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I am a disabled writer, activist, and creative practitioner based in Darlington in North-East England. I work with words in all their forms, solo and with collaborators, via publishing, lyrical essays, film, poetry, making books, spoken word, middle grade novels, in galleries, in theatres and in the community. Some people say I’m a word-artist – I say I do stuff with words.

My debut middle grade novel THE SECRET OF HAVEN POINT is forthcoming from Puffin in February 2022, with a second book to follow in 2023.

Image shows Lisette in a purple t-shirt which reads disability is not a bad word, holding her walking stick with her eyes and mouth wide open.
photo description: Lisette, a white woman with brown hair and freckles, in a purple t-shirt which reads ‘disability is not a bad word’, holding her purple walking stick with her eyes and mouth wide open. photo credit: Laura Tindall at PaperBoat Photography

I am represented by Molly Ker Hawn at The Bent Agency.

photo description: logo of The Bent Agency - capital letters in black, blue and grey
photo description: logo of The Bent Agency – capital letters in black, blue and grey

By clicking on the headings below, or the menu above, you can find out all about me and the things I get up to with words.

About Me

Lisette is sitting at a table in her back yard. On a white washed wall behind her it says Welcome. There is writing paraphernalia spread over the tile. Her little black and white rescue dog paws her hand while she's typing, offering editing advice.
photo description: Lisette is sitting at a table in her back yard. On a white washed wall behind her it says Welcome. There is writing paraphernalia spread over the table. Her little black and white rescue dog paws her hand while she’s typing, offering editing advice.

Books & Publications

WriteNow graduate Lisette Auton signs deal with Puffin - Puffin has acquired The Secret of Haven Point and one other book from Lisette Auton, a 2018 graduate of Penguin's WriteNow programme
screenshot description: headline from the Bookseller magazine. A photo of me looking wistful, wearing a dress with tigers on, my purple stick is hooked over the fence I’m leaning on. Text in Alt text for screenreaders.

Writing

black and white image of my face. On a blue background the text: LISETTE AUTON Writing the Missing - A River Cycle "You should want to hear it. Beacuse our stories are stories of power and quiet and might and rage and torrent. You should want to hear them". On a pink background the text: Fifteen writers commissioned to create new work about the North East from New Writing North, Durham Book Festival and the North East Culture Partnership. New Narratives for the North East.
image description: black and white image of my face. On a blue and pink background is text. Full text is in Alt text for screen readers.

Writing the Missing

photo description: Lisette is wearing a flowing blue dress. She is standing in a river, and holding her skirt. She gazes off to the side. image credit: Rob Irish
photo description: Lisette is wearing a flowing blue dress. She is standing in a river, and holding her skirt. She gazes off to the side. image credit: Rob Irish

Spoken Word

Our BLACKBOX film series captures performances from the best spoken word artists of today.

Project Portfolio

photo description - The Little Shed of Forgotten Dreams in an art gallery, a full sized shed covered with stories and images, filled with objects on shelves and with suitcases stacked outside.
photo description – The Little Shed of Forgotten Dreams in an art gallery, a full sized shed covered with stories and images, filled with objects on shelves and with suitcases stacked outside.

Film

Press

Photo by Markus Winkler - an old Olympia typewriter containing a sheet of paper which says 'News'
Photo by Markus Winkler – an old Olympia typewriter containing a sheet of paper which says ‘News’

Commissions and Residencies

photo description: The heading reads Cove Park, Residency, Early Career Residencies 2019, 02/09/2019 - 21/09/2019, Lisette Auton, and there is a head and shoulders photo of me looking to the left, appearing whimsical, wearing my favourite black dress adorned with tigers. Text reads: Cove Park's programme of Early Career Residencies supports UK-based artists in the process of establishing their careers, providing an opportunity for research and the development of new work at this crucial stage. We are pleased this year to offer four residencies to artists specialising in composition/music, crafts/design, literature and visual art. This year, the literature residency has been awarded to Lisette Auton.
photo description: There is a head and shoulders photo of me looking to the left, appearing whimsical, wearing my favourite black dress adorned with tigers. Full text is in Alt text for screen readers.

Creative Practitioner

photo description: older women sit around a table crafting. Two women at the centre hold each others hands and sing.
photo description: older women sit around a table crafting. Two women hold each others hands and sing, they are wearing hats they’ve made.

Nice Things People Have Said About Me

Thank you for a wonderful workshop journey. Your warm up got the creative cells going, the quickfire focused my thoughts and then the stream of brilliant exercises made me fasten my literary seatbelt and enjoy the ride! A wonderful safe and accessible environment to write and share.

Well planned. Beautifully executed. Exhilarating. Thoughtful & caring. Thank you very much.

Please do Contact Me if you’d like more information about how we can work together.