Hannah J Shaw

Hannah J Shaw is a British writer with a BA Hons degree in Creative and Professional Writing with International Experience. Last year she completed her international scholarship year at The University of Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Originally a waitress, Hannah was encouraged to pursue her writing by her driving instructor who saw more potential. Going to university brought many opportunities including first prize in the Environmental Poetry Prize for Bangor University. She has also been an overseas guest lecturer for Bangor University whilst on placement in Australia. Last Autumn her poem ‘Perfume Factory’ was published in the University of Canberra’s FIRST Anthology.

Hannah enjoys channelling her writing into multiple forms and avenues; she has been an editor and has written for screen, stage, poetry, prose, magazine and copy. Last year her TV Series ‘Those Who Live Beside Us’ was announced as a finalist for the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Screenwriting.

Whilst studying in Australia, Hannah was reunited with her love for screenwriting. She studied it briefly at her UK university, but unfortunately due to a lack of funding, the screenwriting module was removed in her final year there. However, she is very grateful to The University of Canberra, Australia for having such a strong focus on the visual aspects of writing. She thoroughly enjoyed her screenwriting module, taught by the talented author Diana Clarke, who enabled her to develop her knowledge of writing for TV.

Since returning home to the UK, Hannah has worked whilst continuing her writing and studying with a course in Script Reading by National Film and Television School (NFTS) Cardiff at BBC Cardiff. She also studied Stage and Screen Writing at Cardiff University. Recently, Hannah applied to BAFTA and The National Film and Television School (NFTS) for a place on their Screenwriting Programme and despite setbacks from both, is now writing new material on the side of her work experience as a copywriter for a local publishing company. This is all part of her grand plan to pursue a career in the creative industry.