Roehampton Alumna Becomes Published Author
- Friday, November 24, 2023
Celebrated author Dr. Rachel Knightley, who completed her undergraduate degree at Roehampton, has returned as a Visiting Lecturer in Creative Writing. She recently launched her latest book, "Twisted Branches," a captivating collection of short stories. The release was marked by a special event at Barnes Bookshop near our campus.
Reflecting on her return to Roehampton, Dr. Knightley shared, “I’ve been back at Roehampton University now for just over a year. I started here as a BA student in English literature in about 2001. Then I did a module of my PhD here, because I was actually studying in Hull but Putney/Barnes is my home. So it made a lot of sense to come back. And I've just been coming back ever since.”
Dr. Knightley has spoken about how being part of the writing community at Roehampton is important to her, emphasising the uniqueness of each individual's imagination, memories, observations, and questions about the world. She sees the course and subsequent careers as opportunities to bring out this uniqueness and relishes the process of helping people discover their distinctive voices.
She added: "As a writer, you don't just have one voice. You can adapt your thoughts, feelings, imagery, and questions about the world. […] It's all about understanding what you want, as well as what you fear. This self-awareness enables better decision-making regarding job applications and fosters curiosity rather than fear in choosing the books you want to write.”
Dr. Knightley boasts two non-fiction books and has contributed stories and articles to respected publications such as Writers’ Forum, Starburst Magazine, The Dark Side, Jewish Renaissance, Fangoria, Women’s Weekly, and Writing Magazine. Dr. Knightley extends her expertise in coaching writing, public speaking, and building confidence, offering her services from her home in Barnes, online, and throughout London.