Helen worked as a publishing PR in London before moving to Devon and becoming National Director of Arvon, which is known for its residential creative writing courses. From there she went to Farms for City Children, a charity connecting inner city school children to the countryside through a week on a working farm. Helen is principal short story reader for the Bridport Prize. She lives in West Devon on the northern edge of Dartmoor.
Follow Helen on Twitter: @LitWorksCEO

What are the three books you’ll love forever?

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Another Country by James Baldwin
Precious Bane by Mary Webb

Isabel studied a BA in Drama at the University of Exeter, and trained with the Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Lab Company, where she created an autobiographical solo show ‘Who Cares Now?’ detailing her experiences of working as a carer during the pandemic. Isabel joins Literature Woks through the government’s Kickstart Scheme and will be supporting the team in her role as the Communications and Events Assistant.

Twitter: @Flynnperformer

What are the three books you’ll love forever?

A Thousand Splendid Suns– Khaled Hosseini “Heart breaking and hopeful, a book that showed me the power of literature to transport you into a world completely outside your own experience.”

The Great Gatsby– F. Scott Fitzgerald “I fell in love with Fitzgerald’s gorgeous use imagery when I first studied it at school, my poor copy is now falling due to the amount of times I’ve re-read!”

The Girl on the Train – Paula Hawkins “Finished reading this book in two days! Nothing like a gripping thriller, with cliff hangers that leave you wanting more.”

Heather studied BA English Literature with Creative Writing at University of East Anglia and MA Creative and Critical Writing at the University of Sussex. Before coming to Literature Works she worked for the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and Tobacco Factory Theatres. Heather is the Project Officer, coordinating Quay Words at Exeter Custom House and other Literature Works projects.

What are the three books you’ll love forever?

Howards End – E. M Forster. “Forster is one of my absolute favourite writers, and the sentiment only connect is something I try to live by.”

Dart – Alice Oswald. “Beautiful poetry about the place where I grew up, it’s like someone designed this book just for me!”

The Dispossessed – Ursula K. Le Guin. “There’s nothing like a bit of radical, feminist, political sci-fi to make you see the world in a different way.”

Michelle studied English Literature at undergraduate level and Publishing at MA level. As Digital and Communications Officer for Literature Works, she works across the charity’s digital strategy – from commissioning web design projects, producing copy and running online events to managing social media.

What are the three books you’ll love forever?

Matilda, by Roald Dahl. “Matilda is basically me in book form. It was always a good ice-breaker on my degrees when I said this was my favourite book!”

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. “I’ll always be an Austenite. It’s a truth universally acknowledged!”

The Interestings, by Meg Wolitzer “A timeless coming of age story, with important messages about identity at its heart.”