Author behind the hit TV series Vera looks to inspire the next generation of writers
Ann Cleeves OBE, the award-winning crime author and woman behind the ever-popular TV crime drama Vera, has been visiting the University of Sunderland to help inspire the next generation of authors, playwrights, and screen writers.
Ann is best known for her series of novels following Detective Vera Stanhope which was later adapted into the TV hit show Vera, with the leading character played by Brenda Blethyn.
Running for 15 years, the much-loved detective series is filmed at locations across the North East.
Ann’s Shetland novels have also now been adapted for screen by the BBC.
Ann is an author of more than 30 novels and was awarded the Crime Writers Association's most prestigious award, the Diamond Dagger, and Theakston Old Peculiar Outstanding Contribution Award, in recognition of her impressive writing career.
In 2022 she awarded an OBE for services to reading libraries and received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Sunderland in 2014.
Ann was at the university’s Media Centre on St. Peter’s Campus where she joined students from the university’s creative and professional writing courses to discuss her experiences and successful career as a writer.
Ann said: “I was delighted to have talked to Sunderland students and hear about their writing and reading on this lovely campus.”
This visit is part of a series of talks by industry professionals, including authors, screenwriters, publishers and editors, to give students the insight to unlock their future careers.
Dr Barbara Henderson, Programme Leader for BA English: Creative and Professional Writing at the University, said: “It's really important that our students not only learn to be excellent writers, but that they also find out about pathways to publication and learn to network with other authors and industry representatives.
“That's why we've been working hard to put students in front of those who've been successful. It's hugely exciting that such a brilliant writer and well-known name as Ann Cleeves has spoken to students and I know they have learned a lot from her wealth of experience."