Mrs Rachel Dawson

(she/her)

Biography

I published my debut novel, Neon Roses, in 2023. Neon Roses is a coming-of-age queer romance set against the political backdrop of the 1980s. In 2020 I won a New Writer’s Bursary from Literature Wales, which enabled me to complete my novel. Neon Roses was shortlisted for the Betty Trask Award and Wales Book of The Year.  

The Ghostly Cruiser, a short story about rural Wales, queer heritage and the hanky code, was featured in Cipher's anthology, Unreal Sex. My first short play, about swimming and queer joy, was featured in Out-Rage-Us at the Sherman, part of Cardiff's Queer Fringe Festival 2022. 

In 2024 I was selected as one of the Hay Festival Writers at Work. I was also asked to Chair an event with Alana S. Portero, Wendy Moore and Kenny Ethan Jones called The Queer Experience. I am a Trustee at Seren. 

Outside of writing, I have gathered a broad range of experience in the third sector. Most recently I have been working in engagement at Age Cymru. Previously, I worked with homeless people at Cardiff YMCA, emergency services personnel at Mind Cymru, and survivors of domestic violence at Cardiff Women’s Aid. In 2012  was one of the founders of Songbirds Choir for LGBT+ people, which continues to grow.