Dreda Say Mitchell
Dreda Say Mitchell is an award-winning, bestselling crime writer, broadcaster, campaigner, and journalist. Since her sixth book she has been co-writing with Tony Mason.
She is the author of eleven novels, with her debut awarded The CWA's John Creasey Dagger. She has been a frequent guest on television and radio including Question Time, BBC Breakfast and Victoria Derbyshire. Dreda was named one of Britain's 50 Remarkable Women by Lady Geek in association with Nokia. Dreda and Tony's work is currently in development for TV. She was born and raised in the East End of London where she continues to live.
Dreda is an ambassador for The Reading Agency's Reading Ahead programme and an author of a Quick Read in 2017, One False Move. Find out more about Dreda at readingahead.org.uk.
What do you love about reading?
"The escapism but also the reality of connecting to a main character because the issues they face may be issues I have faced too. Books help me work out what my place in the world is. I love the joy and beauty of reading words on a page."
Why have you chosen to be an ambassador for Reading Ahead?
"On one occasion while I was visiting a prison, an inmate told me that one of my novels got her into books and now she was an eager reader of fiction. That's what The Reading Agency does, connects with hard-to-reach communities to improve literacy skills and gets people who otherwise might not pick up a book, reading.
I am a huge admirer of what The Reading Agency does, so what an honour to be part of such innovative and ground-breaking initiative that truly makes a difference in people's lives."
