What am I really doing????

Can I stress at this point that I'm Writer in Residence at the Lit and Phil because its an honourable position and will hopefully further my career. Let's get that out the way first.

Now, I'm also in this post because I feel passionate and enthusiastic about literature in the North East and what I can do to add to it. Far too often I've been to events or projects where things take place because of who you know not what you know. Far too often commissions, invitations and commendations have gone to friends and associates not because their work is the best quality but because they are friends and associates.

So now that I'm in a position like this one at the Lit and Phil, I'm not going to spend my time and energy making sure my friends and associates get in on the action ( of course friends, family and associates support me by all means). But I'm going to make sure that this small egotisical literary world is opened up a touch for others, those left out of the crowd, to get a look in and a chance to share their work.

The whole research project for my residency is aimed at exposing those hidden voices, those stories from the past that demonstrate the North East's involvement in the trade and abolition of slavery. This is the main idea surrounding the National Poetry Day event on Thursday 5 October (7.30, wine, books and good poetry). Let's open up the doors and listen to new voices. I see my role at the Lit and Phil as to inspire, enthuse, inform, demonstrate and listen.

I'm using myself as an example of, 'Look here, this is what I am doing. You can do it too.' And I'm not kidding myself that I'm going to change the world, that I'll change this fair city's literary corners forever, but I could, like you too could, get someone new to take notice and listen.