Plays. Fiction. Teaching. Coaching.
Stories that challenge. Theatre that matters.
From award-winning scripts and national tours to short fiction and the coaching of writers.
“Cowan's writing has a gleeful abandon that is beguiling.The Times on Smilin’ Through
“As the writer, Billy Cowan has created a tight and powerful script … as the director, he has produced a show which isn’t over dramatic but hits home with a punch.★★★★★ WhatsonStage on Care Takers
“A cheeky reflection on the gig economy ... full of relevance, pathos and dramatic excitement.New York Times on Prophet
Introduction
About Billy
I am Billy Cowan—an award-winning playwright, short fiction author, and creative writing coach/teacher. Whether writing or directing political theatre, publishing flash fiction, or coaching creative writers in the mechanics of short fiction and scriptwriting, my career is dedicated to the power of precise, impactful storytelling.
My work is provocative, edgy, and socially engaged—often funny and queer-specific—and digs into “the moral complexities” of our times.
My theatrical work has toured the UK and internationally with the consistent support of Arts Council England.
Explore plays and productions
Biography
Behind the work
The Truant Story
My journey as a professional writer really took off in 2003 when my script Smilin’ Through won the Writing Out International Award, organised by London's Finborough Theatre, for best new gay play. Following that success, I co-founded Truant Company with director Natalie Wilson, allowing us to produce my plays while maintaining total creative control.
For over two decades, I have been the artistic director of Truant Company, which is the primary vehicle for developing and touring my plays across the UK and beyond. Through the company, I have collaborated with leading venues and arts organisations, including the Birmingham Rep, Contact Manchester, Oldham Coliseum, The Drill Hall London, Homotopia, Outburst and Queer Up North.
Beyond Truant, I have a deep passion for community and youth theatre, having written plays for the Bolton Octagon (Sidelined, Straight Talk) and M6 Theatre Company (Glee & Glum, Web Pal, It Should Have Been Me).
Fiction, Academia & Coaching
Alongside my playwriting, I am a short story and flash fiction writer. My stories have been published widely online and in anthologies, including Big Strong Giant in A Girl’s Guide to Fishing by Reflex Press and The Troubles in Flash Non-Fiction Funny by Woodhall Press.
From 2012 to 2023, I was a Senior Lecturer and MA Programme Leader in Creative Writing at Edge Hill University, where I published books and articles on political theatre and the short story including Scenes from a Revolution: Making Political Theatre 1968-2018 with Dr Kim Wiltshire. Today, I bring that academic and practical expertise to my role as a professional creative writing coach at The Writing Coach, London, specialising in scriptwriting and short fiction.