Emma Kittle-Pey FHEA

Hi 👋 I’m working on my PhD in Creative Writing focusing on contemporary fiction and gender. I’ve been thinking a lot about form and my work-in-progress is a short story cycle/fragmented novel - a mother-daughter relationship set in Essex - that’s nearly done (🤞🤞🤞year 6/6). This year I have presented 2 papers: On Angela Carter’s Influence at The University of Angers, France and ‘Beyond Isolation: Gender, Community and Social Change in the Short Story Cycle’ for a Short Fiction as World Literature conference at the University of Lisbon in association with the European Network for Short Fiction Research. I’ve also worked in teaching throughout and received a Fellowship (commended) of the HEA in 2020, having taught Origins and Transformations in Literature and lecturing (women’s suffrage comedies, drama and literature from the work of Prof Katharine Cockin) at the University of Essex. Right now I’m employed as a fixed term teacher (Creative Writing - The Writer’s Toolkit 2020-21, Postmodern Literature 2022 both hybrid teaching and Memory Maps Spring 2023). You might have heard of our community writing event - Colchester WriteNight - which I founded and curate with lots of help! We provide an inclusive networking space, welcoming acclaimed guests and writing together. During the pandemic we produced an anthology, Open Book, published by Patrician Press and supported by funding I acquired from Colchester Borough Council Creative Events Fund. I also run short fiction workshops and have interviewed authors/panels at Felixstowe and Essex Book Festivals. In the last few years I interviewed AL Kennedy online for Wivenhoe Bookshop, James Canton for Essex Book Festival, Naomi Booth for Short Fiction Journal, Nik Perring and Liz Trenow for WriteNight, as well as hosting a poetry reading event for Patrician Press. In 2022 I worked as Colchester Events Coordinator for Essex Book Festival. As well as in HE, I also teach Creative Writing at Adult Community Learning, Essex - a privilege! And as a class teacher in a local primary school - I wear several hats… Check my experience for details. I have also worked voluntarily as an Associate Publisher for Patrician Press, and on the Editorial board at Short Fiction Journal - reading and selecting a monthly story as part of a team and selection for the yearly SFJ/University of Essex short fiction competition. This is great experience for learning what works in short fiction. Contact me if you would like to chat/collaborate!