The Writers of Wales Database

HOWELL, GEMMA JUNE

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/178924846

Gemma June Howell was born in the Caerphilly Miners hospital in 1983 and grew up in Graig-Y-Rhacca, a small council estate in the Rhymney Valley. She moved to Folkestone when she was six, to Whitley Bay aged ten and back to Graig-Y-Rhacca when she was twelve years old. These experiences forged a strong awareness of the still embedded class differences which dominate British society. As a child, with her father’s encouragement, she became involved in political activism and attended Anti-Nazi League and ANC marches in London and Folkestone. Whilst studying for her A-Levels, she represented her age-group at local Labour Party meetings and was Chairwoman of the school council for two consecutive years.

Her first taste of political writing was at the age of 16 when she joined the Red Poets Society for Poems and Pints, through which she frequented old men’s working clubs and pubs around the valleys to read her poetry. In 1999 she won second place at the Aber Valley Arts Competition for her poem, 'Fear of the Unknown'. Later, at Swansea University, 2002, Gemma took part in the many ‘Stop the War’ and ‘Not in My Name’ demonstrations. Whilst studying Politics & Media, she set up The Creative Writing Coalition and produced poetry magazine, Think Allowed! Since completing her Creative Writing MA two years ago she’s had excerpts from her plays broadcast and her first novel published by Hafan Books. She works as a freelance writer, events co-ordinator and promoter.

Reviews:

"…A voice full of energy, wicked humour and human insight, we should look out for her in the future!..."
Dr. Stevie Davies

"...A young writer who demonstrates a remarkable ear for dialogue and considerable skills at situational observation…there is a raw truth to her work..."
David Britton

"...There is no denying the author's attack and gusto: she has a feel for the form and evidently enjoys experimenting with it. There is considerable promise here...There's an exciting sense of rapid development about this energetic collection of unashamedly socio-political poems. Few, in these days of ironic detachment, risk writing politically forthright poetry....This poet's refusal to be deterred from giving voice to what, as a politically stirred being, she passionately believes, is admirable..."
Nigel Jenkins


Selected Publications:
Inside the Treacle Well (Hafan Books, 2009)