I am a freelance writer and lecturer who has published stories, verse and articles in the UK, USA, Canada and Europe. My work inhabits (and transgresses) a range of genres, often attempting to meld elements of different media in a single piece of writing.

The poem "Barley Brew and Autumn" was nominated for the 2001 Rhysling long poem award. In 2003 I was jointly awarded a script development grant from the PAWS Drama Fund. The essay "Celtic Influences in the Works of Robert E. Howard" was nominated in 2011 by the Robert E. Howard Foundation for an outstanding achievement award.

I hold a BA (Hons) in Creative Arts, specialising in writing and drama, and an MA and PhD in Creative Writing. I have taught courses in writing, English and drama for over two decades for various universities, colleges, arts and educational organisations and hold an associate lectureship with Keele University. My articles on teaching and assessing creative writing have been published in 'Writing in Education' and 'New Writing'.

Besides teaching a small number of courses, I specialize in one-to-one tutorial work.

             PUBLICATION HISTORY

"Swords at Night," Pioneer magazine no.5, 1972 Fiction "The Terminal Strain," Spoke magazine no.16, 1977 Fiction "Twilight Shifts'" 'By....And Others' anthology, 1980 Fiction "Fourth Incarnation," Comic Strip in Fourth Incarnation magazine no.1, 1980, "The Fading Earth," Fourth Incarnation magazineno.1, 1980 Poetry "Ragnorok," Fourth Incarnation magazine no.1, 1980, Poetry "Rejection Slip," 'Syde Lines' anthology no.1, 1991 Poetry "Letter to the Times," Phancy magazine no.1, 1982, Poetry "Definition of a Cynic," 'Syde Lines' anthology no.2, 1982 Poetry "A Memory," Phancy magazine no.2, 1982 Poetry "Stars," Phancy magazine no.2, 1982 Poetry "fresh from dreamgames," 'Poems by Strangers' anthology no.2, 1984 Poetry "Definition of a Cynic," Bloodrake magazine no.7, 1984 Poetry "Dogs of the Insane," Bloodrake magazine no.7, 1984 Poetry "Shadrezzar," Fantasy Tales no.15, 1986 Poetry "Prison World," Comic Strip in Hardware magazine no.9, 1987 "The Ancient People," New Moon Quarterly magazineno.3, 1987 Poetry "Dreamgames," Dream magazine no.18, 1988 Fiction "Sighings," Weird Tales magazine, Fall 1989,
Poetry "Astral Kill," Comic Strip in Enigma magazine no.1,1990 "Hellsblood," Comic Strip in Enigma magazine no.1, 1990 "Twilight Shifts," Chills magazine no.5, 1991 Fiction "The Withering," Peeping Tom magazine no.4, 1991 Fiction "The Spell Merchant," Scheherazade magazine no.2, 1991 Fiction "Everyday Life In..." Cassandra newsletter June '91 Nonfiction "Kalborbriac," Mystique magazine no.4, 1992 Fiction "Exodus Over Mara," Nightfall magazine no.4, 1992 Fiction "Rejection Slip," People to People magazine no.17, 1992 Poetry "Definition 101," Envoi magazine no.103, 1992 Poetry "Shards of Sun," Envoi magazine no.103, 1992, Poetry "Evergreen," Envoi magazine no.103, 1992
Poetry "Scripting Comics," Cassandra newsletter Nov' 1992 Nonfiction "Demonstale," Scheherazade magazine no.7, 1993 Fiction "British Association Science Festival '93," Mindsparks magazine no.3, 1993 Nonfiction "Notes on a Ringbound Lap-Top," Haiku Quarterly magazine no.10, 1994 Poetry "The Feasters," Dark Horizons magazine no.35, 1994, Poetry "Quest for the Wind of Eternity," Wonderdisk Digital anthology no.7, 1995 Fiction "Distance Learning Creative Writing: A Pilot Project," Writing in Education magazine no.5, 1995 Nonfiction "MA'ed in Britain," Writers' Forum magazine Spring '96 Nonfiction "Cerberus," Scheherazade magazine no.13, 1996, Fiction "Definition of a Cynic," (reprint) All Creatures Weird & Wonderful anthology, 1997 Poetry "Exodus Over Mara" (reprint) Dark Planet online magazine, 20/8/97 - Fiction "Ludchurch," Pendragon magazine vol xxvi no.3, 1997 Poetry "50 Things the How-to Books Don't Tell You About Writing A Novel," Lexicon magazine vol 3 no.1, 1998 Nonfiction "50 Things the How-to Books Don't Tell You About Writing A Novel," Lexicon magazine vol 3 no.2, 1998 Nonfiction "Journal," StarLine magazine no.21.1, Jan-Feb 1998 Poetry "Weird Villanelle," StarLine magazine no.21.2, Mar-Apr 1998 Poetry "Elvensong," Exodus online magazine, December '98 Poetry "Feasters," Exodus online magazine, December '98 Poetry "Prophecies," Exodus online magazine, December '98 Poetry "Virtual Grafix," radio play produced by Minute Radio Drama, 1999 "Castles, And What They Are Not," Core Material anthology, July '99 Poetry "Adaptation as a