I am a widely published, multi-prizewinning poet who also loves teaching. With long experience at university and secondary level, I offer inspiring teaching on all aspects of writing and literature to adults and older teens – tailored if necessary to syllabus needs. I relish the challenges of the classroom and love making language’s thrills and complexities accessible.
A popular and trusted university teacher on English Literature, Creative Writing and Interdisciplinary degree programmes, my experience in marketing and advertising (as an agency-trained copywriter) gives me additional insights into language and its uses. I have a PGCE, an MA with Distinction and am a noted reader of others’ work and my own (on, for example, Poetry Please). I regularly facilitate poetry workshops and sessions for writers’ festivals; warm feedback and repeat commissions have inspired me to extend and develop this work.
Since January 2019 this has included co-editing of the long established poetry magazine Pennine Platform (www.pennineplatform.co.uk), with full responsibility for its editorial content and vision. Uniquely we offer brief constructive feedback on every poem submitted and may work with poets on those last few tweaks to see work into print: still, despite the ease of online publication, a goal for writers at all stages of their career.
Editor, Pennine Platform (www.pennineplatform.co.uk)
Writer, teacher, poet
P/t lecturer (0.2) at University of Bradford 2001-2015
SOME RECENT WORK & PRIZES
'Writing parks and play' Alton Towers Liminal Residency, April 2019
Grey Hen Competition Co-judge 2019
Earlier
'To sleep. perchance to write' NAWE Conference, November 2018
'Walking the line' Stanza Stones Project, Ilkley Festival 2015
Bridport 3rd Prize 2015
Troubadour commended 2014
Torbay shortlist 2014
Lightship International Poetry 1st Prize 2012
Bare Hands Poetry 1st Prize 2012
Elmet Poetry Competition 1st Prize 2011
LIPPfest Poetry Competition 1st prize 2011
Yorkshire Open Poetry Competition 1st Prize 2011
Torriano Competition 1st Prize 2011
Huddersfield University Poetry Competition 2011 – 2nd Prize
Ilkley Festival Poetry Competition 2011 Highly Commended
Poetry Business Pamphlet Competition Winner 2008
Northern Exposure Poetry Competition 2006 1st prize
Write Out Loud Poem of the Month April 2009
Shrewsbury Literary Festival 2003: 3rd prize
Wells Poetry Competition 2002 runner-up
Nottingham Competition 2008 Commended
Aesthetica Competition 2009 Highly commended
Raise Your Banners 2009 Political Poetry Competition 4th & 5th prizes
Salopian Literary Festival 2009 Commended
Plough Prize 2010 Highly Commended
Julia Deakin worked for me in her first teaching post, so I know what a talented teacher she is.
She is also:
*sharp, funny, talented and almost as famous as she deserves to be;
*a treasure house of ideas, enthusiasm, and sheer knowledge about what makes words work;
*the first person I turn to when I want to know what to do to make my poems better.
If:
*you’ve any doubts, check out Nick Barley’s encomium at www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6108197?
*you want someone who can spark those who think they have nothing to say, then she’s the one you want.
- you want someone who can take writers who think they’re OK and take them out of their comfort zone and up to another level, look no further.
I could go on, but you get the picture.
Former Language and Drama Adviser, Calderdale Education;
Primary Language Co-ordinator for BA(QTS), Bretton Hall/Leeds University
Feedback from two recent mixed experience (18+) workshops:
Leaving your self behind
Nice & varied materials. Great poems came out of this session.
Really enjoyable workshop, giving me some excellent pointers on how to write for the reader instead of just myself.
Great exercises and well thought-out challenges regarding breaking habits.
Interesting approach to changing my normal writing style.
Well run. Enjoyable and worthwhile for any writer.
Really helped me move away from my own voice and try new ones.
Excellent workshop: informative and thought-provoking, Julia is a great teacher with great teaching style, helpful suggestions and tips.
The techno-poem
Very informative. Lots of ideas to take away.
Influenced decisions on future poems I may write.
Julia was a great facilitator and gave us just the right amount of space to share our ideas. I was amazed at how productive the writing sessions were and I have the beginnings of two new poems.
Very useful in framing my thinking about technological poetry in practice – a good balance between writing, reading and discussing.