National Association for Literature Development

Wednesday 22 September 2010, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3GA

Whether you commission new work or are just thinking of doing so, this free event invites you to join colleagues and writers in a day of presentations and debates around the issue of commissioning: what does this term mean for producers and for writers and what could the field look like in the future? We will look at what has worked well, what we can learn from other arts, and new ways of working including new media. What do producers and writers look for and need to generate successful and satisfying new work?

The day will be hosted by Steve Dearden and Anne Caldwell, with keynote presentations from Lucy Macnab and Linda France.

Lucy Macnab’s work is about finding ways for people to tell their stories, about participation in literature, as a writer, reader or performer. Currently a Participation Producer at the Southbank Centre, she has brought young curators into the organization, developed an oral history collection and devised and delivered creative reading projects with the Poetry Library. Recent projects include Global Poetry System, an online map of where poetry can be found in our everyday lives.

Linda France currently lives close to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Her poetry collections, published by Bloodaxe Books, include The Simultaneous Dress (2002) and The Toast of the Kit Cat Club (2005), a biography in verse of the 18th century traveller and writer Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Linda also edited the acclaimed anthology Sixty Women Poets (Bloodaxe 1993). She has worked on a number of collaborations with visual artists and musicians and over 20 Public Art projects. She teaches Creative Writing at the University of Newcastle.

There is no fee but participants will be asked for a £10 contribution if they book a lunch.

To book your place email a.caldwell@nawe.co.uk or phone 07818 052108

The event is being promoted in partnership with NAWE, the National Association of Writer in Education, and the Arvon Foundation. It is part of the Free Word Festival. 

Friday 24 September 2010, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Sale Library, Sale Waterside, Manchester, M33 7ZF

The writer has arrived, the audience has arrived, now it is up to you to walk out there, bring the two together and make sure the whole evening starts well and ends with everyone happy. Recognise the situation? If so this day of practical exploration is for you. We will look at how you prepare and share tips and techniques for successful introducing, chairing and rounding off of events. If you want to try out and then share what you have learnt, we are offering an additional (and optional) half day session in central Manchester on November 17th. Both days will be hosted by Jo Bell and Steve Dearden.

Jo Bell is a poet, performer and producer of live literature. She is the Director of National Poetry Day, and this year is Glastonbury Festival's website poet in residence. She is committed to the 'demystification' of poetry and wants to see it enjoyed by a much wider audience than at present. Based in the NW of England, she works across the UK to promote and extend the reach of poetry. Steve Dearden is the Director of NALD, a freelance producer of projects and events and an Associate Producer of imove the cultural olympiad programme for Yorkshire. He chairs events regularly for many organisations including the Ilkley Literature Festival. www.stevedearden.com £50 for NALD members, £85 for non-members. Lunch provided.

To book your place email admin@nald.org  The event is being promoted in partnership with Jane Mathieson of Time to Read.

Our sister organisation NAWE, the National Association of Writers in Education and the Writers' Compass offer professional development for people working in education and with young people. Download a PDF of their programme.