Teaching Tool," Sheffield Hallam University 1999 Creative Writing Conference published proceedings Nonfiction "20 Things the How-to Books Don't Tell You About Writing A Novel," Canadian National Post, June 12, 1999 Nonfiction "Vicious Circle," Gothic.Net online magazine, August '99 Fiction "Chronojourn" published as "Through the Woods," The Zone magazine no.8, Autumn '99 Fiction "Keyboards," Krax magazine no.37, '00 Poetry "Barley Bree and Autumn," Magazine of Speculative Poetry, vol 4 no.4 (16), Autumn '00 Poetry "Barley Bree and Autumn," 2001 Rhysling anthology Poetry "Blade," Kimota magazine, no.15, Autumn '01 Fiction "Parallel-0-Gram," Raw Edge magazine no.13 Autumn-Winter '01 Prose Poem "Nightdweller," Abyss & Apex online magazine no.3, May-June '03 Fiction "Two Thieves of Kem," Scheherazade magazine no.26, '04 Fiction "id," Premonitions magazine no.1, '04 Fiction "Negotiating Difference: issues of accreditation," Writing in Education magazine no.34, 2004 Nonfiction "Dramatext - Offering Subjectivities," Writing in Education magazine no.35, 2005 Nonfiction "Necromantra" Novel - 1st Edition 2005 "Prophecies," The Dark Tower anthology volume # 1, 2006 Poetry "The Last Scream of Carnage," Flashing Swords e-anthology 2006 Fiction "ID," BBC Radio 7, 6-30pm, 28\2\07, 11\8\07, 2\9\08, 16\6\09, 5\1\10, 13\7\10, 2\3\11 Fiction "La quete pour le vent d'Eternite," (translation of "The Quest for the Wind of Eternity") Faeries magazine no.24, 2007 Fiction "The Birth of Merlin," Pendragon magazine vol xxxv no.1, 2007 Poetry "The Last of All Enchantments," Scheherazade magazine no.30, 2008 Fiction "The Last Scream of Carnage," The Return of the Sword anthology - 1st Edition 2008 Fiction "The Last Scream of Carnage," Return of the Sword anthology - 2nd Edition 2008 Fiction "Jettison," In the Telling anthology, 2009 Poetry "Coffee Graduands," Envoi magazine no.154, 2009 Poetry "Put to Bed," Envoi magazine no.154, 2009 Poetry "The Lane," Envoi magazine no.154, 2009 Poetry "Celtic Influences in the Works of Robert E. Howard," The Dark Man journal vol.5 no.1, 2010 Nonfiction "Streetwise," Electric Spec online magazine vol.5 no.2, May 2010 Fiction "Oxlow," Inside Out poetry collection 2010 Poetry "Fifteen Breaths," Demons anthology 2010 Fiction "Parallel-0-Gram," Space Squid magazine no.9, Fall 2010 Fiction "Identity Crisis," Thegoodearreview.com/ November '10 Monologue "Blasphemer," Damnation Books - Eternal Press Novelette 2010 "Assessment Reports as Exploded Haiku," New Writing International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing vol.8 no.1, March 2011 Nonfiction "Vilanelle of the Piece" Still Waters poetry collection 2011 Poetry "The Shadow Cycles" Novel - 1st Edition 2011 "Parallel-O-Gram" Best of Space Squid ebook, 2011 "A Poor Thing," New Writing International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing vol.9 no.1, March 2012 Poetry "Sidhe-Song" Heroic Fantasy Quarterly online magazine no.12, April 2012 Poetry "Technological Koan" Magazine of Speculative Poetry, vol 9 no.2 (34), Spring '12 Poetry "Rewrite," New Writing International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing vol.10 no.1, March 2013 Prose Poem “Vicious Circle” (reprint) Cutalongstory.com 2014 Fiction “Chorus Line: A Poem and a Poet’s Response to Making It” New Writing International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing Vol.12 No.1, 2015 (45-7) Poetry/Nonfiction “The Celt in the Machine”
Story and verse ebook collection – 1st Edition (Immanion Press) 2015 “Pricks of Conscience” Cutalongstory.com 2015 Fiction “Slow Fade: A Personal Take on Graphic Novels and Registers of Reality” (Part One) The Supplement No.75, September 2015. Nonfiction "Necromantra" Novel – 2nd Edition (Immanion Press) 2015 “Slow Fade: A Personal Take on Graphic Novels and Registers of Reality” (Part Two) The Supplement No.76, November 2015. Nonfiction “Berserker Synecdoche” The Dark Man journal Vol.8 No.1, 2015. Nonfiction “Unintended intentions” New Writing International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing. 2016 Online pending print publication Creative Non-fiction “Echoes out of Abaddon” Gothic monologue e-chapbook collection – 1st Edition (Immanion Press) 2016 Fiction “Nosfera-2” Horror Studies Vol.7 No.2 2016 Poetry “Beyond the dualistic interface: interacting creatively with feedback” New Writing International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing. Vol.15 No.4, 2018 Nonfiction

