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Originally a painter and jazz enthusiast, she switched to music, eventually studying

at the Goldsmiths College and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

She has released several albums on her label Mandeville Records, and recorded

with amongst others Tony Coe and Hugh Hopper (Soft Machine) and Geoffrey

Richardson (Caravan) as well as playing live in numerous situations. Her influences

are eclectic, using piano, keyboards and accordion to explore not only jazz but tango

and other world music.

After some years in the music business Frances decided to pursue her interest in the

written word and took an MA in prose fiction.

Her fiction and poetry have been shortlisted four times for the prestigious Bridport

Prize as well as winning the University of Kent T.S. Eliot student poetry award.

She has won second prize in Faversham literary Festival and more recently been awarded 1st prize in the King Lear Short Story  Award and Saveas International Short Story competition

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