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.