FREELANCE TEACHING EXPERIENCE

1987: "The Rivals of Tolkien" English Literature course for North Staffs W.E.A.

1989: "An Introduction to Science Fiction" English Literature course for Keele University Dept. of Adult & Continuing Education. 1989-90

1990: "Creative Writing" course for Kidsgrove Community Education Centre. (Staffs Youth & Community.) "Creative Writing" course for Leek College of F.E. 1990-91 "The Future of Science Fiction" English Literature course for Keele University Dept. of Adult & Continuing Education. 1990-91 "Mystery, Magic & Adventure" English Literature course for Hassell Community Education Centre. (Staffs Youth & Community.) 1990-91

1991: Ten-day (over ten weeks) drama placement with special needs group at the Grocott Centre, Fenton. (Art-Link.) English G.C.S.E. course taught at Uttoxeter Adult Education Centre. (Staffs Y&C.) "Towards Writing" joint Keele - W.E.A. creative writing course held at Cartwright House, Hanley. 1991-97 "A Writers' Workshop" creative writing course taught in Lichfield Cathedral Study Centre. (Keele U.) 1991-2005 "Writing for Pleasure" special creative writing course held in Stone Day Centre. 1991-94 "Writing for You" creative writing course lecture on SF\fantasy for Wedgwood Memorial College.

1992: Two-day residential course teaching school children (Coppenhall School, Crewe) drama and storytelling. "Enjoy Writing" creative writing course taught at Blythe Bridge Y&C Centre. (Keele U.) 1992-95 "Writing Creatively" creative writing course lecture on SF\fantasy for Wedgwood Memorial College. "Writing for the Mass Media" part of Staffordshire University's Film, Television & Radio Studies B.A. 1992-93

1993: Creative Writing course of five meetings, held at Hillcrest Rehabilitation Facility, Hanley, for clients of the facility (18\5\93-29\6\93). (Art-Link.) "Short Story Weekend" Keele University course with Tamar Hodes. 1993, 1994 Talk and Workshop on Science Fiction in H.M.Risley (24\9\93). "Writers' Workshop - Short Stories" held at Pendrell Hall Residential College, Codsall. 1993-1994

1995: Eight meeting one-to-one consultancy, tutoring poetry to a client with mental health problems. (Art-Link.) "Enjoy Writing" creative writing course taught in Tamworth Arts Centre. (Keele U.) 1995-6 "Towards Writing" creative writing course taught in Rugeley Library. (Keele U.) 1995-96 "Writers' Workshop - Multimedia Fiction Writing" held at Pendrell Hall Residential College, Codsall. Series of three writing workshops with volunteers at Cheadle Hospital as part of a prototype distance learning scheme intended to benefit longstay hospital patients and the housebound.

1996: Two two-hour sessions teaching creative writing on an arts/mental health training programme 'Image, Identity & Environment. (Art-Link.) "Memories into Words" day-workshop on autobiographical writing held at Pendrell Hall Residential College, Codsall. "Novel Writing" ("Towards the Novel") novel writing course taught at Keele University. (Keele U.) 1996-2010 Paper given on storytelling across media, "Mind the Gap" given at conference on Creative Writing & Popular Culture held at Bath College of H.E. "A Writers' Workshop" ("Exploring Creative Writing") creative writing course taught in the Chetwynd Centre, Stafford. (Keele U.) 1996-2010

1997: "A Beginners Guide to Computers for Writers" weekend course examining the pros and cons of word processors and word processing for creative writers. (Keele University.) Invited talk to Wilmslow Writers' Circle. "The Writer & the Sense of Place" three literature study days combining the examination of a particular writer (Alan Garner, Arthur Berry, the 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight' poet) with creative writing exercises. (Keele U.) 1997-98

1998: Ten-week creative writing course. (Newcastle-under-Lyme College.) Personalised Arts Services/Age Concern: Six-week writing workshop with a group of elderly and disabled students at Ladywood Health and Community Centre, Birmingham. 1998 "Working at Fiction" general fiction writing course taught at Keele University. (Keele U.)

