Caroline Dunford

A few decades later, having worked as a journalist, a commercial copywriter, a voice actor and a qualified psychotherapist, she fulfilled her ambition and took up writing full-time (and, yes, it's a proper job).

She has had over thirty short stories published (mostly science fiction, fantasy and horror genres), won a few awards along the way, wrote the best-selling non-fiction book 'How to Survive the Terrible Twos; Diary of a Mother Under Siege', launched a pre-World War One crime series 'The Euphemia Martins Mysteries', had several plays produced and is currently Writer in Residence with the Edinburgh-based theatre company, Siege Perilous. She has won mentorships by both the Scottish Book Trust and The Playwrights Studio, Scotland, and is a popular mentor and workshop tutor herself with a string of sell-out events under her belt.

Caroline lives in a cottage by the sea with her partner and two children and is currently hard at work on some young adult fantasy novels, a couple of plays and a teaching course.

By the end of ten weeks each participant will have created a ten minute play. There will be discussions, interactive exercises but, most of all, fun. See if there's a play inside you with 'Write a Short Play'.

Follow the link below for full course details and how to book online.

Following a successful pilot scheme (2011/12) we are now opening The Avalon Mentorship scheme (2012/13) which offers playwrights the opportunity to develop a full length play and the possibility of production.

On 30th July 2011 Edinburgh theatre company Siege Perilous announced me as their first Writer-in-Residence. They are a truly exciting theatre company, dedicated to bringing new and outstanding writing to the city in an affordable and assessable manner. I have been lucky enough to have them stage two of my plays, 'Burke' and 'Suspicious Minds'. Each was produced expertly and directed with innovation so I was honoured to come on board as Writer-in-Residence.

During the residency I will be working with six excellent playwrights, chosen from a pool of applicants, who will also get the opportunity to work with the company's director and producer, and cumulating in reading workshops for all of the plays. At the time of writing we've just starting our journey with all playwrights having completed their first mentoring session with myself - and it's been really exciting and inspiring. I'm really looking forward to what the next five months brings.

Writer-in-Residence role introduced - Siege Perilous news

Like everyone in Scotland I knew the basics of the story of serial killers Burke and Hare, but when director Stuart Nicoll approached me with the idea of commissioning a play about the last days of Burke's life it was the beginning of a fascinating journey. Working with West Port Productions, and their historian John Baxter, and using all my psychology training I took an in-depth journey into the minds of Burke and Hare using as much as possible material that was written during their lives - including Burke's numerous confessions.

I wanted to tell the story in a fresh way that both intrigued and asked new questions about these two men. The first production was a great success with reviews and audiences members concentrating on how real the play made Burke and Hare seem. The reaction was so good that West Port Productions decided to take the play on tour to Jedburgh Historic Jail, Inverurie Historic Jail and finally home to The Vaults under Edinburgh.

Links:-

Burke Tour 2011 - West Port Tours

William Burke to be resurrected - Deadline News

Burke Returns! - Annals of Edinburgh Stage

Wrapping up - The (Unofficial) Edinburgh Book Festival Blog