Dr Alison Taft

Alison Taft is a crime writer and the author of The Disappeared and The Runaway which are published under her pen name Ali Harper. She is Course Director for Creative Writing with a particular interest in the domestic thriller.

Ali is the author of five published novels and is currently working on her sixth. Her interests include voice, tone and sexuality, particularly within the crime and noir genres. She has taught creative writing in numerous settings, including prisons, retreats, community centres, schools, universities and literature festivals across the country.

Previously, Ali worked within film and TV production and she teaches both screen writing and adaptation modules, looking at how stories change as they cross from print to visual media platforms.

Ali has also worked in the professional placements and employability department of a university and is committed to ensuring that all Leeds Beckett creative writing degree courses have an employability focus which prepares students for life beyond graduation.

Ali is interested in creative writing as a means to enhance wellbeing and is currently involved in a research project looking at seasonality and its impact on the creative process.