Call for True Stories (Paid) for Podcast

Stories at the Storey is proud to announce the beginning of a new adventure! We are calling on writers from all across the community to submit their true stories to us for the exciting opportunity to be featured in the pilot episode of our new podcast. We are looking to establish the same intimacy, warmth and passion present in any good storytelling that comes from the heart. Submissions can be on any theme; the only conditions are that they must be your story to tell and they must be creative non-fiction. For further guidance on what creative non-fiction might look like, The New Yorker, Brevity, The Real Story, and Creative Nonfiction have good examples.

Submissions should be approximately 750 words (3-5 sides of A4) so that if your work is selected, it can be read aloud in a five-minute time slot. Please specify with your submission whether you would be happy to read your story should you be selected, or if you would prefer one of our team to read it for you. It would also be a great help if you could tell us how you found out about NWLA.

If you are selected, we are aiming to hold an informal two-hour recording event in the near future in order for all the stories to be read aloud and recorded; there will be compensation in the form of £20 for your time and effort, including for those who may not be able to attend the live recording of their work. We will contact the selected writers on an individual basis to confirm these details nearer the time.

Even if you are not selected this time, we ask you not to be disheartened as we will be making more podcast episodes in the future and we only have a limited number of slots available. You will receive feedback on your submission regardless of whether it is selected or not. We will also be following up every submission with the option of being added to a mailing list for future opportunities if and when they arise, so keep an eye out for this.

Most importantly, we aim to publish as many voices and stories as possible. We are an inclusive podcast. Our mission is to increase representation across age, gender, sexuality, religion, class, region, ethnicity, nationality, ability, and more. With this in mind, we would like for you to tell us a little bit about how you identify yourself when you submit, in order to help us reach our aims of diversified content.

We hope that this information enables everyone to feel comfortable expressing themselves and representing their stories however they wish. We are thrilled to be able to work side by side with the community in this endeavour and are looking forward to hearing from you. Happy writing!

Submissions to be emailed to: northwestliteraryarts@gmail.com

Deadline for submissions or expressions of interest: 18^th February 2019

Podcast launch event: Week of 18^th March, 2019

Remembered: Lancaster Launch

Over the past five years I have organized book launches, readings, writing panels, open mic nights, writing workshops, interviews, and creative experiences in between. Now, I'm planning my own launch event and I don't think I could be more excited!

We are launching Remembered on February 1 at Waterstones King Street in Lancaster. The date means a lot to me. A few years ago, my friend Naomi and I launched North West Literary Salon. The salon was a monthly literary experience featuring writers from across (usually) the North West. The writers read from their work, shared their writing paths, and answered our questions. We had musicians and food and the atmosphere was warm and engaging. It was a welcoming event. I absolutely loved the salons and miss them tremendously.

The launch is an opportunity for me to thank Waterstones, Lancaster, and audiences past, present, and future for supporting my events and creativity. It's a thank you for sharing their time and space and for making me feel welcomed. I couldn't think of a better place to launch my book.

The event is free. There will be food and I'm hoping music. I haven't sorted out the food yet but have reserved a table at The Crypt in Lancaster. I'm hoping you'll join me there (drinks not included). I'm told by the time we arrive, they will know how to make Raspberry Martinis. 

I'm looking forward to introducing you to my characters and their world, to hearing and answering your questions, and to celebrating with you. Please order your free ticket via Eventbrite (I love numbers) and if you're so inclined, feel free to pre-order the book here or here. Although the book comes out February 7, Waterstones King Street will have copies on the 1st. 

Thanks for everything and looking forward to seeing you there!

Call for True Stories, November's Stories at the Storey

Myths shape, define, and sometimes confine us. Some are absorbed by others; some disappear from memory or seem to, while others transcend time, geography and language.

Myths are all around us. Their plots underpin our origins, our stories. They shape how we view ourselves and the world around us. They travel with us, through us, in spite of us. Through myths we learn and tell our own stories. We also learn through mistakes: the ones we make and the ones others make.

This month Stories at the Storey’s celebrates with two themes: myths and mistakes (both loosely interpreted). We’re looking for stories about mythical beings, events, places, things, origins and endings.  We're also looking for stories about mistakes you have made or been impacted by, mistakes you've learned from, and even mistakes you make time and time again. 

The themes are open to your interpretation. 

What am I writing about? I'm not sure. I'm fascinated with origin stories and the ways we invent and reinvent ourselves I may write about that. What are you writing?

If you have a true story to share, email (storiesatthestorey@gmail.com) to sign up for your 3-5-minute (2-4 pages A4) open-mic slot.

Not sure you're ready to read your true story? That’s fine too. Come by and listen. If you would like to share a story but want us to offer some feedback, get in touch. We can help you get your story ready.

When: Thursday, November 29, 7-8 PM

Where: Printroom Café, Lancaster

Sponsored by Graduate College, Stories at the Storey is a pay what you decide event. Readers are not asked to or expected to pay. Order free tickets via Eventbrite.

Day 31 of 31 Days of Prose: Everything to Play Part II

The final segment of the story and of my project 31 Days of Prose. I hope you've enjoyed listening as much as I have enjoyed reading and sharing the pieces.

Please feel free to post your own readings any time of the year (especially for your birthday) and let me know. I'm looking forward to hearing your writing brought to life.

Thank you for helping me celebrate!

Day 30 of 31 Days of Prose: Everything to Play Part I

Part one of a short story written as part of Manchester's First Draft, the piece was commissioned and read as part of a project responding to archives in the Manchester Jewish Museum. 

Day 29 of 31 Days of Prose: The Power of Food

I wrote this piece to read at Stories at the Storey. The piece loosely interprets the theme "food" and explores my relationship with the acquiring,- if not the eating- of food.

Day 28 of 31 Days of Prose: Speaking Me

This is a reading of a creative nonfiction personal essay I wrote for Stories at the Storey. The piece loosely interprets the theme "light". I read the piece there and recorded it as part of 31 Days of Prose.