Novelist, poet and creative writing teacher Ashley Hickson-Lovence is appearing at Primadonna Festival in Suffolk this weekend. Here, he talks about making the move from East London to East Anglia – and why he decided to stay
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Ashley Hickson-Lovence, a novelist, poet and Creative Writing teacher based in Norwich. I am the author of three books: The 392, Your Show and most recently, Wild East.
If you had to describe your life so far in one paragraph, what would you say?
It’s been a mad journey so far. I grew up in East London. Raised by my young mum in a small council flat in the borough of Hackney. I didn’t think in a million years I would be a published author with a PhD by the age of 33. On paper, especially as a Black man, the odds always seemed to be stacked against me, but I am an incredibly ambitious person so hopefully, despite several twists and turns already, the journey isn’t done yet.
What brought you to East Anglia and what were you doing before?
I started my PhD in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia in 2018 and fell in love with Norwich, fell in love with East Anglia. Since my arrival here, I have worked at both UEA and the University of Suffolk, as well as having several teaching roles at the National Centre for Writing. I am also a football referee on weekends, so I regularly travel all across the region to get to games. Undoubtedly, East Anglia has become a place I have got to know well and love dearly.
You’ve stayed here – what do you love about this part of the region?
Everything about it really. The artistic energy. The people. The peace. You’re never more than 45 minutes away from the coast. The region has a lot going for it and it has definitely shaped the person and writer I am today. I knew quite soon after moving here that I wanted to write a book that was set in East Anglia, and that is exactly what I have done with the release of Wild East, which is essentially a love letter to my new home.
How would you describe Wild East?
A thrilling, gut-wrenching but ultimately hopeful verse-novel set here in East Anglia about identity and race and the dangerous temptation for teenagers of county lines. A small book that draws on my lived experience of losing friends to knife crime when I was younger and also the stories and experiences heard while teaching students who themselves are precariously close to being sucked into that seedy underworld of drug selling.
What does it mean to be part of this year’s Primadonna Festival line- up, and have you been before?
It’s an absolute honour. Primadonna is the friendliest festival I have ever been to. This year will be my third year in attendance and it’s always a real highlight of my calendar. Everyone is so supportive and kind and talented. I always feel at home there and I am grateful to be invited again. Line-up (as always!) looks banging!
You have been described as a ‘spectacular role model’ for young people and men – how do you feel about that?
Everything I do is to lower the ladder (I, myself, am still climbing) for others. Young people are our future; in these toughest of times, they need: a platform to be themselves, an arm around the shoulder, hope and love. I am incredibly lucky that my work takes me to lots of different settings: schools, PRUs, YOIs, prisons, colleges and universities where I have the utter privilege of reminding young people that their words, their experiences and backstories have real value in life and real power on the page. The work I do with young people is a dream come true.
What are you working on next?
Lots! I have another three books coming out in the next two years: my first poetry collection (Spring 2025); my second YA book (August 2025) and then a new novel in early 2026. Lots to look forward to. Lots to keep me busy.
Wild East Author Ashley Hickson-Lovence will be appearing in the Farm Barn at Primadonna Festival, Food Museum, Stowmarket on Sunday July 28, 2024, from 12.30-1.30pm. Visit primadonnafestival.com. To find out more about Wild East, by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, visit ashleyhicksonlovence.com.
Featured images – supplied
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