I could remember, to attend Edge Hill University near Liverpool. I graduated 3 years later with a 2:1 BA Hons Degree in Drama and Writing. After a short stint in Manchester, I craved the open spaces of Dartmoor and returned home.

I now live in a town in central Devon where I am lucky enough to lay claim to a fantastic cubby as my office, only allowing admittance to our cat, Neko, or bringers of coffee.

I write fantasy and horror. I've always had a fascination with these genres, reflected in my extensive collections of books and movies. I enjoy the feeling of freedom that writing fantasy gives me; I love creating a whole world for my characters, setting my own rules, and just running wild. And I'm fascinated by what scares people. Everyone has their own phobias, but there are basic fears that are pretty much universal to everyone; inbuilt fears that have helped to ensure the continuation of the human race. I like to play with these fears, and to explore the self-destructive tendencies of modern man.

My poetry is greatly inspired by my rural surroundings and the deep connection I feel to the Devon countryside. I write very earthy poetry, full of references to the changing seasons and the power of nature. Devon is a county full of such inspiration; all the way from its sweeping coastline, across the cultivated farmland to the rocky outcrops that overlook the wilderness of Dartmoor.

I began EGL Magazine in July 2008, and have seen it grow quickly from its very humble beginnings to the impressive and influential magazine it is today. In 2011 I took on a team of extra writers to cope with the influx of requests for articles, interviews and reviews. I have also written a number of articles for Mookychick Magazine and the Essential Writers website.