Hillard Morley

Having been an avid reader and passionate about the written and spoken word for as long as she can remember, Hillard Morley studied English Language and Literature at Durham University, and wrote and performed with Rough House Theatre, before beginning a career as a teacher of Drama and English. Whilst she loved working with students to ignite their enthusiasm for and creativity in language and expression, the urge to write a novel never went away and in 2016 she turned to writing full time.

She loves the precision and discipline of crafting her work and her short stories have been published in literary journals worldwide, with one piece being shortlisted for the Independent Arts 'Jot' Award and another winning the OWT Short Fiction Prize 2018. Tapping into her love of performance, she also enjoys sharing her work with live audiences through spoken word events. Her writing focuses on the interior life of characters, on those fearful moments when critical choices must be made, and on what is ultimately not said in the silence.

She lives on the Isle of Wight with her wonderful husband, her astonishing daughter and a highly temperamental cat.