I’m a London-based web-savvy copywriter, editor, journalist and storyteller with a track record of award-winning writing and meticulous research. There’s nothing I love more than crafting compelling, nuanced narratives that captivate audiences. I thrive under tight deadlines, enjoy exploring new technologies, and bring a confident, collaborative approach to every project. From editing poetry to shaping feature articles for leading publications and crafting SEO website copy for creative entrepreneurs, I blend imaginative flair with practical results, with experience across Outlier.ai, Curtis Brown Creative, The Literary Consultancy, the British Council and the BBC. I mentor writers, curate literary events, and apply a curious, interdisciplinary lens and a strong command of language to storytelling across print, digital and performance spaces. 


Dzifa Benson

I’m a London-based web-savvy copywriter, editor, journalist and storyteller with a track record of award-winning writing and meticulous research. There’s nothing I love more than crafting compelling, nuanced narratives that captivate audiences. I thrive under tight deadlines, enjoy exploring new technologies, and bring a confident, collaborative approach to every project. From editing poetry to shaping feature articles for leading publications and crafting SEO website copy for creative entrepreneurs, I blend imaginative flair with practical results, with experience across Outlier.ai, Curtis Brown Creative, The Literary Consultancy, the British Council and the BBC. I mentor writers, curate literary events, and apply a curious, interdisciplinary lens and a strong command of language to storytelling across print, digital and performance spaces. 


Available to hire

I’m a London-based web-savvy copywriter, editor, journalist and storyteller with a track record of award-winning writing and meticulous research. There’s nothing I love more than crafting compelling, nuanced narratives that captivate audiences. I thrive under tight deadlines, enjoy exploring new technologies, and bring a confident, collaborative approach to every project.

From editing poetry to shaping feature articles for leading publications and crafting SEO website copy for creative entrepreneurs, I blend imaginative flair with practical results, with experience across Outlier.ai, Curtis Brown Creative, The Literary Consultancy, the British Council and the BBC. I mentor writers, curate literary events, and apply a curious, interdisciplinary lens and a strong command of language to storytelling across print, digital and performance spaces.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Intermediate
Italian
Beginner
Ewe
Intermediate

Work Experience

Content Writer, Editor, Annotator at Outlier.ai
November 1, 2025 - Present
Adapting to new technological tools and collaborating remotely with diverse global teams, projects and clients to build more accurate AI for major tech companies. Creating high-quality datasets from multiple modalities including images, audio, video and text by writing original and challenging prompts, ranking AI responses to ensure accuracy and factuality, and providing reasoning & logic behind different responses and evaluations.
Editor at Curtis Brown Creative
October 1, 2023 - Present
Editing poetry for appraisal and writing detailed feedback reports of editorial suggestions for revision.
Editor at The Literary Consultancy
April 1, 2014 - Present
Reading fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry manuscripts for appraisal in order to write detailed feedback reports of editorial suggestions for revision. Mentoring writers for six months at a time.
Content Executive at Quintessentially Luxury Lifestyle Management Service
July 1, 2016 - September 1, 2017
Researched and wrote SEO-optimised product descriptions of luxury products, high-end restaurants and hotels for the worldwide Quintessentially app. Sourced, edited and uploaded images to the app. Worked closely with the Editorial and Digital teams, generated and researched ideas and wrote features for Art of Living by Aston Martin’s curated series of experiences, products and events. Wrote articles covering art, culture, beauty and the environment for Q Insider online magazine.
Freelance Copywriter at The Persuader Copywriter
September 1, 2009 - Present
Set up and ran this freelance copywriting service. Designed and built websites, provided copywriting, content and social media solutions to small businesses. Clients included interior designers, architects, theatre producers, fashion designers, charities and NGOs. Generated and scheduled social media content and product description services to small businesses. Responsible for all aspects of operations including procuring new clients, managing budgets and marketing the brand.
Journalist at The Financial Times
July 1, 2021 - Present
Regular contributor of reviews of fiction and non-fiction books. Also contributing features and interviews.
Journalist at The Daily Telegraph
July 1, 2018 - Present
Theatre critic for Telegraph’s theatre pages; regular reviews, features, essays and interviews with rapid turnaround. Also writes on fiction, non-fiction, poetry and culture.
Journalist at Times Literary Supplement
November 1, 2018 - Present
Contributing reviews of fiction, non-fiction and poetry books.
Poet Coach at Poetry Pool, This Must Be the Place, Ebbsfleet Garden City
March 1, 2022 - October 1, 2023
Collaborated with over 200 local young people on a three-year place-making programme to produce storytelling and poetry embedded in the civic landscape. Devised and facilitated workshops in schools and community centres to explore opportunities and challenges of a new city. Fostered ownership and agency in participants’ decision-making processes.
Guest Lecturer at London College of Music, University of West London
March 1, 2019 - March 1, 2022
Lectured undergraduate students in analysing writing and performing poetry. Led seminars on poetry, storytelling, fiction and non-fiction writing.
Librettist at Opera Lab: Making the Future of Opera, Royal Opera House
November 1, 2024 - July 1, 2025
One of 12 participants analysing contemporary works, sharing practice, ideas, and working collaboratively with opera singers, pianists, directors and other writers to explore the alchemy of storytelling with music and the classical voice. Composing mini-operas in collaboration with a director.
Poet / Author at Monster (Bloodaxe Books)
October 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025
Critically acclaimed poetry collection published by the UK’s largest independent publisher of poetry. Positively reviewed in Guardian, Telegraph, Glamour Magazine and other publications worldwide.
Playwright at Sarah Baartman Monologue, London Museum
October 1, 2024 - February 1, 2025
Consulted, devised the storytelling and composed a 90-second dramatic monologue for the London Museum’s Past Time galleries interactive installation about Sarah Baartman opening in 2026.
Poet at BBC Contains Strong Language 2022, Birmingham Hippodrome
September 1, 2022 - Present
Read and performed poetry across events including Podium Poets and Across Borders Poems from the Commonwealth. Interviewed by Ian McMillan on The Verb, BBC Radio 3. Facilitated The Gift, a creative writing workshop.
Dramaturg at New Play Dramaturgy Intensive: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC
July 1, 2019 - August 1, 2019
Assistant dramaturg in this intensive, led by Mark Bly, focused on enriching the participants’ experience of the dramaturg as the key resource in the rehearsal room to the playwright and director of new plays.
Curator in Residence at Lines of Dissent, Orleans House Gallery
July 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Selected artworks and commissioned 20 contemporary artists to respond to artworks revealing invisible inheritances and untold stories, with outreach workshops and university collaborations.
Curator & Creative Producer at Renaissance One/Tilt Spoken Word
April 1, 2009 - September 1, 2019
Curated, programmed and produced multimedia literary events and festivals across the UK; built relationships with venues; produced and toured shows; wrote and scheduled online SEO content.
Parliamentary Assistant at Karen Buck, MP
October 1, 2002 - April 1, 2009
First point of contact for press, constituent and parliamentary enquiries; managed diary, travel; drafted letters and briefings; resourced research for speeches and policy work.

