Novelist appointed new writing fellow at University of Suffolk

Why it matters: Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellows are professional writers who operate independently of the university and provide students with expert guidance to enhance their academic writing abilities.

The details: Francesca took up the role at the University of Suffolk, working on Mondays and Tuesdays on campus or online where needed. She offers free 50-minute tutorials to help students identify and address issues in their writing.

Support includes advice on:

• Structure, punctuation and grammar
• Paraphrasing and referencing abilities
• Time-management and planning strategies
• Proofreading and editing skills

What she's saying: "For those students returning to education after a break, or who are feeling overwhelmed by what's meant by 'academic writing' or just want to talk through early ideas for an essay, a consultation with a professional writer can be so helpful," said Francesca.

"I have years of experience of writing, from first drafts to final edits, and I'm keen to help more students get the grades they deserve; many students who have benefitted from consultations with RLF fellows see a huge improvement in their grades."

For context: Born and raised in Suffolk, Francesca's children's books include Fenn Halflin and the Fearzero (Walker Books, 2016), which was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award and shortlisted for the Mal Peet Children's Award. She won the Mslexia International Short Story competition and had her novel Lemon Ink Over Flame, set in an isolated Suffolk village, shortlisted for the Tibor Jones Pageturner Prize in 2013.

After reading English and Drama at Goldsmiths, University of London, she returned to Suffolk to work in libraries and museums, developing the Ipswich Museums Education programme. She now runs creative writing sessions in schools, libraries and literature festivals.

Dr Amanda Hodgkinson, Director for the Suffolk Centre for Culture and Heritage at the University of Suffolk, said: "It is a pleasure to welcome Francesca as our new Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow. Francesca will be a tremendous asset to our students, who will be able to draw on her wealth of experience to develop their writing skills and gain confidence in their work."

The bottom line: Students now have access to free professional writing support from an award-winning author with deep Suffolk roots, potentially transforming their academic performance through expert one-to-one guidance.

University of Suffolk students can book an appointment with Francesca by emailing Francesca.armour-chelu@rfleducation.org.uk.