DrNathan Filer
- Reader - Creative Writing
- Email: n.filer@bathspa.ac.uk
- School: School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities
- Website:
Personal statement
I've worked at Bath Spa University since 2014. I teach across the BA, MA and PhD Creative Writing programmes and am co-director of the Research Centre for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Creativity.
I have a special interest in mental health, having previously worked as a mental health nurse and researcher. My PhD thesis considered how we can tell stories that honour the unyielding complexity of mental illness and trauma while remaining alert to the demands of a general readership.
My novel, The Shock of the Fall (2013), tells the story of a young man navigating psychiatric services following the death of his brother. It was a Sunday Times bestseller and translated into thirty languages. It won the Costa Book of the Year, the Betty Trask Prize, the National Book Award for Popular Fiction and the Writers’ Guild Award for Best First Novel. My subsequent book of non-fiction, The Heartland: Finding and Losing Schizophrenia, also published as This Book Will Change Your Mind About Mental Health (2019), was a Sunday Times Book of the Year and was longlisted for the Rathbones Folio Prize, awarded for the finest work of literature, regardless of form, to be published in the English language. The charity Rethink Mental Illness named it as one of their best books of the decade.
I've written essays and articles for the Guardian, New York Times, HuffPost and Asylum Magazine. My BBC Radio 4 documentary The Mind in the Media (2017), which explored portrayals of mental illness in fiction and journalism, was shortlisted for a Mind Media Award. My podcast series Why Do I Feel? was a Financial Times Top 10 Podcast of 2021 and won a Silver Medal at the 2022 Radio Academy ARIAS awards for 'Best Independent Podcast'.
I'm a recipient of The Big Anxiety Prize, awarded in association with the University of New South Wales for 'a creative thinker advancing the discussion of mental health'. I also hold an Honorary Doctorate in Liberal Arts from Abertay University, conferred in recognition of my role in raising awareness of mental health issues through literature.
I am keen to hear from Creative Writing PhD candidates who share an interest in my research specialisms.
Academic qualifications
- BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing
- MA Creative Writing
- PhD Creative Writing
Professional memberships
- Fellow - Higher Education Academy
Teaching specialisms
- Creative Writing (fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry)
- Mental Health Humanities
- Psychology and literature
- Critical psychiatry
Impact
I have talked about books, mental health, or some combination of both on the BBC Radio 2 Book Club, BBC Radio 3's Free Thinking and BBC Radio 4's Open Book, Front Row, All in the Mind, Word of Mouth, A Good Read and the Today Programme.
I have guest-lectured at many universities in the UK and overseas, including the London School of Economics; University of Hull; St Mary's University; Birkbeck University of London; Stockholm University; University of Pécs in Hungary; Boston University (UK campus); Ithaca College (UK campus); and the School of British Studies at Berlin Humboldt University.
I have also given presentations at national and international literature festivals, including Hay-on-Wye, Birmingham Lit Fest, Wells Lit Fest, Plymouth International Literature Festival, Morges Literary Festival (Switzerland), Festival du Premier Roman in Chambéry (France) and the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival (US).
Journalism and essays
Selected work includes:
- Why what we think we know about schizophrenia is wrong - The Guardian, May 2019
- Why We Need To Move The Mental Health Conversation Beyond 'Stigma' - HuffPost, June 2019
- Life, death and everyday miracles on the NHS frontline - The Guardian Weekend (Cover story), April 2015
- Rules of Engagement - New York Times, November 2014
- Why you should ignore superlatives on book jackets - The Guardian, July 2014
- My Hero: Malala Yousafzai - The Guardian, February 2014
- Mental Health Care: Where did it all go so wrong? - The Guardian, January 2014
Research and academic outputs
The heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia
book
Filer, N (2019) The heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia. Faber & Faber, London. ISBN 9780571345953
The shock of the fall
book
Filer, N (2014) The shock of the fall. Borough Press, London. ISBN 9780007491452
Untitled
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Filer, N (2018) 'Untitled.' In: Cannon, J, ed. Three things I’d tell my younger self. The Borough Press, London. ISBN 9780008318673
Be patient and enjoy what you do
book_section
Filer, N (2017) 'Be patient and enjoy what you do.' In: 31x Pécs : Pécsi iróprogram 2011-2016 = Pécs writers' anthology 2011-2016. VerArtis, Pécs, pp. 317-328. ISBN 9789631283976
18th November 1916
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Filer, N (2015) '18th November 1916.' In: Bartlett, N and Pullinger, K, eds. Letter to an unknown soldier: a new kind of war memorial. William Collins, London, p. 236. ISBN 9780008127251
How to write an award-winning first novel
book_section
Filer, N (2015) 'How to write an award-winning first novel.' In: Owen, A, ed. Writers' & artists' yearbook 2016. Bloomsbury, London, pp. 261-264. ISBN 9781472907073
How to write an award-winning first novel
book_section
Filer, N (2014) 'How to write an award-winning first novel.' In: Owen, A, ed. Writers' & artists' yearbook 2015. Bloomsbury, London. ISBN 9781408192450
Mad fiction: who has the right to write what?
article
Filer, N (2020) 'Mad fiction: who has the right to write what?' Asylum Magazine, 27 (4).
Borderline personality disorder: attitudes of mental health nurses
article
Filer, N (2005) 'Borderline personality disorder: attitudes of mental health nurses.' Mental Health Practice, 9 (2). pp. 34-36. ISSN 1465-8720
The observer and observed: on storytelling that honours the complexity of psychosis
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Filer, N (2024) The observer and observed: on storytelling that honours the complexity of psychosis. In: Royal College of Psychiatrists International Congress, 17 - 20 June 2024, International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, UK.
The imaginary patient and diagnosis
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Filer, N (2024) The imaginary patient and diagnosis. In: 5x15, 23 April 2024, The Station, Bristol, UK.
Nathan Filer in conversation with Beri Hare
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Filer, N and Hare, B (2023) Nathan Filer in conversation with Beri Hare. In: Clifton Village LitFest, 11 November 2023, Clifton Library, Bristol, UK.
Positive psychology and creativity
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Filer, N (2023) Positive psychology and creativity. In: HMP Ashfield Festival, 1 November 2023, HMP Ashfield Library, Bristol, UK.
On writing fiction and narrative nonfiction
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Filer, N (2023) On writing fiction and narrative nonfiction. In: How To Get Published with LiteratureWorks, 21 October 2023, Exeter Library, Exeter, UK.
Your mind and mental health
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Filer, N (2023) Your mind and mental health. In: Penned Up!, 4 May 2023, Erlestoke Prison, Erlestoke, UK.
Writer's talk
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Filer, N (2023) Writer's talk. In: Mental Health Awareness Week, 18 May 2023, The Restore Trust, Bristol, UK.
The language of madness
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Filer, N (2023) The language of madness. In: Psychosis: Schizophrenia, Hearing Voices and the Language of 'Madness', 26 April 2023, ACAMH webinar [online].
Keynote lecture: creativity and empathy
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Filer, N (2022) Keynote lecture: creativity and empathy. In: Sussex Partnership NHS Trust Social Work Conference: Social Work and Trauma Informed Practice, 7 September 2022, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
Storytellers on schizophrenia
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Filer, N (2021) Storytellers on schizophrenia. In: Mental Health Association of San Mateo County: Speaker Series, 4 March 2021, Redwood City, CA, USA [online].
A disorder for everyone - discussion with Dr Lucy Johnstone
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Filer, N (2019) A disorder for everyone - discussion with Dr Lucy Johnstone. In: A Disorder for Everyone!, 29 November 2019, Jurys Inn, Cardiff, Wales.
The Heartland
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Filer, N (2019) The Heartland. In: Author Talks Series, 21 November 2019, Red Lion Books, Colchester, UK.
Mind matters
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Filer, N and O'Neill, J (2019) Mind matters. In: Stroud Book Festival, 10 November 2019, Stroud, UK.
The language of madness
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Filer, N (2019) The language of madness. In: Richmond Literature Festival, 7 November 2019, Richmond, London, UK.
The language of madness
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Filer, N (2019) The language of madness. In: Department of Psychology Seminar Series, 31 October 2019, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
The Big Anxiety Prize Lecture
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Filer, N (2019) The Big Anxiety Prize Lecture. In: The Big Anxiety Festival, 23 October 2019, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney, Australia.
Empathy and creativity
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Filer, N (2019) Empathy and creativity. In: Anxiety, Culture and the Future Conference, 18 October 2019, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Joanna Cannon and Nathan Filer: breaking and mending
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Cannon, J and Filer, N (2019) Joanna Cannon and Nathan Filer: breaking and mending. In: Durham Book Festival, 13 October 2019, Gala Theatre, Durham, UK.
Life with schizophrenia
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Filer, N (2019) Life with schizophrenia. In: Cheltenham Festival of Literature, 12 October 2019, Cheltenham Town Hall, Cheltenham, UK.
RCNF annual lecture
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Filer, N (2019) RCNF annual lecture. In: World Mental Health Day Event, 10 October 2019, Royal College of Nursing, London, UK.
The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia
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Filer, N (2019) The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia. In: Wigtown Book Festival, 6 October 2019, Wigtown, UK.
The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia
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Filer, N (2019) The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia. In: Borderlines Carlisle Book Festival, 5 October 2019, Crown and Mitre Hotel, Carlisle, UK.
The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia
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Filer, N (2019) The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia. In: Marlborough Literature Festival, 28 September 2019, Marlborough Town Hall, Marlborough, UK.
Perpectives on trauma: trauma from a literary perspective
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Filer, N (2019) Perpectives on trauma: trauma from a literary perspective. In: Royal College of Psychiatrists Medical Psychotherapy Trainee & Trainer Conference, 20 September 2019, Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, Bristol, UK.
A spotlight on mental health: Nathan Filer and Michelle Thomas in conversation
conference_item
Filer, N and Thomas, M (2019) A spotlight on mental health: Nathan Filer and Michelle Thomas in conversation. In: Foyles Literature Series, 19 September 2019, Foyles Cabot Circus, Bristol, UK.
Nathan Filer and Christie Watson in conversation
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Filer, N and Watson, C (2019) Nathan Filer and Christie Watson in conversation. In: Literature and Spoken Word Events Series, 9 September 2019, Southbank Centre, London, UK.
Talking about The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia
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Filer, N (2019) Talking about The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia. In: Bethlem Event Series, 7 September 2019, Bethlem Museum of the Mind at Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, UK.
Finding and losing schizophrenia
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Filer, N and Walters, J (2019) Finding and losing schizophrenia. In: National Centre for Mental Health Event Series, 8 August 2019, Big Moose Coffee Co, Cardiff, Wales.
Analysing the brain's functions
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Filer, N and Thomson, H (2019) Analysing the brain's functions. In: Edinburgh International Book Festival, 13 August 2019, Spark Theatre, Edinburgh, UK.
Nathan Filer in conversation with Professor Anthony David
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Filer, N (2019) Nathan Filer in conversation with Professor Anthony David. In: UCL Institute of Mental Health Launch, 16 July 2019, University College London, UK.
The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia
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Filer, N (2019) The Heartland: finding and losing schizophrenia. In: Bristol Festival of Ideas, 19 June 2019, Waterstones, Bristol, UK.
Voices in my head: exploring schizophrenia
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Filer, N (2019) Voices in my head: exploring schizophrenia. In: Dalkey Book Festival, 15 June 2019, Masonic Lodge, Dalkey, Ireland.
The Heartland: Nathan Filer in conversation with Cathy Rentzenbrink
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Filer, N (2019) The Heartland: Nathan Filer in conversation with Cathy Rentzenbrink. In: Literary Event Series, 6 June 2019, Foyles Charing Cross, London, UK.
Nathan Filer talks to Bryony Gordon
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Filer, N (2019) Nathan Filer talks to Bryony Gordon. In: Hay Festival, 25 May 2019, Starlight Stage, Hay-on-Wye, UK.
Explaining the extraordinary
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Filer, N (2019) Explaining the extraordinary. In: The Bath Festival, 17 - 26 May 2019, Masonic Hall, Bath, UK.
The Heartland
conference_item
Filer, N (2018) The Heartland. In: Engaging Empathy Through Creativity Conference, 30 November 2018, Pound Arts Centre, Corsham, UK.
Exploring the effectiveness of a creative writing intervention to promote refugees’ integration and wellbeing
conference_item
Vitale, A, Filer, N, Ryde, J and Smart, A (2017) Exploring the effectiveness of a creative writing intervention to promote refugees’ integration and wellbeing. In: VI International Congress on Migration and Mental Health, 12 October 2017, Rathaus Pankow, Berlin, Germany.
Nathan Filer and Agata Vitale
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Filer, N, Vitale, A and Hamblyn, R (2017) Nathan Filer and Agata Vitale. In: Writing Well and Writing to Get Well, 19 May 2017, Birkbeck School of Arts, London, UK.
Nathan Filer
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Filer, N (2016) Nathan Filer. In: Meet the Writer Series, 4 October 2016, Boston University, London, UK.
Keane - introductory talk
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Filer, N (2016) Keane - introductory talk. In: Psychosis on Screen, 13 June 2016, Watershed, Bristol, UK.
Perceptions of madness: understanding mental illness through art, literature and drama
conference_item
Knapp, M, Carr, S, Farmer, P, Filer, N and McGowan, J (2015) Perceptions of madness: understanding mental illness through art, literature and drama. In: PSSRU LSE Literary Festival, 25 February 2015, London School of Economics (LSE), London, UK.
How to write an award-winning best selling first novel
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Filer, N (2014) How to write an award-winning best selling first novel. In: TEDx Youth@Bath, November 2014, Bath, UK.
The Shock of the Fall and The Last Asylum at the Royal College of Nursing
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Filer, N and Gold Taylor, B (2014) The Shock of the Fall and The Last Asylum at the Royal College of Nursing. In: RCN Public Lecture Series, 10 October 2014, Royal College of Nursing, London, UK.
Lives lived at the edges: on storytelling that honours the complexity of mental illness and trauma
thesis
Filer, N (2023) Lives lived at the edges: on storytelling that honours the complexity of mental illness and trauma. PhD thesis, Bath Spa University.
Word of mouth: the ways we talk about mental health
audio
Filer, N and Rosen, M (2022) Word of mouth: the ways we talk about mental health.
A good read: Katherine Rundell and Nathan Filer
audio
Rundell, K, Filer, N and Gilbert, H (2022) A good read: Katherine Rundell and Nathan Filer.
Why Do I Feel? [5-part series]
audio
Filer, N and Burgin, K.W (2021) Why Do I Feel? [5-part series].
Archive on 4 - The Mind in the Media
audio
Filer, N and Weston, P (2017) Archive on 4 - The Mind in the Media.
Modern-day sin-eaters [blog post]
other
Filer, N (2021) Modern-day sin-eaters [blog post]. Psychology Today.
Why the urge to kiss someone can be so overpowering [blog post]
other
Filer, N (2021) Why the urge to kiss someone can be so overpowering [blog post]. Psychology Today.