Equal parts researcher, writer, mentor, & relentless optimist.
Megan Hayes is the author of five books, including the memoir Glimmering: Healing in 21 Wild Swims, an extract of which was shortlisted for the Laurie Lee Prize in 2024.
Her academic research has been translated into the commercial nonfiction books, Write Yourself Happy (2018) and The Joy of Writing Things Down (2021).
Her doctoral work explored creative writing and identity, drawing from her interdisciplinary academic background and leading to a model of self-constructive writing.
She holds an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of East London and a BA (Hons) in English and Creative Writing from Bath Spa University.
As an educator, Megan holds a PgCLTHE and has tutored for the University of Hull MA Creative Writing (Online) since 2021. Prior to this she helped to set up the MA Creative Writing and Wellbeing at Teesside University. She also teaches in the context of public mental health services and psychoeducation.
A Note from Megan…
I am fascinated with words – and I’m equally fascinated with how words create wellbeing. Alongside my academic work, I offer mentoring for writers.
When I am not teaching, mentoring, or writing-for-a-living, I love to journal and to share my passion for journal writing as a way to support and promote wellbeing and mental health. I created Positive Journal® as an online hub and self-development tool that combines personal writing with the science of positive psychology.
My top strength is curiosity, so naturally I love learning. I drink copious amounts of tea, can usually be found reading ten books at once, and I’m extremely glad you’re here.
A Brief Timeline…
In 2024 I was shortlisted for the Laurie Lee Prize, began my work in psychoeducational settings, and got married!
In April 2023 I formally launched The Joyful School of Writing, to bring my teaching and mentoring together in one place.
In 2021 and 2022 I started teaching online for The University of Hull, and published The WRITE Model: A Practical Guide to compliment my research paper of the same name in Writing in Practice: The Journal of Creative Writing.
In 2020, aside from surviving a global pandemic (how was that for you?), I wrote another book, left full-time teaching in Higher Education and began to write and teach independently in my own online classroom.
In 2017 and 2018 I completed my PhD, shared my research internationally in Austria and Hungary, began teaching Creative Writing at Teesside University and published two books. Then I took a nap.
In 2015 and 2016 I presented my research across the United Kingdom, in the United States and in France, as well as being published in The International Journal of Wellbeing and Writing in Practice: The Journal of Creative Writing Research.
In 2014 I graduated, with Distinction, from the MSc in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) at the University of East London, which was the first degree programme of its kind in Europe.
2011 I graduated with a First Class Honours BA degree from Bath Spa University in English Literature and Creative Writing, where I developed a passion for both fiction and creative non-fiction writing.
1997 I composed a song called ‘Whatever I do, I don’t do it much’ which went on to become a Hayes-family classic.
1988 I was born, or (possibly) reincarnated as a human woman.
Ready to explore?
Read more about my research, visit The Joyful School of Writing, or discover how this space is also about you.