About Matt Coot
Why I Write
Raised in Cornwall and inspired by its rich culture and fascinating folklore, it is no surprise that I have always wanted to be a writer. When asked that stereotypical question that all children are asked, 'what do you want to be when you grow up?', my answer had been a part-time firefighter and part-time author. This answer was, no doubt, inspired by my mutual love of Fireman Sam and Enid Blyton. Whilst my bravery towards fighting fire may have diminished, my love of writing has never died.
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I've always been a ferocious reader and whilst my interest in mysteries began with The Famous Five and The Secret Seven, it was through the works of Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Mo Hayder, James Patterson, and Thomas Harris that my passion for crime fiction took hold. As well as giving me a joy of reading, they have all also had a huge influence on my own aspirations of being a crime writer.
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These aforementioned writers, amongst many others, taught me how to write a thrilling crime novel. They also proved that crime fiction isn't only about solving the central mystery. The genre holds up a mirror to society and examines the human condition. To me, this is something that this genre does better than any other. When I write, I obviously want to tell an entertaining story that leaves the reader thrilled, but I also want to tell stories that speak my truth - I want to explore the world that I live in and highlight the social issues that are important to me. This is why I write.
Education
MA Creative Writing (with Distinction)
University of Plymouth, 2020.
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BA (Hons) Creative Writing
Bath Spa University, 2013.
In addition to formal education, I regularly undertake short courses and various other opportunities to increase my skills and knowledge. These have included:
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Creative Thursday at the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival (2024 & 2025),
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Dynamic Policing Masterclass with Graham Bartlett, Professional Writing Academy (2024)
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Crime Writing Masterclass with Elly Griffiths, National Centre for Writing (2023)
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TV Drama Development (with Philip Shelley, Tolula Dada, and Mandy Redvers-Rowe), Arvon Residential Writing Week (2023)
I have attended various events and literary festivals as an additional way to develop skills and engage with other writers and readers. These events have included:
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Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
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CrimeFest
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Bloody Scotland
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Bay Tales
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International Agatha Christie Festival
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Penzance LitFest​
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Falmouth Book Festival
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London Screenwriters Festival
Experiences
Over the years, I have worked in secondary education, retail, theatre, tv production, a call centre, and as a town councillor.​ These many different experiences have all provided inspiration for my writing.
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I have also experienced many difficulties in life and have had to find the strength to overcome these. The most challenging was learning to live with mental health issues and they discovery that I have a personality disorder. More about this, and how I use these experiences in my writing, can be found further down this page.
Enhancing My Work With Creative Writing
When I was working in secondary education, initially as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and then as a Library Manager, I led various extra-curricular projects that enhanced students' experiences by using my experience and knowledge as a writing. These included: an annual week-long murder mystery, a journalism group, and a weekly creative writing club.
Students in full PPE searching the crime scene for evidence.
Measuring and recording a footprint leading to the crime scene.
The criminal mastermind, sending taunting videos to the investigators.
Students in full PPE searching the crime scene for evidence.
A selection of images from CSI Saltash
CSI Saltash: A Week-Long Murder Mystery
CSI Saltash saw students learn to use forensic science techniques and other investigatory methods to solve a murder. The week culminated in a court case where they presented their evidence to a judge and jury.
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I developed storylines, wrote dialogue and character notes for the suspects/witnesses, and taught the techniques to the students. The last time that I led the activity, I wasn't just the lead tutor but also acted as a surprise criminal mastermind.
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The hard work put into developing the activity was always worth it for the enthusiasm from the students.​
Journalism Group - Love Saltash Magazine
I was the lead tutor and co-editor for 'School's Report', a section of the local monthly publication, Love Saltash, which was delivered to homes in Saltash, Cornwall. Under the guidance of the magazine's editor and myself, a group of students pitched, researched, and wrote articles that featured in the magazine. They also provided photography to accompany the articles.
Creative Writing Club
I created and led a weekly creative writing club, teaching a variety of different genres and forms. It was such a delight and privilege to see the passion shown by the students and the development of their writing skills. I miss leading creative writing workshops and I'm hoping to setup new workshops soon.
Themed Activities & Author Visits
I'm the Mad Hatter, because who else would I be?!
During my employment as a secondary school library manager, I organised themed days (World Book Day, Roald Dahl Day, etc.) with costumes encouraged. I dressed as Harry Potter, the Mad Hatter, and Willy Wonka. Images of these can be seen to the left.
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I also organised for author visits to the school, including Gillian Cross, author of the Demon Headmaster books, and Rob Badcock, author of Big Frog. Images of these can also be seen to the left.
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Note: there's nothing wrong with your screen, faces of students have been blurred.
Community & Volunteering
In 2014, I was elected to Saltash Town Council in a by-election. I served on the council until 2017, when I resigned due to poor health and a toxic atmosphere caused by another councillor.
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During my time as a town councillor, I became involved with planning community events. This included working on a committee to plan an annual large-scale event (the Saltash May Fair), helping with the Saltash Christmas Festival, and a short time with the Saltash Regatta.
These experiences prompted me to undertake a short Event Planning course at Truro and Penwith College, during which I worked with a team to produce a charity race night in Truro (in which I also acted as the emcee).
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I have recently begun volunteering as an usher at the town's new cinema (Saltash Studios).
Videography & Filmmaking
A promotional stall at Saltash Christmas Festival
During my undergraduate studies, I had involvement in the production of several short films, culminating in writing and directing my own short (Remember This). This can be found here.
In addition to short films, I was elected to be the head producer for the student union's television station. I recruited and led a team of students to provide videography of student events (including comedy shows), music videos for student musicians, and informative films for the SU. A selection of these can be found here.
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Between 2017 and 2020, I attempted to start my own videography and film production company (Rallidae Productions). Sadly, due to a variety of issues including my mental health and the pandemic, I had to bring this to an end (or, at least, pause it indefinitely). During the time it was running, I provided videography and photography for local events (including the recruitment and management of a small team). I also started a project that would have created a writers room to write and produce a web-series.
My Mental Health: self-destruction, psychosis, and BPD.
In 2011, in the middle of my undergraduate studies, I experienced psychosis and attempted to take my own life. This major mental health crisis split my life into two: before psychosis and after. My memory of the event is very hazy and memories of the life before is sometimes difficult to recall. Recovery took a while and there's been some bumpy moments with a few other crises and suicide attempts. There was also a realisation that the psychosis, self-destructive behaviour, and impulsive actions were all caused by a mental health condition. There was a long (clichéd) 'journey' to getting a diagnosis, with a couple of misdiagnoses along the way, but we finally came to the conclusion that I have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), which is also called Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) - both names are awful at provoking prejudicial views but I choose BPD as the lesser of two evils (unstable?! no thanks).
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I'm determined to use my experiences to inform my work as a writer. This has included, on occasion, performing autobiographical monologues during charity performances with SLAM King's Cross. I'm also determined to accurately portray mental health issues and want to show that we don't have to be the victim or villain; we can be the hero. These conditions aren't always a disease or a disability, because sometimes they can be a superpower.