The Exeter City of Literature Team
Anna Cohn Orchard (she/her)
Executive Director
Anna joins us as the inaugural Executive Director from a background rich in literature and partnership-building. Since 2004 she has lived in Pennsylvania, Sydney, New York, and now Exeter, studying and working in all those places with authors, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, cultural producers, and educators. At the Museum of Food and Drink in Brooklyn, Anna turned public programming into a robust and successful outfit, creating and producing sold out event series such as Eat*Drink*Read and Global Cultures, Global Cuisines. In 2016, Anna ran the US celebration of Roald Dahl's centenary, designing immersive campaigns that attracted thousands of participants nationwide. Anna began her career interning at Scholastic under David Levithan, later becoming Assistant Editor. Anna received her Master’s from the University of Exeter and her B.A. in English Literature from Lehigh University.
The books I read repeatedly: Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye and Philip Roth's The Human Stain. These two authors— fierce powerhouses of writing—craft sentences and utilize language so masterfully that while my shocking memory can't recall a single sentence months or even weeks later, the profound effect their words had on me is permanent. Both books look at the inner and outer identities we shape ourselves and that are placed on us, and what that relentlessness does to how we respond to fear, loneliness, and our communities. These are books I will re-read throughout my life, taking away something new each time.
Liv Hooper
Public Programmes Manager
An Exeter local, Liv studied English Literature & Creative Writing at Greenwich before completing a Master’s in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths. While studying, Liv assisted with several existing spoken word events, created new events, and was Assistant Chair of the Goldsmiths Creative Writing MA Journal. Returning to Exeter, Liv now sells books, makes videos about books on YouTube, and is a self-declared all-round literary enabler.
A particular fan of contemporary literature with experimental forms, and with a passion for making literature accessible to all, Liv is excited to assist the UNESCO City of Literature team in Exeter in their work.
The book I love to give as a gift: Ali Smith’s Girl Meets Boy - an all time favourite book by an all time favourite author that I have made it my mission to ensure everyone reads.
Jordan Thomas (he/him)
Communications Associate
Born and raised in Devon, Jordan has worked locally in the creative industries since 2018. He has spent much of this time in the marketing team at Exeter Phoenix - seeing firsthand how vital cultural organisations are to the local community. Whilst at Creative UK Jordan developed his creative arts marketing skills on a national level, working in collaboration with Netflix, BFI and a variety of local councils - now back in Exeter he is excited to build upon this experience with the UNESCO City of Literature team.
The fictional character you most admire: Piranesi from Susanna Clarke’s novel of the same name - unwavering kindness and curiosity for the world despite the unfathomable situation he finds himself in.
Board of Trustees
Dee Rowett (she/her) - Board Chair
Exeter College Director of Teaching, Learning, & Development
Dee has worked for nearly 15 years in further education holding a range of roles from lecturer in English Literature, Head of Faculty for English, Languages, and the International Baccalaureate through to a senior leadership post supporting the development of teaching, learning and personal development across the college. She holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Exeter and remains a particularly passionate reader of Victorian literature following her postgraduate studies.
The book I love to give as a gift: Raynor Winn's The Salt Path. I'm fortunate enough to live in the Southwest & recognise many of the coastlines, cliffs, & places described by Winn. In giving this book, I hope it has the power to transport others through its pages to the joys of the Southwest coastal paths.
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor Faculty of Humanities,
Arts & Social Sciences, University of Exeter
Adam Watt (he/him)
Adam Watt is a Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter where he is Professor of French & Comparative Literature. He was born in Edinburgh (the first UNESCO City of Literature) and has lived and worked in Exeter since 2012. He has published numerous books and articles on French Literature, in particular on the life and work of Marcel Proust.
A book that changed the way you think about a particular topic: Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin changed how I think about race and identity.
Councillor Laura Wright
Exeter City Council Deputy Leader
Portfolio holder for Arts, Culture, & Corporate Services
Biography coming soon…
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson (she/her)
Sunday Times Bestselling Novelist and Co-Founder of Impact of Omission
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson is the Sunday Times Bestselling author of the Future Worlds Prize winning debut novel, The Principle of Moments, published in January 2024, by Gollancz. As an author of Nigerian, Jamaican, and British-Australian heritage, her work primarily focuses on people who live at the intersection of identities, whether that’s here on Earth, or in far away galaxies of her own creation. She holds a BA in English Literature and Classical Studies from the University of Exeter.
The book I love to give as a gift: I love to give Normal People by Sally Rooney to friends of all ages and genders. It is brutally evocative of the confusion of your twenties, and a perfect reminder of why we should not let good things pass us by.
