Prize winning novelist and short story writer.

I teach creative writing in a variety of settings, including at Birkbeck College and the Mary Ward centre, and for

Spread the Word.

I specialise in facilitating writing in community settings. Recent projects have included 'Roots and

Shoots', an inter-generational project with refugees and asylum seekers for Croydon Museum, 'Five Bob', working

with Southwark Pensioners, generating texts for banners, and 'Photography and Writing' at the De La Warr Pavilion.

I regularly volunteer as a dramaturg for Scene and Heard, enabling children to write plays, which are then

performed by professional actors. Artist-in-residence at Brockwell Park Lido in June 2008.

Published Work:

1990 - Silent Health ISBN 1-871103037

1994 - Viewfindings ISBN 1- 899457003

1995 - What Can A Woman Do With A Camera?

ISBN 1857270770

2002 - Bridport Prize Anthology ISBN 1-900178699

2005 - Treading Water ISBN 1-904598412

Reviews: Guardian, The Scotsman, Herald, Sunday Herald

Short stories, articles and features: includes Young Minds, Woman's Own, and

Virago website.

Awards:

Greater London Arts Production Grant 1991

Arts Council Research and Development Award 1994

Woman's Own Short Story Competition 2000 (First)

Bridport Prize 2002 (Runner Up)

Virago/Marie Claire Short Story Competition 2003 (Second)

Writers Pool (Arts Council/RLF) Mentor Recipient 2004

Dundee Book Prize 2005 (Finalist)

Fish Unpublished Novel Award 2005 (Finalist)

Pendleton May First Novel Award 2005 (Longlisted)

Can Serrat Full Stipend (writer's residency)

Arts Council England Individual Artist's Award 2006

MacDowell Colony Fellowship 2007

Brockwell Lido residency 2008

Represented by Judith Murray at Greene and Heaton

I have known Claire for nearly five years and have always been extremely impressed by her professionalism, warmth and ability to work and connect with people when teaching creative writing.

She has run a wide range of workshops in community settings for writers of all levels at Spread the Word and in September 2006 was a lead-tutor in the organisations Write Next Door project. This was a series of open creative writing workshops across east London. Claire had clearly prepared thoroughly for each workshop and went the extra mile to get the best out of each member of the group.

I have never known Claire to be late for a workshop or meeting and she has a fantastic sense of humour. She is a pleasure to work with and a wonderful writer in her own right; I would have no hesitation in working with her again at Spread the Word.

Director Spread The Word, London

I am delighted to recommend Claire for work within your organisation. Claire has worked with InSpire, a community centre for learning and the arts for the last 2 years.

Claire has used written word and poetry workshops to engage a variety of groups in community activities and adapted her style and methods of learning to produce creative pieces from Mum and toddler groups, elders, teenagers and 8-12 year olds.

Claire?s latest piece of work with us took written words and phrases and turned them into stunning light installations in neon and lightboxes that were displayed around SE17.

She was a total professional and a joy to work with as a freelancer, she is highly organised and motivated and thinks innovatively about both her subject matter and application of results into the finished art piece.

Centre Director InSpire, London