Susan L. Edser completed the MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at BU in 2024 and received the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for her academic ability, creative writing, and personal achievements.
Susan believed in making the most of all the opportunities on offer to receive the most rounded experience from the course. She honed her writing skills during the weekly Heard Word online writing workshop, which led to her short story Jigsaw Pieces winning a top spot in her first semester on the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize. She participated in the Allies in Action research project, which focused on allyship and intersectional empathy, and became the scriptwriter and lead actor for the film Dream Team. After seeing a vacancy on the course's Facebook page, she applied and secured a job at ArtfulScribe, a writer development agency in Southampton. She also worked on the 2024 Bournemouth Writing Prize and co-edited the winning anthology.
Reflecting on why she chose the course, Susan said: “I had always wanted to pursue creative writing, and when my circumstances changed at work, I decided to return to full-time education rather than get another job. The course at Bournemouth was the only one that offered a 360-degree approach to writing and publishing, and after meeting the programme leader, I decided to apply.”
Since graduating, Susan has continued to freelance for ArtfulScribe. She said, “I am working with an internationally published author and teaching children and young people how to write. This reinforces my learning and helps to inspire the next generation.” She hopes to facilitate other groups for the organisation in the future. She is also working on her first novel, which she began as part of her dissertation, and is maintaining her links with the university. This includes becoming the Fiction Editor for the new Bournemouth Journal, which celebrates writing from both emerging and established writers worldwide and spearheading the creation of a new alumni group. “It is important to support each other, and sharing our knowledge and skills will elevate us to achieve our post-course aims and aspirations,” she said.
Susan said her studies taught her how to write, become published, and promote herself as a writer. “I also learnt about myself, including what I need to do to work well and succeed,” she said. “The course and university experience exceeded my hopes and expectations.”
When asked for her advice to other students thinking of following a similar path, Susan said: “Bournemouth University is an excellent place to learn. It feels like home whenever I return, so my first advice is to apply! Then, make the most of all the opportunities available, work hard, and enjoy the wonderful connections you will make.”