Writer
I’ve recently completed a novel More and More Beautiful Things, an upmarket historical work of fiction based on the real-life story of Blanche Hoschedé Monet and her overlooked talent as an artist, honed at the side of her stepfather Claude Monet. I spent five years researching and writing the novel, including visits to Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny. I’m represented by Laura Macdougall at United Agents.
My short story, Walk of Blood, was published in the 2019 Grist Anthology Trouble. I have also written features for The Guardian and The Independent, including TV reviews and travel features.
Over five years working for Food & Drink News trade magazine, I interviewed many senior people for features on the industry. As a copywriter, I have written hundreds of blogs, news stories, case studies, articles and other marketing content.
Presenter
An experienced presenter of festival events, I have interviewed many writers, including Ann Cleeves, AA Dhand, Joanne Harris, Alexander McCall Smith, Rachel Joyce, Elizabeth Macneal, Stuart Maconie, Stef Penny, Mark Radcliffe, Lucy Steed, Russ Thomas, Rupert Thomson and Sally Wainwright, as well as chairing discussion events on subjects such as Refugee Tales.
In addition to introducing and hosting events at the Huddersfield Literature Festival, I have presented at book festivals in Derby, Durham, Halifax, Ilkley and Todmorden.
For every event I present, I carry out extensive research and preparation.
Festival Director
As Director of the Huddersfield Literature Festival (HuddLitFest), I have been passionate about creating an annual programme featuring under-represented artists, diverse and innovative projects, new commissions and an impactful Schools Programme. In 2022, the Festival won the Accessible & Inclusive award at the prestigious Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards.
Since taking over the directorship in 2013, I have been committed to promoting new writers and artists, while welcoming many high profile guests, including: Simon Armitage, John Cooper Clarke, Kit de Waal, Gavin Esler, Bernardine Evaristo, Patrick Grant, Joanne Harris, Celia Imrie, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Paterson Joseph, Jackie Kay, Helen Lederer, Stuart Maconie, Lisa Nandy Helen Pankhurst, Ian Rankin, Nikesh Shukla, Lemn Sissay, Sir Patrick Stewart, Jeremy Vine and Irvine Welsh.
About Me
Having been an avid reader and writer from a young age, I was drawn to a career in book publishing, where I worked for major publishing houses (Macmillan, Little Brown) and Midas PR, promoting writers, scientists, politicians, sports personalities, TV presenters and others, most notably Iain Banks and Whoopi Goldberg.
After spending five months on the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean in 2000, I worked for eight years as a national newspaper sub-editor and occasional writer for The Independent and The Guardian.
In January 2009, I moved to Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, where I set up a copywriting business and a successful local networking group. I also wrote for magazines, including five years producing features for the trade magazine, Food & Drink News.
At the end of 2012, I took over as Director of the Huddersfield Literature Festival, running my first Festival in March 2013. The Festival has since grown to become a major landmark on the local calendar, winning the Accessible & Inclusive Award at the Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards (2022) and the Examiner Community Award for Arts (2017), and being selected as a finalist in the Kirklees Diversity and Innovation Awards (2022) and the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards (2016, 2017 & 2020).
In 2013, I was nominated for and featured in the Independent on Sunday’s Happy List, billed as the antidote to lists that celebrate wealth or fame. As a creative and an arts practitioner, I’m keen to promote accessibility and representation.
In 2019, I worked with Mslexia magazine to plan and deliver their inaugural women’s writing weekend Mslexicon. In 2021, I helped to set up Sangam Festival: A Celebration of South Asian Heritage, which ran for three years during South Asian Heritage Month (18 July – 17 August).
Get in Touch
Please get in touch if you’d like to talk to me about my writing or a presenting opportunity.
For Huddersfield Literature Festival queries, please visit: http://www.huddlitfest.org.uk
Michelle Hodgson 