Campaign to introduce North East readers to regional writers

May 7 2010 by The Journal

Want to learn more about North East authors? Claire Malcolm from New Writing North introduces a project that aims to introduce North East readers to regional writers.

READ Regional, which runs from May until December, is a campaign to promote North East writers to existing and new readers across the region.

New Writing North, the reading and writing development agency, runs the project in conjunction with local library authorities.

Inside this supplement you will meet the eight chosen writers for 2010. Their books are an exhilarating mixed bag of novels, poetry and a rare verse epic, but share the common factor of North East authorship.

Spanning centuries and continents, they are: The Seer Sung Husband by Bob Beagrie; You Are Her by Linda France; Background Music by Cynthia Fuller; Angel of Brooklyn by Janette Jenkins; The Duke’s Agent by Rebecca Jenkins; Inroads by Carolyn Jess-Cooke; The Myth of Justice by Graham Pears; and The Shadow of a Smile by Kachi A Ozumba.

Throughout the year, copies of the Read Regional books will be available to borrow from participating libraries in branded displays.

They will also be on sale at Read Regional events which are taking place across the region and from the project website at www.readregional.com.

Special Read Regional events include:

Civic Reading Picnics: During July and August, city centre workers and shoppers will be encouraged to relax over a book during their lunch breaks at pop-up reading areas which will appear in Newcastle and Stockton. Readers can relax in deck chairs and read selected books to make their lunch hours both relaxing and creative.

Beach Reading: Read Regional will take to the seaside during August weekends to encourage readers to make the most of summer reading opportunities.

Farmer’s Markets: Look out for the Read Regional stall, meet locally reared authors and check out bargains on books whilst shopping for your home-grown veg and organic sausages at markets across the region.

Country Fairs: Amongst the livestock, beer tents and horse riding displays, you will find the Read Regional tent selling local books.

Books for Christmas: The campaign will conclude in rousing style at the Living North Christmas Fair at Newcastle Racecourse. Bag your signed books for Christmas and give a unique present this year.

Read Regional is a fun campaign, aimed at the avid reader, for whom no journey or bedtime is complete without a book, but also at those who like the idea of reading but somehow never find the time.

If more people get hooked on the wholly healthy reading habit, the authors who live and work amongst us will also benefit.

Now is the time to support local businesses, and by ‘reading local’ you can do your bit whilst exploring new reading experiences.

:: Check out www.readregional.com  for author information, special offers and for more news on activities.

HONE YOUR OWN WRITING SKILLS

The Read Regional supplement is sponsored by Northumbria University, which offers a popular MA in Creative Writing. Many North East writers have benefited from the course, which you can join as a full-time or part-time student. On the following pages you will meet staff, students and graduates of the course.

:: For more details visit www.northumbria.ac.uk  or call 0191 227 4444.