My research specialism is in children's literature, in particular the young adult novel, which I also write as part of my creative practice. I am widely published. I write fiction for young adults and children and also shorter fiction for adults.
My creative practice and research interests also include experimental writing, writing in other languages, historical writing and speculative writing.
I completed a PhD in Creative and Critical Writing in 2007, shortly before I came to the University of Salford. Previously I taught creative writing at the University of Portsmouth and the University of Wales, Bangor.