Valerie  Bloom

 Valerie Bloom was born in Clarendon, Jamaica and came to England in 1974. She gained a first in English with African and Caribbean Studies at the University of Kent. She has written a number of poetry collections and two novels, run writing courses for the Arvon Foundation, led workshops for students, teachers and librarians and has had residencies worldwide. She has performed her work at festivals, on television and radio in Britain, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. She writes poetry in both English and in Jamaican patois for readers of all ages. She currently lives in Kent with her husband and three children.