Shanta Everington

After an unfortunate incident at primary school, involving one of my stories, a teacher, a red pen and a waste paper basket, I stumbled off my path and nearly ended up as a maths teacher. :)

On graduating from Anglia Ruskin University in 1996 with a first class teaching degree, B.Ed (Hons), I decided that working full-time in a classroom wasn’t for me.

A fascination with the human condition led me to train in counselling skills and work with people. After volunteering as a telephone counsellor and parenting supporter, I held a variety of jobs including working in community care and CAB advice work, before moving into management at the national Brook helpline for young people.

In 2003, after dabbling in writing as a hobby for several years, I embarked on a masters degree in Creative Writing with Manchester Metropolitan University. Soon after, I left Brook to become the deputy editor for the Disability, Pregnancy and Parenthood International (DPPI) journal, where I commission, interview, write and edit. 

Publications

I am published in a range of forms including creative writing (novels, short stories and poetry), non-fiction (forthcoming parenting books), journal articles and interviews, educational resources (including maths text books and a counselling skills course!) and booklets for charities. I am open to diverse commissions across the spectrum.

My debut novel, Marilyn and Me (Cinnamon Press), narrated by a young woman with a learning disability, was launched at the Redbridge Book and Media Festival in May 2007, and serialised in The Western Mail in 2008. My first young adult novel, Give Me a Sign (Flame Books, 2008), exploring deafness, was selected as Exclusively Independent Pick of The Month in December 2008.

My poems and stories have been accepted for publication in various print and online presses. Recent writing successes include a story shortlisted for The Bridport Prize 2009 and a winning entry in the Tonto Even more Short Stories competition 2009. I am currently a staff writer for The View From Here literary magazine.

I have two parenting books forthcoming with Need2Know Books - The Terrible Twos: A Parent’s Guide (1 September 2010) and Baby’s First Year: A Parent’s Guide (1 May 2011).

Teaching responsibilities

In 2008, after achieving my MA Creative Writing with distinction and some publication successes, I returned to teaching with The Open University in London as an associate lecturer in creative writing. I am also registered with Fleet Tutors to work with school children and was South Woodford Library Writer-in-Residence for the Redbridge Book and Media Festival 2010 under 25s project. I have an enhanced CRB disclosure and am available to teach and run workshops with children and adults.

Professional memberships

I am a full member of The Society of Authors, National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE) and The Society of Women Writers and Journalists.

Contact

I always like to hear from people who have visited my website, read my books, or just want to chat about writing or life! If you’d like to get in touch, please email me.