lecturer in Creative Writing
I currently teach on: Being a Writer, Forms of Narrative, The Writer’s Workshop, Writing to Order, Writing Poetry, Writing in the World, and Critical Approaches to Creative Writing.
Tell us about yourself!
Where did you study? I completed my BA at Lancaster University, and an MA and PhD in Creative Writing at
Newcastle University.
What is the primary genre you write in? I mainly write poetry, though have also written reviews, essays, and for the stage.
Which writers have influenced you the most? Many! It’s difficult to pin down the most influential, but the following writers have excited and inspired me along the way: Seamus Heaney, Sean O’Brien, Paul Farley, Derek Mahon, Hannah Lowe, Douglas Dunn, Ciaran Carson, Don Paterson, Karen Solie, Ken Smith, James
Wright, Ishion Hutchinson, Larry Levis, Philip Levine, Jacob Polley, Tony Harrison.
What is so appealing about working at YSJ? It gives me the opportunity to work with wonderful students and colleagues. I love talking to people about methods of writing, creative practice, and contemporary poetry.
Any advice for Creative Writing students? Read as much as you can, keep a notebook nearby, and write by hand as often as possible, it creates a more physical connection with your writing.
What have you had published?
Selected publications
I have published the poetry collection The Resurrectionists (Bloodaxe Books, 2021), and two
poetry pamphlets, The Black Cab (Poetry Salzburg, 2017) and Hallsong (New Writing North,
2022).
My second collection of poetry, The Green Parcel, will be published by Bloodaxe in
June 2026.
I have published poems in many journals and anthologies, including The
Guardian, Poetry Ireland Review, The Poetry Review, Poetry London, and The Telegraph.
You can find more about Dr John Challis and other members of York St John’s staff on the university’s website.
Or, you can stay here and check out more of our Creative Writing Staff Profiles.