New Writing North

Tony Harrison, poet and playwright, was born in Leeds and lives in Newcastle. His poem ‘Durham’, written in 1970, starts playfully: ‘Durham St Cuthbert’s Shrine, founded 999’ A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham is written by Ruth Robson and was commissioned as part of Durham Book Festival 2020

Folklore and legends are prevalent in writing in and about Durham. One such legend is that of the Dun Cow, part recorded by the 12th Century monk Symeon of Durham, and further recorded in The Rites of Durham in the mid-16th Century. A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham is written by Ruth Robson and was commissioned as part of Durham Book Festival 2020

Prebends’ Bridge, a much-loved landmark, was built in 1778. It replaced an earlier bridge washed away by the great flood of 1771, which caused much damage along the coast and inland water ways. The bridge famously has a quote from Sir Walter Scott’s epic poem ‘Harold the Dauntless’ (written in 1817) inscribed on a plaque on the north-west balustrade of the bridge.

Margery Lane Allotments occupy a space quarried to build Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral and, afterwards, the site of medieval fishponds. The cathedral and, on winter days with no leaves on the trees, the castle can be seen dominating the city skyline. A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham is written by Ruth Robson and was commissioned as part of Durham Book Festival 2020

The Colpitts Hotel was established around 1836 by John Colpitts. John died in 1891 and in 1892 it was bought by the Smith family of Tadcaster, Yorkshire, and continues as a Sam Smith pub. In 1975 its back room became the venue for a series of live poetry readings known as Colpitts Poetry. A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham is written by Ruth Robson and was commissioned as part of Durham Book Festival 2020

One November evening in 1869 a group of men met in the Market Tavern in Durham, looking to improve the lot of the working class after decades of hardship and struggle against Victorian coal owners. That meeting led to the creation of Redhills, known as the ‘Pitman’s Parliament’: home of the Durham Miners’ Association, which formed in 1869. A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham is written by Ruth Robson and was commissioned as part of Durham Book Festival 2020

The view to the south east of Framwellgate Bridge is dominated by Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral as they tower over the River Wear and the rest of the city. A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham is written by Ruth Robson and was commissioned as part of Durham Book Festival 2020

Welcome to A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham, part of Durham Book Festival, produced by New Writing North.The County and City of Durham have been much written about, being the birthplace, residence, and inspiration for many writers of both fact, fiction, and poetry. Before we delve into stories of scribes, poets, academia, prize-winning authors, political discourse, and folklore passed down through generations, we need to know why the city is here. A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham is written by Ruth Robson and was commissioned as part of Durham Book Festival 2020

Welcome to our audio series which explores the work created for the New Narratives for the North East project through a series of four podcast episodes. This episode looks forwards, refiguring the North-East's heritage, opening new ideas and exploring potential future narratives for the region as we look to the future. Hear from many of the writers involved in the project about the ideas that inspired their work and also their relationship with the region and regional identity. Through interview and extracts of their work as well as the varied sounds of the North East, many of the themes of the work come to the fore. Here we discuss what makes this part of England distinct and what its future might look like. The characters that emerge are not just those of the writers, but also that of the sea, or the Wall, or indeed the multi-faceted region itself. New Narratives for the North East is a New Writing North commission with the North East Cultural Partnership supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This seri

"They tell us that we live on a tiny crowded island. They try to tell us that we are tiny within ourselves. Tell them to come up here with the skylark, to forget what they think they know, and to look down upon the vastness of the North." David Almond, from Sing the North. Welcome to our audio series which explores the work created for the New Narratives for the North East project through a series of four podcast episodes. Join us in this episode to explore the North-East's distinctive urban spaces and explore how those on the inside read and think about our cities and towns Hear from many of the writers involved in the project about the ideas that inspired their work and also their relationship with the region and regional identity. Through interview and extracts of their work as well as the varied sounds of the North East, many of the themes of the work come to the fore. Here we discuss what makes this part of England distinct and what its future might look like. The characters that emerge are not just th

Welcome to our audio series which explores the work created for the New Narratives for the North East project through a series of four podcast episodes. Here in this episode we explore the North-East's relationship with its borders, of land and sea, and how being on this edge informs its character, communities and perspectives. Hear from many of the writers involved in the project about the ideas that inspired their work and also their relationship with the region and regional identity. Through interview and extracts of their work as well as the varied sounds of the North East, many of the themes of the work come to the fore. Here we discuss what makes this part of England distinct and what its future might look like. The characters that emerge are not just those of the writers, but also that of the sea, or the Wall, or indeed the multi-faceted region itself. New Narratives for the North East is a New Writing North commission with the North East Cultural Partnership supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"They tell us that we live on a tiny crowded island. They try to tell us that we are tiny within ourselves. Tell them to come up here with the skylark, to forget what they think they know, and to look down upon the vastness of the North." David Almond, from Sing the North. Welcome to our audio series which explores the work created for the New Narratives for the North East project through a series of four podcast episodes. Hear from many of the writers involved in the project about the ideas that inspired their work and also their relationship with the region and regional identity. Through interview and extracts of their work as well as the varied sounds of the North East, many of the themes of the work come to the fore. Here we discuss what makes this part of England distinct and what its future might look like. The characters that emerge are not just those of the writers, but also that of the sea, or the Wall, or indeed the multi-faceted region itself. New Narratives for the North East is a New Writing

