I research and write about class in contemporary British literature and publishing. I am interested in the ways that relations of power in society are represented in creative writing. Before becoming an academic, I worked in the literary industries for twenty years. I held editorial roles at Bloomsbury and Simon & Schuster, as well as providing freelance editorial and consultancy services for various trade publishers, literary agents and scouts, and writing development organisations. I have also been an events producer, programming and managing literary and arts festivals, and organising community arts projects in the Calder Valley where I live.