The Writers of Wales Database

REDFERN, MARGARET

Tel: 01646 689976
Email: mags@madagasgar.com

Born in 1950, Margaret Redfern grew up in Gilberdyke, in the former East Riding of Yorkshire, and Snaith, in the former West Riding. After gaining a degree in English Literature and Linguistics at Lancaster, Margaret qualified as a teacher. Her first teaching post was at Ayas Koleji, Adana, Turkey. She travelled extensively through Turkey before returning to England where she worked as a driver, as a barmaid, on the land then as a secondary teacher in rural and urban schools until 2000, when she came to west Wales. Margaret now teaches at Pembrokeshire College, Haverfordwest.

Her career as a freelance writer began in the 1980s when she was published by IPC magazines, Bauer Publications, Robert Hale and Lythway. In 2006, Margaret gained a MA in Creative Writing at Trinity College, Carmarthen. She contributed to the MA Anthology, Wicked Words, Roundyhouse (2006) and Planet (2006). Margaret is regularly published in Pembrokeshire Life magazine, writing on Richard Fenton and his Tour through Pembrokeshire (pub. 1810). 

Her novel Flint (Honno, 2009) was short-listed for Flint Library's annual Aur Pur / Pure Gold award. Organised by Estyn Allan y Gogledd (the reader development network for north Wales), previous winners were Mererid Hopwood and Nikita Lalwani. It was also selected as an Editor's Choice for the November issue of the Historical Novels Review and was chosen for a new independent books website: www.indiebooks.net.

Margaret is currently researching for next novel. She is a Member of Academi.

Reviews:
With respect to Flint (Honno, 2009)

'"…fiction stamped with authenticity on every page, an original novel from a mature and imaginative writer…"
Steve Dube, Western Mail

”…delightful, erudite and gripping…”
Christine Willison, Pembrokeshire Country Arts Officer


Selected Publications:
The Road to Adana (Woman’s Weekly Fiction Series, 1983)
Wheels of Fortune (Woman’s Weekly Fiction Series, 1985)
An Orange Branch (Robert Hale Ltd, 1985)
Sweet and Bitter Fancy (Women's Weekly Fiction Series, 1986)
Pattern for Romance (Robert Hale Ltd, 1988)
Penny’s Odyssey (Robert Hale Ltd, 1988)
The Maitland Girl (Robert Hale Ltd, 1990)
Flint (Honno, 2009)

Contributed to:
Woman's Weekly Fiction Series Omnibus Vol. 6 No 3 (The Icon Affair / Smiling Goddess / An Orange Branch / Sophia Verity) (contributor) (Woman's Weekly Fiction Series, 1983)
Wicked Words: An Anthology (contributor) (Accent Publishing, 2005)