In this specially recorded podcast, which forms part of Durham Book Festival's Writing Durham series, DBC Pierre will talk about a specially commissioned piece The Long Cascade, which is inspired by his family’s strong connection to Durham, as well as his latest novel Meanwhile in Dopamine City. DBC Pierre is in conversation with Lee Brackstone, White Rabbit Books.

Join the Durham Book Festival team, as they discuss some of the books they’ve loved reading in 2020. In this special podcast, Claire, Rebecca and Grace, share their highs and lows of reading in lockdown and highlight some of the new titles they are most looking forward to delving into this Autumn. Books mentioned in the podcast: How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang Pew by Catherine Lacey The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld Djinn Patrol on the Purlple Line by Deepa Anappara Humankind by Rutger Bregman Shadow State by Luke Harding Twilight of Democracy: The Failure of Politics and the Passing of Friends by Anne Applebaum Little Eyes by Samantha Schweblin Intimations by Zadie Smith The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado Xstabeth by David Keenan The Divers’ Game by Jesse Ball The Less Dead by Denise Mina The Searcher by Tana French Inside Story by Martin Amis Let’s Do It: the Authorise

Leading writers Stuart Maconie, Kit de Waal, Tony Walsh and Lisa McInerney consider what it means to be a working-class writer working in the publishing industry today “It’s the last great unspoken prejudice in British life, and that runs through everywhere – particularly some of the areas of the media I work in, like publishing and broadcasting” Stuart Maconie --- The Common People anthology brought together 16 leading working-class writers with 17 new unpublished working-class writers to create a picture of working-class life in Britain today. As part of the opportunity, the 17 new writers were also offered a 12-month professional development programme to support their entry into the publishing industry, working alongside mentors and England’s seven regional literature development agencies, with Unbound and Arts Council England. Now, to coincide with a new report by Professor Katy Shaw of Northumbria University, Common People: Breaking the Class Ceiling in UK Publishing, we are delighted to present

This New Writing North podcast was recorded at Durham Book Festival 2018. In this episode, palliative care specialist Kathryn Mannix talks to Professor Douglas Davies about her new book With the End in Mind, an exploration of one of the biggest taboos in our society and the only certainty we all share: death. They discuss how important it is to re-claim public understanding of death, and how it allows us to plan and relate to our dearest during the last part of our, or their, lives. Durham Book Festival is commissioned by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North. Find out more about the festival at durhambookfestival.com.

This New Writing North podcast was recorded at Durham Book Festival 2018. In this episode, award-winning author Sarah Perry introduces her new novel Melmoth, a chilling and deeply moving book that speaks urgently to our times. Sarah is in conversation with Professor Simon James of Durham University, and discusses her writing structure (or lack thereof), plans for her future books and how her upbringing has influenced her taste for the gothic. Durham Book Festival is commissioned by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North. Find out more about the festival at durhambookfestival.com.

Warning: contains content which some listeners may find upsetting. This New Writing North podcast was recorded at Durham Book Festival 2018. In this episode, one of the world's leading forensic anthropologists, Professor Dame Sue Black, introduces her new book All That Remains: A Life in Death. This gripping memoir provides a fascinating look at death – its causes, our attitudes towards it, and the forensic scientist's way of analysing it. Sue is in conversation with Claire Malcolm, Chief Executive of New Writing North. Durham Book Festival is commissioned by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North. Find out more about the festival at durhambookfestival.com.

This New Writing North podcast was recorded at Durham Book Festival 2018. In this episode Jordanian screenplay writer Mofleh Al Adwan and poet Linda France discuss their experiences taking part in the Alta'ir creative exchange. This cross-cultural exchange between Durham and Amman was established to help raise the profile of British writing in Jordan and of Arab writing and culture in the UK. Alta’ir is a partnership project between Durham Book Festival/New Writing North, the Council for British Research in the Levant (CBRL), St Mary’s College, Durham University, Dr Fadia Faqir and the British Council. Durham Book Festival is commissioned by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North. Find out more about the festival at durhambookfestival.com.

This New Writing North podcast was recorded at Durham Book Festival 2018. In this episode poet, author and playwright, Owen Sheers talks to Professor Stephen Regan about The Green Hollow, his moving and beautifully rendered film poem about the 1966 Aberfan mining disaster. The two discuss the way the disaster affected the community of Aberfan, and how it created a ‘radical culture of the betrayed.’ Durham Book Festival is commissioned by Durham County Council and produced by New Writing North. Find out more about the festival at durhambookfestival.com.