Personal statement

Celia is the author of nine novels, ranging from London social novels to international bestsellers, and seven non fiction books including biography, travel writing and cultural commentary.

She is an experienced PhD supervisor and examiner with a particular interest in women's writing and historical fiction. She leads workshops in creative writing at all levels and teaches two specialist modules, an MA course in historical fiction and an undergraduate module in genre fiction.

Her management achievements have been recognised with a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

A former chair of the higher education committee of the National Association of Writers in Education, she has contributed to the development of the subject at national level on two QAA Subject Benchmark groups.

She welcomes research proposals for novels or short fiction.  

Academic qualifications

  • PhD Creative Writing

Professional memberships

  • The Society of Authors

Bath Spa emplyoment

Celia currently teaches or is involved on the following course:

Teaching subjects and areas of expertise

Celia teaches Creative Writing at all levels, with special expertise in historical and genre fiction.

She is currently working on a novel set in the last years of Mary, Queen of Scots and a biography of the great Victorian philanthropist, Angela Burdett-Coutts. 

Celia welcomes research proposals in fiction and creative non-fiction and her research interests include

  • women's writing
  • emerging writers
  • historical fiction
  • post-colonial minority cultures. 

Research impact

Celia contributes regularly to many media, most recently BBC Radio 4 Women's Hour,]BBC Radio 4 Front Row and The Times.  She is a favourite at literary festivals, especially those in the South West.  
You can hear some of her recent podcasts and interviews here on the following channels: