After gaining a first-class degree in Creative Writing at Birmingham University, she has performed at UK-wide poetry festivals, and her poems have won and been shortlisted in both national and international

poetry competitions. 

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Her poems have appeared in various journals, including The Interpreter’s House, The Rialto and The Cannon’s Mouth, and in collections published by Ragged Raven Press and Open Poetry.

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Particularly interested in poetry inspired by art, her first published collection Encounters with the Garman Ryan arose from a collaboration with Walsall New Art Gallery. She teaches courses on writing poetry in response to art, and as a member of art\write, regularly works with artists for exhibition-based performances.

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In 2021, her poem Ilaria Triptych won second place in the International Poetry on the Lake Silver Wyvern competition, and she was invited to Italy to collect her prize and read at The Poetry on the Lake Festival.

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In 2022 two of her poems were shortlisted for the Silver Wyvern, another for the Ironbridge Festival of the Imagination poetry competition, and another for the Wells Festival of Literature Open Poetry Competition.

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Sharon's debut novel The Unravelling of Michael Gilchrist was published in 2018, and a selection of her poetry and short stories can be found at www.sharonashtonpoetry.com

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To read her poem 'Halloween' please click here.