Education

MA in Text & Performance at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and Birkbeck, University of London
January 11, 2030 - January 24, 2026
NVQ Level 3 at Kensington & Chelsea College
January 11, 2030 - January 24, 2026
BA (Hons) Economics and European Literature at University of East Anglia
January 11, 2030 - January 24, 2026

Qualifications

Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowship
January 1, 2021 - January 24, 2026
Best Original Script, Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
January 1, 2021 - January 24, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Other, Software & Internet
    paper Freelance Theatre Critic, The Telegraph

    Muckrack.com provides a portal to links for all the theatre criticism I have done for the Telegraph, interviews, essays on TV and music, fiction, non-fiction and poetry book reviews I’ve done across the Telegraph, the Financial Times, the Times Literary Supplement and Broadway World over the years.

    paper Interview with Claudia Rankine

    The Financial Times commissioned me to conduct and write a feature interview of the award-winning writer, poet and playwright Claudia Rankine ahead of the UK premiere of her play, The White Card. One of several articles I’ve written for the same publication.

    paper Curtis Brown Creative

    Over the last 5 years, I have provided written feedback to participants on the Writing Poetry course of the only writing school from a major literary and talent agency.

    paper The Literary Consultancy

    My work with The Literary Consultancy spanned a decade of providing in-depth editorial feedback via written reports to writers at every level from complete beginners to seasoned professionals.

    paper The Water Replies: Notes on Teaching Contemporary Poetry, Estuary Festival

    As well as curating two major literay events for the festival, I co-edited and co-curated The Water Replies: Notes on Teaching Contemporary Poetry as part of Estuary Festival. I liaised with teachers in schools all over Kent and Essex, leading British poets, publishers, designers, festival organisers and local members of the public.

    paper Renaissance One

    As well as crafting website cop, I wrote and scheduled SEO content across its social media channels, I also created marketing assets including press releases. As a creative producer I curated, programmed and produced multimedia literary events and festivals across the UK; built relationships with venues; produced and toured shows.

    paper Effichem Software

    I gave all the copy on the entire website a refresh using my copyediting skills. The company provides laboratory professionals with the tools to manage laboratories.

    paper Into the Light: Pioneers of Black British Ballet

    I wrote the positional statement, devised the title and co-curated the this touring exhibition for The Black British Ballet Project which celebrates the presence of black ballet dancers in the UK.

    paper Enki Design & Architecture

    I wrote SEO copy for the entire website for this business which was originally a small architects practice and has since transformed into an architectural blog and magazine.

    paper Comshows

    Using my copyediting skills I conducted a total website text refresh for this specialist live communication and event management agency that utilises video and leading edge digital technology to create impactful communications.

    paper Progress Lodge (Empowered Community Support)

    I wrote the SEO copy for the entire website for this community housing support organisation committed to enhancing the quality of life for people whose behaviour is considered challenging within wider society.

    paper The Room Company

    I wrote the SEO copy for the entire website for this interior designer who is highly sought after by private clients and residential-investment property owners in London and South East England.