Laura Beatty

Laura Beatty is the author of two biographies, two novels, two genre-defying books (a mix of travel, history, memoir and fiction) and, recently, two plays. Her first novel, Pollard, won the Authors’ Club First Novel Award as well as being shortlisted for the Ondaatje Prize for books that evoke the spirit of place. Her most recent book, Looking for Theophrastus, was shortlisted for the Runciman Prize. Laura worked for a long time in the voluntary sector, while bringing up children and then trained to work as a Place2Be counsellor with children up to fourteen. Now she teaches writing both privately and, as a fellow of the Royal Literary Fund, in the NHS and recovery colleges nationwide.