// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Rachel Dawson? A draw-ing author.
Rachel Dawson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Dawson in 2024 | |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Subject | Romance |
| Notable works | Neon Roses |
| Website | |
| racheldawson | |
Rachel Dawson is a lesbian author based in Cardiff. Her debut novel, Neon Roses, was published in 2023.
Personal life
[edit]Dawson was born in Swansea and studied English Literature at Cardiff University, graduating in 2010.[1][2] After graduating she struggled with writing, explaining that the course had knocked her confidence. In 2012, she joined Roath Writers and began writing poetry.[3]
She is a founding member of the Songbirds Choir, a community choir for LGBTQ+ women, transgender people, and nonbinary people.[4] With the choir Dawson has performed at the Senedd and Pride Cymru.[5]
Outside of writing, Dawson has previously worked at a women's refuge and at Common/Wealth theatre in Cardiff.[6] She currently lives in Cardiff with her wife.[7][8]
Writing
[edit]In 2020, she was awarded a Literature Wales bursary and was mentored by Rebecca F. John. It was during this time she began writing her debut novel.[2]
Dawson's debut novel, Neon Roses, was published by John Murray Press in May 2023.[9] It was shortlisted for several awards including the Wales Book of the Year, the Polari Prize, and the Betty Trask Prize.[10][11][12] The book is a queer coming of age story, focusing on the protagonist Eluned Hughes. Set in South Wales in the 1980s, it touches on the 1984–1985 United Kingdom miners' strikes, and the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners fundraising efforts.[13][9]
The book was inspired by the Pride (2014), with Dawson's research sources including Bishopsgate Archives, the People's History Museum, and interviews with Lisa Power and Dawson's own family members.[14]
In April 2024, she was named as one of the Hay Festival Writers at Work.[15][16] She became a director of Seren Books in July 2024.[17] In September 2024 Literature Wales announced Dawson would be providing mentoring as part of their Representing Wales programme.[18] She also began teaching short courses at Cardiff University in novel writing and writing romance.[1][19]
Dawson was named on Diva Magazine's 2025 Power List[4] and Wales Online's 2024 Pinc List.[20]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Book written by Lifelong Learning tutor has been shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year". Cardiff University. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- 1 2 "Wales Book of the Year Award 2024: The English-language Shortlist". Literature Wales. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
- ↑ Gower, Jon (2023-05-28). "On Being a Writer in Wales: Rachel Dawson". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- 1 2 "The DIVA Power List 2025 has arrived!". 2025-04-23. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ Gower, Jon (2023-05-28). "On Being a Writer in Wales: Rachel Dawson". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ Books, Seren (2024-07-25). "Introducing our new Directors". Seren. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "Rachel Dawson". greeneheaton.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ Columnist, Guest (2024-11-30). "Top 5 new queer books, chosen by author Rachel Dawson". Big Issue. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- 1 2 Sarah (2024-05-26). "Wales Book of the Year shortlist review: Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson". Nation.Cymru. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
- ↑ "Wales Book of the Year 2024: Judges unveil shortlist for awards". BBC News. 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
- ↑ Creamer, Ella (2024-09-30). "Polari prize shortlists include Munroe Bergdorf, Jon Ransom and Lex Croucher". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
- ↑ "Betty Trask Prize". The Society of Authors. Retrieved 2026-04-29.
- ↑ "Neon Roses". Amina's Bookshelf. 2023-06-07. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ Clark, Emma (2023-07-13). ""We need community in order to survive" – RACHEL DAWSON on her debut novel NEON ROSES, finding strength in unity". Buzz Magazine. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "Hay Festival announces 2024 Writers at Work cohort". The Bookseller. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "Hay Writers at Work 2024 – Writers Revealed". Literature Wales. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ Books, Seren (2024-07-25). "Introducing our new Directors". Seren. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "Representing Wales 2024-25 Mentors Announced". Literature Wales. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ "Writing Romance". Cardiff University. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
- ↑ Hill, Jonathon (2024-06-22). "Pinc List 2024: Wales' most influential LGBTQ+ people". Wales Online. Retrieved 2026-04-30.
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