Louisa’s ‘Reimagining Heritage’ writer residency for the Quay Words Autumn season picked up on her work as the first ever Quay Words writer-in-residence back in 2019.  Continuing with themes of heritage, place, and the stories of diverse voices, Louisa supported writers to tell their own and/or seek out the diverse stories of others with a connection to Exeter Quayside, to the city itself, and to the wider South West.  

 Louisa ran two poetry workshops in November and December 2021 and participants of these read their work at a Quay Voices event on Wednesday 30th March 2022. 

About Louisa 

Louisa Adjoa Parker is a writer of English-Ghanaian heritage who lives in South West England. Her first poetry collection, Salt-sweat and Tears, and pamphlet were published by Cinnamon Press, and her third poetry collection, How to wear a skin, was published by Indigo Dreams, and her debut short story collection, Stay with me, was published by Colenso Books in 2020. 

 Louisa’s poetry and prose has been widely published. She has been highly commended by the Forward Prize; twice shortlisted by the Bridport Prize; and her grief poem, Kindness, was commended by the National Poetry Competition 2019. She has performed her work in the South West and beyond, and delivered many writing workshops.  Louisa has written extensively on ethnically diverse history, and set up the Where are you really from? project. Louisa also works as an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion consultant, and, along with Louise Boston-Mammah, is co-director of The Inclusion Agency. She is a sought-after speaker on rural racism, black history, mental health and marginalisation.  Her fourth poetry collection, a pamphlet entitled, She can still sing, was published by Flipped Eye in June 2021. Find out more about the collection and order your copy here.

 Louisa is currently writing a coastal memoir, to be published by Little Toller Books in 2022.