Gemma Weekes Official

Who Am I?

I've been writing for as long as I could form the letters, doing my best to elicit a chuckle or gasp from the teachers at my London primary school. I was seventeen doing A Levels in St Lucia when Robert Lee, my creative writing tutor, sent my short story (very dark, very sadgirl) to be published in a local paper. Since then, over decades, I’ve strived to hone my voice into one that’s rhythmic, unflinching, textured, and tender—working across fiction, screen, poetry, and theatre. My debut novel, Love Me, was released by Random House to critical acclaim and went on to be translated into Dutch and Italian. My work has been widely published in journals and anthologies, and I continue to write across genres in ways that reflect my love of the musicality of life and the depth of human beings - especially as it relates to the story of the African diaspora as a means of insight, healing and transformation.

As a playwright, my work has been performed at venues including Theatre Royal Stratford East, the Royal Festival Hall, and most recently at Soho House, where When You Are Silent—a piece inspired by Nina Simone—was performed by the extraordinary Tobi Ogunjobi.

In screenwriting, I’ve worked on several episodes of the BBC animated series JoJo & Gran Gran, including co-writing the RTS award-winning episode It’s Time to Visit St Lucia. I've also worked extensively with The Line Animation as a story consultant, copywriter and screenwriter—developing an original series concept for Netflix, and producing work for brands including Acura, Chobani, Riot Games, and their in-house originals department.

Alongside my creative work, I’ve taught and facilitated for many years. I’ve delivered talks and workshops for the Arvon Foundation, the Southbank Centre, Writing Our Legacy, The Complete Works, and the Barbican Centre (for the Boom For Real Basquiat exhibition), as well as collaborated on Resisting Silence with Oxford Research in the Humanities. I'm currently an adjunct professor of Creative Writing at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, and I also teach English and the Arts at an international school.

These days, I spend the quiet, early hours reworking my second novel, GRI-GRI—a magical-realist riff on the lives and deaths of Jean-Michel Basquiat. I’m represented by Kerry-Ann Bentley and currently live mostly in the tropics with my partner and teenaged son.

Works

"I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of working in different forms. Each form provides a different avenue for expression. A different way of telling the story of how I see the world.”

Books:

Love Me - Debut Novel (Random House)

'Singer and poet Gemma Weekes's first foray into fiction is a delight, with the time-worn coming-of-age love story turned into a fresh, alluring read....' - The Guardian

‘Gemma Weekes is a name to watch. Written in a zingy, street-smart prose, Love Me is a bitter-sweet coming-of-age fable that crackles with reflections on race, migration and music. …’ - The Independent

‘Singer-poet Weekes' fresh take on modern love hits you where you feel it most - and the narrative and linguistic skills don't let up until you reluctantly reach the final page.’ - The Telegraph

'...the dialogue-heavy language is powered by an energy that brings the youthful characters into sharp focus...' - The Metro

Anthologies:

IC3: The Penguin Book of New Black Writing in Britain

Kin: New Fiction by Black and Asian Women

Tell Tales V. 2: the Anthology of Short Stories

Red: Contemporary Black British Poetry

Mechanics Institute Review 2017 book cover

The Mechanics' Institute Review (2017)

Filigree (2018)

Too Young, Too Loud, Too Different

Glimpse (2022)

Stage & Screenwriting:

Her theatre work has been performed at venues including Stratford East Theatre Royal, The Royal Festival Hall, and most recently at Soho House when her Nina Simone-inspired piece When You Are Silent was brought to life by powerhouse actress Tobi Ogunjobi. for major clients such as the BBC on their animated television series ‘JoJo & Gran Gran’

Commercial Consultant/Writer:

Her dogged work ethic and talent for generating ideas within the parameters of a brief make her a wonderful addition to any creative team. CurrentlyHer speed and professionalism have cemented her career as a burgeoning screenwriter and with the Line Animation as a story consultant, copywriter and screenwriter, producing work for brands such as Acura, Chobani and Riot Games.

Services Offered

"If you want something done, give it to a busy person!”

Writer:

Poet, scriptwriter, novelist, short stories, articles… available for commissions, anthologies or whatever you lovelies might dream up.

Script Writing:

I’ve worked on everything from documentary scripts to advertising, animation, theatre and monologues. Ask me for samples.

Story Consultancy:

I offer decades of experience with the architecture of character, story and pacing to help individuals or companies at all stages of the creative process; from conceiving ideas to flushing out any problems later down the line. I can help with advertising, fiction, film, theatre or anything else that involves made-up humans (or anthropomorphic beings).

Copywriting & Social Media:

Clear, engaging copywriting for campaigns, websites, promotional materials and social media. Can help align brand identity with copy; emphasis on voice, clarity, and audience connection.

Editing & Proofreading:

Eagles have nothing on the eye of a ruthless proofreader such as myself. (I do wear some pretty thick glasses though).

Workshops & Coaching:

There are two layers to it: I love helping individuals and groups access their full potential as writers, screenwriters and poets; I also believe that the act of writing can offer incredible benefits for healing and wellbeing.

Talks & Performances:

I’m available to deliver performances of poetry and fiction, book talks, writer motivation or any of my other areas of expertise.

Gemma Weekes