May Argyle-Lander MAAT - Board Treasurer
Corporate and Business Services Manager, Bishop Fleming
May enjoys spending time getting to know her clients, talking to them about their businesses and the challenges that they may be facing and building long term relationships. This proactive approach enables her to identify any additional services that Bishop Fleming offer that her clients would benefit from.
May is a founding and active member of the Young Professional Network in Exeter.
Sharifa Milford Al Hashemy (she/her)
Inclusion Lead, Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust
Sharifa Milford Al Hashemy is an inclusion and equity specialist, holding a leadership role in the NHS, with a particular interest in culture change and organisational development. Outside of work Sharifa collects more books than she can read, has strong relationships with the local community and enjoys being a positive disrupter.
A book that changed the way you think about a particular topic: Lila Abu Lughod, Remaking Women. I have always been interested in narratives surrounding women in the Middle East and North Africa region , and which lens is applied when viewing them. This book explores the lives of women in the region and dismantles the post colonial lens which is often applied to them. It sparked a deeper understanding and interest in the socio- politics in the region and impacted the way I carried out my own research, ensuring I don’t speak for women, but allow them to bring their stories forward. This lens is one which I still approach policies and systems by asking who’s in the room when decisions are being made, and who has been left out of the narrative.
Sophie Pavelle (she/her)
Writer & Science Communicator
Sophie is a Devon-based writer and science communicator. She works for Beaver Trust as the Communications Coordinator, and presented their award-winning documentary Beavers Without Borders. She is an Ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts and sits on the RSPB England Advisory Committee. Her writing appears in The Guardian, New Scientist, National Geographic Traveller, The Metro, The Independent, BBC Countryfile and BBC Wildlife magazines. Her first book Forget Me Not, finding the forgotten species of climate-change Britain (Bloomsbury) was published in 2022, and is nominated for the 2023 People’s Book Prize.
A book that changed the way you think about a particular topic - Breath, by James Nestor. A triumph of science communication and I genuinely have made changes to my life and health habits as a result of reading it.
Tom Staniford (he/him)
Marketing Consultant, Speaker, and Lecturer
Tom is a freelance Marketing Consultant, Speaker, and Lecturer and has lived in Exeter for much of the last 15 years. A Chartered Marketer, he holds 3 Master’s-level qualifications in Law, Psychology, and Marketing, and is fascinated by stories; the way they are told, and what they represent for people and place. A passionate bibliophile and fan of lifelong learning, he speaks internationally on marketing, intellectual property law, cyberpsychology, rare disease, and storytelling.
The fictional character you most admire: Sherlock Holmes. Inimitable, iconoclastic, insightful - created his own job title and area of study years ahead of contemporaries. Yes, he had an ego, social issues, and notorious problems with substance abuse but he was also fiercely loyal to his friends, uncompromising with the truth, and capable of great compassion.
Victoria Miller (she/her)
Associate, Michelmores LLP
Vickie moved back to Devon recently, after spending 10 years in London getting a degree in Media and Modern Literature, qualifying and working as a lawyer. Now, as part of Michelmores' Corporate team in Exeter, Vickie helps enterprises achieve their aims for a positive future, with a particular interest with sustainable businesses. She has had two children's books published, about a dragon, based on stories she told her young children when they wouldn't sleep.
The book I love to give as a gift: A book I love to give as a gift is the collection of short stories, Strange Pilgrims by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It's a gift I usually give to friends going travelling, so fits the theme. I think the lack of orientation and the slight darkness that runs through much of Garcia's work is strangely comforting when far from home. One of the stories of this collection, Light is Like Water, is one of my favourite stories (strange as it seems to say of such a tragedy). I've also been given it, numerous times, and am delighted, every time.
Youth Advisors
Izzy (she/her)
Izzy likes classic literature, cold weather, and anything satire/commentary. Her favourite book is Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. She wanted to be a Youth Advisor because she believes it's essential to encourage young people to get passionate about reading, especially with the immense plethora of literature available at our fingertips!
Three Favourite Books:
Notes From The Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Babel by R.F. Kuang
The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Jimena (she/her)
Jimena is a Student Support Administrator at the University of Exeter, where she graduated from with a BSc Psychology degree last July. Literature has been her valued hobby for a long time, which made her feel thrilled when learning about Exeter City of Literature, and which encouraged her to help other young people learn about it too.
Three Favourite Books:
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
The Road by Comac McCarthy
Babel by Rebecca F. Kuang
Noah (he/him)
Noah has been interested in literature from a young age; borrowing the maximum amount of books from the library & writing his own stories. He is especially interested in queer literature, how identity is explored & the complexities of being human. In his free time, he enjoys cycling & spending time with friends. Noah is excited to use his own experience to help develop the Exeter City of Literature further & look forward to the next year.
Three Favourite Books:
In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje
Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong