Fiona Pitt-Kethley papers

Fiona Pitt-Kethley (1954- ) is a British writer best known for her satirical, erotic poems and articles and books on sex and travel. She was born in Edgware, Middlesex, England, the daughter of Rupert Singleton, a journalist and a leading ecumenical bishop, and Olive Banfield Pitt-Kethley, a civil servant. She attended Chelsea School of Art and earned a B.A. in fine arts (with honors) in 1976. While at college, she had a job ushering at the Old Vic, and later at the National Theatre. After college, Pitt-Kethley studied Art History in a part-time post-graduate course and tried to support herself with the sale of her paintings. Unsuccessful in the latter, Pitt-Kethley decided in 1978 to concentrate on writing fulltime. Initially, she supported herself with occasional work as a film extra. Her first poem was published after she had received 86 rejections. Gradually acceptances outnumbered rejections and her poems were published in a wide range of poetry and general interest magazines. From 1985 on, her books, including several compilations of poems, were accepted by mainstream publishers. Her first bestseller, Sky Ray Lolly, was published by Chatto & Windus in 1986.

Among Pitt-Kethley’s publications are collections of poems, travel books, anthologies, a novel, a novella, her autobiography, and a book of essays and letters. She has written articles, reviews, opinion pieces, and profiles for many newspapers and magazines, most notably The Times, The Independent, and The Guardian. Pitt-Kethley authored columns on allotments for Oldie, the arts for The Guardian, and travel for The Whistler. She occasionally writes under the pseudonym Rupert Singleton. Pitt-Kethley has performed her poetry or given speeches at major literary festivals, at libraries and universities, and on television and radio programs.

Published compilations of poetry include: London (privately printed, 1984); Rome (Mammon Press, 1985); The Tower of Glass (Mariscat Press, 1985); Gesta (Turret Books, 1986); Sky Ray Lolly (Chatto & Windus, 1986); Private Parts (Chatto & Windus, 1987; Abacus, 1989); The Perfect Man (Abacus, 1989); Dogs (Sinclair-Stevenson, 1993); The Cabinet of Curiosities (privately printed, 1995); Double Act (Arcadia Books, 1996); Memos from a Muse (privately printed, 1997); and Selected Poems (Salt Publishing, 2008). Pitt-Kethley also published the travel books Journeys to the Underworld (Chatto & Windus, 1988), The Pan Principle (Sinclair-Stevenson, 1994), and Red Light Districts of the World (Tamworth Press, 2000). Other publications include the anthologies The Literary Companion to Sex: An Anthology of Prose and Poetry (Random House, 1992) and The Literary Companion to Low Life (Sinclair-Stevenson, 1995); the novels The Misfortunes of Nigel (Peter Owen, 1991), The Maiden’s Progress (Turret Books, 1992), and Baker’s Dozen (Tamworth Press, 2000); Pitt-Kethley’s autobiography My Schooling; and a collections of essays and letters, Too Hot to Handle (Peter Owen, 1992).

In 2006, Pitt-Kethley told Contemporary Authors: “My work is largely satirical—attacking hypocrisy, cruelty, and exploitation in society. Many of my poems are about contemporary sexuality. I use explicit, everyday language. As to my general aims, I would like to see poetry taken seriously as a profession. It certainly isn’t in Britain at the moment. I am concerned with improving the rights of writers in general and women writers in particular. I have campaigned extensively against discrimination in poetry publishing and literary awards.” ( Contemporary Authors Online, Thomson Gale, 2006) Pitt-Kethley has brought attention to the injustices she perceives, such as the small percentage of female British poets who are published and/or receive awards and grants. She was a complainant against the Arts Council of Great Britain regarding racial equality in the application process for bursaries.

In 2002, Pitt-Kethley moved to Spain with her husband, former British chess champion James Plaskett, and their son Alexander.