For over sixteen years I worked in a support role in Primary schools across Notts and Leics. In school I was involved with a club promoting writing. We wrote an Easter play and performed it, we explored poetry and collaborated to broadcast a wonderful Christmas story for radio. I have delivered bible teaching across primary school ages. When I won a short story competition with the local Fosseway Writers it was exciting as was with Unique Writing Publications, in 2011. Also, I performed at the Lincoln Book Festival, Arts 4 Human Rights in Shoreditch and the RNIB Perception Exhibition, London. With a short story I read at Lancaster Uni's Writing for Liberty Conference. I collaborate with Leicester University and NHS Partnership Trust Arts in Mental Health at Attenborough Arts Centre, with Lifelong Learners. Also, I read at the Byron Festival a short YA story about the Paralympics called, "Still First" from an ebook mini-anthology. In the past, at libraries with EveryBody's Reading Festival I delivered family story workshops. For that I produced a small family history booklet for 7-11's, called Great War Winners. Various short stories can be downloaded here: http://www.cutalongstory.com/authors/f.-linday/1251.html I collaborate in heritage arts with Nottingham University delivering poetry at the Contemporary as part of their Lace 2 Place and with Nottingham City Arts, Words of Wisdom projects. My publishing attributes include a young adult novel called "Get Over It," 2009, Onwards & Upwards. "The Heavenly Road Trip," Ebook 2012, Help For Writers. "Family Matters," is an anthology of new writing in 2019, Dahlia Publishing-A collection of short stories and poetry in collaboration with a dozen Attenborough Arts learners and a hand full of guests, supported by ACE's GFTA Lottery. Poetry and stories are in anthologies. 2021 saw my collection of inspirational short stories and poetry brought together by Onwards & Upwards, called "Count Our Blessings." For 2022, Dahlia Publishing are producing "Making Our World Better," another commissioned anthology, supported by ACE. see Author page www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B007XQE17W

I hold a TEC Higher Cert in Planning, Cartography and Surveying which was my first job. Since then I've achieved a City & Guilds in Learning Support and NVQ III in Child Care & Early Years Education. In 2012,I achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching with TEFL. In 2000 I gained a Certificate in Creative Writing at Lancashire University, distance learning. My work raises awareness of child issues eg. go to www.therecusant.org.uk to view prose called 'Off the Beaten Track'. My novel, 'Get Over It' is a self help tool for grieving families. I promote the book aimed at 14+ age group within social/care support settings. In 2010, I accredited my voluntary counselling experience and training by gaining a 'Working with Loss' certificate in therapeutic bereavement support skills. I've had training in Healing Word Poetry and Using Arts to Develop Aspiration, with Artsplan. I've had useful training in Arts in Mental Health, Notts(CAMHS). Arts In Education training (Arts Awards Explorer, Bronze Silver training) And at the University of Leicester's New Writers Centre I gained a CPD Cert 2 Day teaching Creative Writing at post-16. Nearly ten years ago, I become a foundation Relational Dynamics Coach for Writers. The experience of coaching since then recently has been extended to include the Action Learning Programme for peers. (see my contacts page at www.fionalinday.co.uk.) I'm treasurer of the Scriptorium Writers' Group, Southwell associated with The Association of Christian Writers plus holding membership of the Society of Authors. There has been an inclusion in an American anthology called, "Spiritual Awakenings" of 'Love'. My short Christmas prose, 'By the Grace of God go Eye' was included on a blog, under poetry. In 2015 Leicester's anthology of stories for adults in KLiCbait Volume 2, "Between This Life & the Next."
See an article about my writing here-http://www.mindandsoul.info/Articles/429603/MindandSoul/Resources/Testimonies/LoveandThe.aspx I read a young adult story at Arts for Change in Nottingham. This year my expressive lockdown poetry has been included on various sites, including Edgehill University, Nottingham City Arts & Leicester Museum. See my article on the Action Learning Programme in Issue 82, Writing in Education magazine.

Just wanted to thank you for your superb contribution and our bottle - lovely thanks.

I received this mail from a friend of mine that attended last night. Great feedback for you.

'Thank for an entertaining evening. I know you work hard on this radio stuff, and it's paying off mate. You did bloody good, professional, amusing, voice carried well, good writing. Interesting acts as well, the lady who wrote about coping with the loss of a child stuck in my mind, was moving. Thought the girl who sang was amazing. I'm not used to poetry if I'm honest, but it's interesting to hear people play with words and form, I enjoyed the program. Well done man, really nice one.

I think we all say that if we can reach/speak to just one person then we've done our job - it would appear that you've certainly had an effect on my friend, and, I think many, many more.

Presenter, The Reading Room, Siren 107.3 FM

I am glad that you had a productive time, and we really value your contribution to the event, particularly as you got involved at such short notice.

Your time and effort is genuinely appreciated, and please do keep in touch.

Your piece also received extremely good feedback, which I thought you would be pleased to know; and I know the other Romany focused performers were glad that you were involved, and enjoyed experiencing a further perspective on the Romany experience.

All in all, we're really glad you came, and thank you so much for your time and energy.

Events Manager, Arts 4 Human Rights

I am delighted to write a reference for Fiona, having enjoyed her enthusiasm for writing in tis many ways and forms over the five years I have worked with her at our primary school.

She is a continual source of ideas and enthusiasm and has taken an active part in our Writing Club which has run successfully for three years now. It was Fiona's idea to let the children work on their own play script to be performed at an Easter assembly; it was Fiona's hard work that enabled another group of children to produce imaginative and excitin poetry which was read out to the whole school. It was also Fiona's idea to make a 'chocolate box' of short stories for our school library which everyone shares and enjoys today.

It is true to say that Fiona has a deep commitment to her own writing but much more importantly than that she encourages others to write to the best of their ability too. She is a generous and caring person who can nurture the artistic ambition in any child, and who enables children to do their very best and produce writing to be proud of.

Everyone in our school has benefitted from Fiona's passion for writing. I wish her all the best in her writing career.

Primary School Teacher, Pierrepont Gamston Primary School, Nottingham