Students and staff in Creative Writing (School of English) were delighted to welcome author Chloe Timms back to the University on 12 October.
A graduate of the MA in Creative Writing, Chloe has since received major acclaim for her novel The Seawomen, described by author Kirsty Logan as ‘The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Shape of Water’, and by author Cathy Rentzenbrink as ‘beautiful and profoundly satisfying’.
During her visit, Chloe gave an inspirational talk about the book’s origins in a short story that she wrote for the MA – one that her tutors immediately thought had the scope to become a novel – her literary inspirations, including Margaret Atwood, the research that she undertook to build the vivid world of the book, and how she went through multiple drafts to craft and shape the final story.
Dr Amy Sackville, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and Deputy-Head of the School of English, said: ‘We were absolutely thrilled to have Chloe back at the School. The weekly Reading Series offers students and our wider creative community an opportunity to learn from visiting writers and discuss their work in a relaxed, informal setting. It was really inspiring to hear about Chloe’s experiences of writing, publishing and podcasting. We’re extremely proud of her.’
After her MA, Chloe won a scholarship for the Faber Academy where she completed their six-month novel writing course. She is passionate about disability rights, having been diagnosed with the condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 18 months old, and has campaigned on a number of crucial issues. She hosts a regular podcast, ‘Confessions of a Debut Novelist’. The Seawomen is her first novel.