Jane Alexander

I'm the author of two novels and several award-winning short stories, with years of experience in delivering writing workshops. I've taught creative writing fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and scriptwriting with all kinds of groups, from international students to local elderly people, from prison officers to learners recovering from substance misuse. Currently, I teach creative writing with Edinburgh University and the Open University.

My creative work often explores themes of isolation and connection, the way we use stories to make sense of our experiences, and the fuzzy areas between what's real and what's not-real. I'm also interested in writing about science and technology, and in stories that emerge from a particular place. I enjoy reading and discussing my work, and am available for reading events as well as workshops and residencies.

Sessions can be tailored to fit the needs and interests of a particular group, and might include:

• techniques for getting started with writing
• structuring novels or short stories
• advice on editing, rewriting and getting published
• tips for coming up with and developing ideas

Often I'll facilitate a group reading of a story or poems and demonstrate how this can generate new approaches and techniques for our own work.