On my Goldsmiths MA in Creative and Life Writing, I was tutored by Lavinia Greenlaw, Maurice Riordan and Stephen Knight - lucky me!

I got my undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature from Glasgow Uni.

I write science fiction under the name Cleland Smith - a pseudonym made up of my maiden name and my married name.

Things about me

My cat is called Loki.

My debut novel Sequela was awarded a Kirkus star and was named to the Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2013.

I really, really like nutella.

I won the Templar Poetry Prize in 2006, which led to the publication of my pamphlet and my first full collection, and a single poem commendation in the Forward Prize.

I have read at the Derwent Poetry Festival, the Swindon Poetry Festival, the Scottish Poetry Library, and just about everwhere in London

I have recently competed my first historical fantasy novel, Black Doe, set in 2nd Century AD Pictland.

In 2010 I was chosen as one of the Aldeburgh Eight, which involves less crime fighting than you'd expect.

I heartily approve of any poetry reading that involves an element of karaoke.

I like to support small press Kickstarter projects from time to time.

My poem 'Cross' appeared in the Scottish Poetry Library's Best Scottish Poems series.

I have published in The Rialto, The North, Smiths Knoll, Mslexia, Frogmore Papers, Brittle Star, The Interpreter's House and more.