New Writing North newsletter

Just been emailed the latest newsletter from New Writing North so I thought I would post the information for my followers:

Poetry Slam The Bar, Ustinov College, Durham University: Wednesday 5 June, 7pm Twelve poets will get three minutes each in three rounds to compete to be the slam champion and win the cash prize of £75. Hosted by Poetry Jack. Everyone welcome, free admission and no booking required.

NCLA First Thursdays: creative writing showcase Room 2.98, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University: Thursday 6 June, 1pm Join students from across Newcastle University’s creative writing programme in a celebration of new work from this year. Free event. For more details, see www.ncl.ac.uk/ncla.

True North: literature and the region Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University: Thursday 6 June, 7pm An evening of discussion and celebration of the region’s literature and how the region is represented in literature with three of our most celebrated writers: Lee Hall, Val McDermid and Sean O’Brien. The evening will also include the screening of a short film, Proof, by Tara Bergin, Kate Sweeney and Anna Woodford about the Bloodaxe Archive, which was recently acquired by Newcastle University. Free event. For more details and to book, contact melanie.birch@ncl.ac.uk.

Bea Davenport: In Too Deep Blackwell’s, Newcastle: Thursday 6 June, 6.30pm Alnwick Library: Tuesday 18 June 7pm Bea Davenport’s debut novel is inspired by the author’s former life as a journalist. Bea currently teaches creative writing at Northumbria University and lives in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Free event. For more details, email info@legendpress.co.uk.

Hartlepool Libraries present their spring programme Hartlepool libraries: Saturday 1-Friday 7 June Hartlepool Libraries kick off their event programme with a fortnight of talks, storytelling, and workshops. There are 12 events with something for all ages and interests, including crime, fantasy, and family sagas, with authors including Niel Bushnell, Steve Skidmore, Carolyn Jess-Cooke, Valerie Laws, Nick Quantrill and Nick Triplow. Tickets: £3/£5, with a 3 for 2 saver available. For more details, see www.hartlepool.gov.uk/libraries or call 01429 272 905.

Mark Robinson: How I Learned to Sing Green Room, Green Dragon Studios, Trinity St, Stockton-on-Tees: Monday 10 June, 7pm Lit & Phil, Newcastle: Wednesday 12 June, 6pm Middlesbrough Literature Festival, Black Light Engine Room Cabaret, Python Gallery, Middlesbrough: Saturday 29 June, 7pm Mark will launch his first book in 15 years, How I Learned To Sing: New & Selected Poems, published by Smokestack Books, with a number of readings in June. How I Learned to Sing is, among other things, a book about the industrial and cultural transformation of the north of England, from the miners’ strikes to the Big Society – a series of bewildered elegies for people, times and places, variously tender, angry, surreal and grave. There’ll be poems read, chance to buy the book and catch up and maybe even a demonstration of how he learned to sing. Free events. For more details, see www.thinkingpractice.co.uk.

Luke Wright: Your New Favorite Poet ARC, Stockton: Wednesday 12 June, 7pm Expect thigh-slapping acerbic wordplay and bawdy bar room ballads as Wright introduces you to a cast of greedy politicians and boozy ne’er-do-wells. Meet Jeremy, the public schoolboy who draws penises on everything; kung fu fighting French copper Jean-Claude Gendarme; and witness the world’s first b-movie set in Brentwood. Support comes from Amanda Baker. Tickets: £5/£4. For more details, see www.arconline.co.uk.

Pink Lane Poetry and Performance The Jazz Café, Pink Lane, Newcastle: Thursday 13 June Open-mic poetry event. Tickets: £3. For more details visit www.pinklane.webs.com.

Wordquake presents the Bridlington Poetry Festival 2013 Sewerby Hall, Bridlington: Friday 14-Sunday 16 June Three packed days of poetry performances, workshops, talks and film screenings in the beautiful cliff-top setting of Sewerby Hall, two miles north of Bridlington. Now in its fourth year, Bridlington Poetry Festival welcomes poets from the East Riding of Yorkshire, from across the UK and around the world. This year’s 30 performers include Jackie Kay, Jo Shapcott, Don Paterson and Festival Patron Ian McMillan, and a Read regional event with Anna Woodford. Tickets from £10-£50. For more details, see www.bridlington-poetry-festival.com.

An Invitation to Celebrate Mystery, History & Murder Hexham Library, Queen’s Hall: Saturday 15 June, 1pm A trio of northern writers come together to lead you through the labyrinth of murder mystery making: Jane Finis, Rebecca Jenkins, and Dolores Gordon Smith. Tickets £5/£3 (including free entry to a prize draw for a trio of books). For more details and to book, call 01434 652477 or visit www.queenshall.co.uk.

Middlesbrough Literary Festival Middlesbrough Central Library: 15-29 June The fifth Middlesbrough Literary Festival returns with a variety of events for the entire family taking place at Middlesbrough Central Library throughout the day and a spectacular spoken word, music and comedy cabaret on the evening. Festival highlights include bestselling author Kathy Lette, radio and television legend Andy Kershaw and Middlesbrough-born playwright and Teesside University’s Master of Literature Wally K Daly. Get the full programme and booking details at www.middlesbroughlitfest.co.uk.

Mari Hannah & Rebecca Muddiman Central Library, Hartlepool: Wednesday 19 June, 7pm Join northern crime writers Mari Hannah and Rebecca Muddiman for a night of murder and mayhem as they discuss their latest novels Deadly Deceit and Stolen. Tickets: £1. For more information and to book, call 01429 272905.

Graham Hancock: War God Waterstones, Durham: Friday 21 June, 6.30pm As an exciting complement to his new novel War God, writer Graham Hancock will be sharing compelling new evidence of a long-lost civilisation destroyed at the end of the Ice Age, which will feature in a soon to be released sequel to his classic Fingerprints of the Gods. Free event. For more details, see www.waterstones.com.

Middlesbrough Literary Festival presents Moth Publishing Middlesbrough Central Reference Library: Friday 21 June, 7pm An evening of readings and career insights from Moth Publishing’s debut crime novelists: Rebecca Muddiman will be reading from her new novel, Stolen; Alfie Crow from Rant; and Helen Cadbury from To Catch a Rabbit. The authors’ panel will be followed by a live Q&A and book signing. For more details and ticketing information, visit www.middlesbroughlitfest.co.uk.

Daniel Bye: Story Hunt ARC, Stockton: Wednesday 26 June Story Hunt is a treasure hunt-meets-walking-tour of Stockton’s many presents, those that have been and those that are yet to come. Stroll through sights that can no longer be seen. Marvel at monuments that are yet to be raised. Tickets: Free. For more details, see www.arconline.co.uk.

ARCADE Scratch Night ARC, Stockton: Wednesday 26 June, 7.30pm ARCADE scratch nights promise to show the best in North East talent, as artists share their work in progress for your feedback. Each event features an eclectic mix of dance, drama and spoken word. Tickets: £3/Free to Arcade members. For more details, see www.arconline.co.uk.