Meet your new Non-Executive Director: Rachael Davis-Featherstone

Can you tell us about your background?

I am a mixed-race Black-British author, literary agent and mum to two young girls. I grew up in a low-income single-parent family in Woodford Green. I studied Mathematics at Oxford before embarking on a career in finance. Later, I began writing and have since published over 20 books, from picture books and educational books to adult novels and non-fiction. I champion diversity in literature and have been shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards and the Inclusive Books for Children Awards. In 2024, I co-founded Creative Roots Studio which builds sustainable careers for children’s book creatives.

Was being an author something you always wanted to do, or did that come later in life?

I wrote my first story when I was seven. I always enjoyed creating stories and had a secret dream to write a book one day. But I never thought being an author was a reality for me. I struggled with reading and spelling at school. I did my best to hide it, but it impacted my confidence and self-esteem. I chose to study Maths at Oxford because I didn’t think I would get in if I applied for Philosophy. But during my third year, I wrote an extended mathematical essay and achieved a First for the module. It was the first time in my life I remember thinking “ah, maybe I can write”.

You began your career in finance before becoming an author, what inspired the change?

While I have always enjoyed mathematics and strategic thinking, my true passion was creating stories. When I was 24, my mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer and I was shaken to the core. It had always just been mum and me. She was only 46 when she died. I decided life was too short not to follow your dreams, so I quit my job, completed a Masters in English Literature and became a full-time writer. I carry my mum with me in every book that I write.

What interested you about serving on the Board of ALCS?

I whole-heartedly support the work of ALCS and their mission to make sure writers are paid fairly for the use of their work. Through Creative Roots Studio, I spend most of my time championing other writers and helping them build a sustainable income in the creative industry. But I do sometimes miss my job as a financial analyst, and I enjoy using my strategy background in the creative industries to help writers. So, working with ALCS as a Non-Executive Director is the dream role for me!

What attributes do you think you bring to the organisation?

I bring a unique combination of analytical skills, strategic thinking and creativity. As an author with a financial background, I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to the Board, particularly in my role on the Finance and Audit Committee. I also bring a passion for diversity and advocacy for writers.

What have you learned from your time serving on the Board of a primary school and as Trustee at English PEN?

As Vice-Chair of a large primary school, I have learned best practice governance and how to provide constructive challenge to hold the leadership to account. I have seen the importance of teamwork and mutual respect between Board members and Senior Leadership, and understanding the difference between operational and strategic input. Furthermore, as a Trustee for English PEN, I sit on the Finance and Audit Committee and will bring this experience to ALCS.

What do you think is the most pressing issue facing writers right now?

How to make a sustainable income as an author. As writers, we need to look at all avenues we need to create multiple income streams for our work, and even then it is hard to make a living as a full-time creative. The average annual salary for a writer is dismal. With the external challenges of AI, fierce competition for books deals, and fight to get any kind of marketing and media exposure for books that are published, writers are facing significant hurdles from all directions. That is what makes ALCS such an important organisation for writers, to help them get paid fairly for the use of their work.

What are you currently reading?

What does it feel like? by Sophie Kinsella. Sophie, Madeleine Wickham, is a true inspiration to me. Her books have brought me so much joy over the decades, and she is facing the devastating challenges life has thrown at her with such bravery. Only she could write such a warm, semi-biographical novella on such a difficult topic.