Student Profiles

I chose to study the MA Creative Writing to help me publish my first novel, Marilyn and Me, which I worked on during the course.  Workshopping my novel-in-progress to receive detailed editorial feedback from peers and my tutor helped me develop my writing to a professional standard. The course gave me a 'writer's toolbox' in terms of creative techniques and editing skills, which has served me well as a published writer working in various forms. Participating in the online seminars and delivering feedback to other student writers also helped me to get my teaching post at The Open University in London in 2008, where I teach Creative Writing at undergraduate level.

Creative Writing students need to have perserverance and self-belief. Having good organisational skills and discipline mixed with creativity and being able to think outside the box will stand them in good stead throughout their studies and after graduating.

Marilyn and Me, my debut novel was published in 2007 by Cinnamon Press (Welsh-based independent publisher). I have since published three more novels and two non-fiction books, as well as having poetry and short fiction published. My latest release is young adult dystopian novel, XY, published in 2014 by Manchester-based Bridge House Publishing after winning joint first prize in The Red Telephone YA novel competition.

Find out more about Shanta at www.shantaeverington.co.uk.

My top tip for Creative Writing students wishing to get published is to work hard at your craft and develop your editing skills to fine tune your writing.

My tutor, Dr. Heather Beck, was a great support. She really believed in Marilyn and Me and gave me the confidence to believe it would reach publication. My fellow writing students also helped me enormously, especially Jan Fortune-Wood and Glenis Stott, who are also now published novelists.

I loved the creative community that thrived at The Writing School at Manchester Met.