1999: Workshop given on Adaptation as a creative writing teaching tool at a Creative Writing Conference held at Sheffield Hallam University. "Short Story Writing" course taught at Keele University. (Keele U.) 1999-2004

2001: National Association of Writers' Groups Festival, Durham: four workshops (plus surgeries) on radio drama, Journalism, film & TV scriptwriting and adaptation.
"Scriptwriting for Stage, Screen and Radio" scriptwriting course taught at Keele University. (Keele U.) 2001-2004

2003: "Short Story Writing - Complementary Studies" one-term module with full-time undergraduates studying for degrees at Keele University. (Keele U.) 2003, 2004

2004: Residency at Brighton House Residential Home, Newcastle, working as a writer encouraging writing and reminiscence over three months.

2005: Etruria Cafe Theatre: Combined playwriting\acting weekend with Gill Adamson. (March) Etruria Cafe Theatre: series of one-to-one script mentoring workshops. 2006: "Writing the Short Story" short story writing and telling course at Brough Park Leisure Centre, Leek. (Keele U.) 2006-2008

2007: "The Fantastic Continuum" Two sessions on the science-fiction/fantasy/ghost genres for the MA in Creative Writing at Loughborough University.

2008: Etruria Cafe Theatre/Rising Brook Writers: Stage scriptwriting workshop day June 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. External Examiner for Loughborough University's MA in Creative Writing programme 2008 – 2010. "Passing Through Plot" Two sessions on the vignette for the MA in Creative Writing at Loughborough University.
"Write On!" A workshop session on the science-fiction/fantasy/ghost genres for Stoke-on-Trent Libraries. (City Centre Library) 2008. "Write On!" A day school on the short story for Stoke-on-Trent Libraries. (City Centre Library) 2008. "Write On!" A weekend course for writers, giving taught sessions and individual tutorials. (Wedgwood Memorial College) 2008

2009: "Writing the Short Story" short story writing and telling course at Brough Park Leisure Centre private short story writing course(formally facilitated by Keele University)Leek. 2009-11

2010 Rising Brook Writers: Stage scriptwriting workshop day July 2010, June 2011, 2012, 2013 Whitfield Community Centre Novel Writing course (formally held at Keele University) 2010-2013

2014: Two sessions on vanity/self/electronic publishing and reasons for writing given to Stafford U3A group

2015: “Telling and/or Showing” lecture-workshop on descriptive techniques in storytelling. Private class in Leek

2016: Excel Academy Literary Festival – visiting writer presenting five talks on the subject of my novel ‘Necromantra’

I first encountered Phil Emery as a lecturer in Creating Writing through Keele University’s Outreach programme. Thanks to his guidance and support I now run a creative writing group for the University of the Third Age and have, on several occasions, asked Phil to lead writing workshops for us.

His sessions are always well prepared containing both interesting topics and good interaction with the students. His ability to explain, often with humour, can turn a somewhat daunting subject into something you enjoy and are eager to follow up with the knowledge that his comments will be constructive and lead to improvement.

As someone who had always wanted to write but had been restricted for many years by career and family commitments I have to thank Phil Emery for his inspiration that has given me knowledge and confidence to continue enjoying and seeking improvement in his beloved subject.

I attended Phil’s novel-writing courses for adult education at Keele University for five years in a row. I would still be going if the university had not decided to close down most of its adult education programme. Phil gives interesting lectures and always answers questions. He can handle a lively group very well, and deal politely with even the daftest of comments (and a few very silly questions). He has sufficient material to keep coming up with new aspects of novel-writing even for those who attended his courses for many years. There is always something new to think about and learn from. Lectures can, of course, be repeated on request. Phil is very good at leading a discussion of someone’s reading, so that we can all learn from it. I was terrified of reading out loud at first, so he would read my piece out for me, until I gained sufficient confidence to do my own readings. I was able to overcome considerable social anxiety about taking part in the group, over the years that I attended his courses. When Keele University discontinued the course, a group of the regulars got together, hired a hall, and hired Phil to continue teaching us, for about three years. That group has now come to an end, but I would be very glad to attend another group led by Phil, if one became available.

Student