Half the fun of this kind of job is the interesting folk you get to work with. Here are some of the highlights.
National Association for Literature Development Literature Professional is a newsletter which provides information, news and views for those working in the literature world, and I write and edit it every quarter. At the moment, you have to be a member of NALD to have a look.
contemporarywriters.com I’ve written in-depth profiles of writers for this highly regarded website – it’s a great resource which is well worth a look if you’re at all interested in modern writing.
Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals As part of the 70th birthday celebrations for the Carnegie and Greenaway Medals for children’s literature, I was commissioned to write a resource pack on the theme of ‘Home and Abroad’.
Mapalim I’ve written a company brochure for this organisation, and, as part of a team of writers, contributed to a set of social inclusion guides designed for Essex County Council’s playworkers.
Please Hold Ever wondered who writes that stuff about a company that you hear down the phone when they put you on hold? Well for quite a few companies, including household names like Fitness First, Marriott Hotels and Yamaha, I did.
Airtours I’ve written pages and pages of brochure and web copy for this huge holiday company (now part of Thomas Cook). Before you wonder, no, I didn’t get to travel the world checking out luxury resorts in the process. More’s the pity.
British Council There are loads of great books which have been made into films, as I discovered when I wrote and edited Reel Books, a compendium of information on some of the best.
European Food Ingredients Mm, food and writing – what could be better? I’ve written and refreshed both brochure and web copy for this major food importer.
Amanda Wait I worked with Amanda on her book Marked Men, produced following her spell as Writer in Residence at a prison in the North West.
Asylum 21 This York-based group called me in to help put together their first book, A Gap in the Curtains, a collection of fascinating writing by asylum seekers and refugees.
British Council If ever there was a great job it’s being Reader in Residence for the rather fantastic EnCompassCulture website, the British Council’s international reading community. I write a regular blog, review books, create quizzes, interview writers, host live on-line chats and look after a discussion forum. And read lots.
Northwest Culture Observatory I’m Online Communications Manager for the Northwest Culture Observatory website, an online resource and network for the cultural research community.
Impacts 08 I look after communications for the Impacts 08 research team at the University of Liverpool. I update the team’s university web pages, as well as its blog site.
John Murray I set up and now maintain a website for novelist and fiction tutor John Murray. I post news and events, update copy, and deal with enquiries.
Arts Council England North West Everyone working in the arts has been talking about leadership development lately, but I was asked to research attitudes and ideas specifically among women working in the literature field in the North West. And very illuminating it was too.
Michael Schmidt I carried out a pre-feasibility study into creating a brand new writers centre in Manchester. Just think: performance space, book shop, office space for local literature organisations, cafe bar... now wouldn’t that be great?
Litfest Following discussions with the Artistic Director of this Lancaster literature organisation, I set about drawing up a vision document and operational plan for a proposed publishing arm. I’m pleased to say that this has now become the rather lovely Flax Books.
Arts Council England North West I was commissioned to investigate the current state of independent publishing in the North West, and make recommendations for its future support. Happily, my report led to significant investment in the sector.
Litfest, Lancaster When the Artistic Director of one of the country's oldest literature festivals found himself unavoidably unavailable at the last minute, he asked me to step into the breach. I was on hand throughout the 2007 festival to introduce writers and host question and answer sessions, look after their accommodation and hospitality requirements, set up events, and welcome audiences.
Queer Up North International Festival The nice people at this fabulous multi-arts festival, held annually in Manchester, asked me to help programme some of the literature events for 2007. And I ended up hosting one too.
Word Market Festival When members of this south Cumbrian organisation wanted to take time out to brainstorm future festival programmes, I facilitated. And brought the chocolates.
Arts Council England North West I’ve assessed all sorts of applications from writers and literature organisations to the constantly over-subscribed Grants for the Arts programme.