Caroline Hardaker is a poet and author, based in the north east of England. She studied at Newcastle University, where she now works, and has had two poetry collections, Bone Ovation and Little Quakes Every Day, published by Valley Press. Her debut novel Composite Creatures is published by Angry Robot, and was hailed as ‘deliciously creepy’ by award-winning writer and illustrator Chris Riddell. Her next novel, Mothtown, featuring illustrations by Riddell, was released in November 2023.
Caroline’s poetry has been published worldwide, most recently in Magma, The Interpreter’s House, The Emma Press, Neon Magazine, Shoreline of Infinity, Eyewear Publishing’s Best New British and Irish Poets, and Contemporary British Poetry from Platypus Press. For a full list of publications you can see the Poems and Stories section of her website.
Caroline has worked with various organisations and community groups to advocate the holistic benefits of writing and making. She was the Writer in Residence for ‘Moving Parts’ Newcastle Puppetry Festival in 2019, and she’s also collaborated with the Royal Northern College of Music to produce a cycle of operatic art songs to be performed at festivals across the UK. Folk Tales premiered at the Tête à Tête Festival in London in September 2020.