Polly Courtney
Encyclopedia
Polly Courtney is an English
author
and media commentator. She is best known as the author of the novels Golden Handcuffs and Poles Apart.
, University of Cambridge
with a first-class degree in mechanical engineering
, and worked in investment banking
for two years before resigning to spend time writing her first novel based on her experiences in the City
.
. At the release of It's a Man's World in 2011, Courtney announced plans to return to self-publishing because she does not agree with the chick lit
marketing approach used by HaperCollins.
She has recently written a number of articles about the lives of immigrant workers in the UK, which is the subject of her second novel.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
author
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and media commentator. She is best known as the author of the novels Golden Handcuffs and Poles Apart.
Background
In her early years, Courtney was a straight-A student who spent her free time playing a multitude of sports and playing violin with various orchestras and quartets. She grew up in London. Courtney graduated from Trinity CollegeTrinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
with a first-class degree in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
, and worked in investment banking
Investment banking
An investment bank is a financial institution that assists individuals, corporations and governments in raising capital by underwriting and/or acting as the client's agent in the issuance of securities...
for two years before resigning to spend time writing her first novel based on her experiences in the City
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.
Fiction
Courtney has written a number of novels. Her first novel, Golden Handcuffs, was self-published. She then moved to a three-book publishing deal with HarperCollins imprint, AvonAvon (publishers)
Avon Publications was an American paperback book and comic book publisher. As of 2010, it is an imprint of HarperCollins, publishing primarily romance novels.-History:...
. At the release of It's a Man's World in 2011, Courtney announced plans to return to self-publishing because she does not agree with the chick lit
Chick lit
Chick lit is genre fiction which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and lightheartedly. The genre sold well during the 1990s and 2000s, with chick lit titles topping bestseller lists and the creation of imprints devoted entirely to chick lit...
marketing approach used by HaperCollins.
Non-fiction
Courtney has written opinion pieces on the City, women workers and general career advice in The Observer, The Guardian and many other publications.She has recently written a number of articles about the lives of immigrant workers in the UK, which is the subject of her second novel.