Magus Alan Moore

Transdisciplinary approaches to the work of Alan Moore.

The University of Northampton is pleased to announce the first international academic conference dedicated to appraising the work of perhaps the most influential figure to emerge from the comics medium, Northampton’s own Alan Moore.

Moore has consistently been at the forefront of the graphic novel medium for almost thirty years, being the iconic figure behind such pioneering works as Marvelman and V for Vendetta, the revolutionary Watchmen, to From Hell, Promethea, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and, most recently, Lost Girls to name but a few. Alongside his work in the comic medium he has written one novel, Voices from the Fire, and is subsequently working on the ambitious Jerusalem project. He has also worked as a graphic artist, performed and recorded a series of musical collaborations largely related to site-specific events, and in recent years has become a magician.

While Moore’s contribution to the comic medium is undisputed, academic appraisals of his work have been fragmentary and there have been no dedicated scholarly events to date that seek to give an overview of his oeuvre. As such The University of Northampton is pleased to announce Magus: Transdisciplinary Approaches to the Work of Alan Moore, an interdisciplinary conference that will bring together not only appraisals of Moore’s comic works, but also his wider cultural manifestations and their significance at the start of the 21st century. Given his burgeoning literary and cultural importance, Moore’s significant profile in the wake of several recent Hollywood adaptations of his work (despite his own antipathy towards those adaptations and their place within the culture industries), and the relationship to Northampton’s cultural landscape (both physical and psychic) that recurs throughout his work, both the time and location are fitting for a dedicated appraisal of his cultural legacy thus far.

For more information see:

http://www2.northampton.ac.uk/arts/home/AlanMoore

Writing Industries Conference 2010

Saturday 6th March 2010, Loughborough University
A Literature Network, Writing East Midlands
and Loughborough University project.
http://writingindustries.com
Twitter #wic2010

The Writing Industries Conference brings together writers from across the East Midlands and beyond with professionals from the writing industries to share knowledge, develop skills and make new contacts. The conference is open to anyone with an interest in writing, from unpublished writers who want to learn more to bestselling novelists.

The full programme for WIC 2010 is available online here:

http://writingindustries.com/programme/

A theme of this year’s conference are the many changes taking place in the writing industries. With new technologies from the internet to ebooks causing revolutinary change in commercial publishing, WIC 2010 discusses how writers are making the most of the opportunities that come with change. Following the tremendous success of Harry Potter, speakers inlcuding Bali Rai (The Crew, Unarranged Marriage) and Chris d’Lacey (Last Dragon Chronicles) talk about the fundamentals of writing for younger readers. With more writers than ever are making a living from poetry, Sarah Ellis of spoken word agency Apples & Snakes and a panel of working poets discuss how and why. And with Paranormal Romance such as Twilight and True Blood topping bestseller lists, Romance author Sue Moorcroft asks where next for one of the most traditional genres of fiction.

The Writing Industries Conference also explores the broad range of ways writers make a living, and the new areas opening up for talented writers. New interactive media and video games are now bigger business than Hollywood, Steve Ince (Author of ‘Writing for Video Games’) and Graham Joyce (Writer, Doom 4) talk about the place of writers in this new industry. With screenwriting among the most rewarding and competitive outlet for writers, Peter Leslie Wild (Senior Producer, BBC Radio) and Amanda Whittington (Playwright and Screenwriter) join the discussion on how writers sell scripts and get them produced. And Paul Munden (National Association of Writers in Education) joins professional poets from the region to talk about how writers work in the community.

Just a few of the other speakers at the Writing Industries Conference 2010 include Bernie Corbett (Writers Guild) Bella Pagan (Orbit Books), Alan Mahar (Tindal Street Press), Steve Dearden (National Association for Literature Development),Bea Udeh (Nottingham Playhouse producer and BRIT Regional Director), Mark Gwynne Jones (poet and performer) Nicola Monaghan (novelist) John Coster (Citizens Eye) Mark Charan Newton (Fantasy novelist) Mary Nichols (historical romance writer) and Julia Churchill (Greenhouse Literary Agency)

Also on offer are a limited number of 1-2-1 meetings with professional agents and editors representing a range of writing genres:

Lorella Belli (Lorella Belli Literary Agency)
Ollie Munson (Blake Friedmann, Literary TV and Film Agency)
Alan Mahar (Tindal Street Press)
Sarah Ellis (Apples and Snakes)
James Wills (Watson, Little Ltd)
John Berlyne (Zeno Agency Ltd)
Jane Finigan (Lutyens & Rubinstein Literary Agency)
Wayne Burrows (Staple Magazine)

Applications for 1-2-1 meeting close on Monday 8th February 2010.

Buy tickets for the Writing Industries Conference online here.

Find more information about applying for a 1-2-1 meeting here.

If you have any questions regarding WIC 2010 or would like further information please contact:

Alyson Stoneman
WIC2010 co-ordinator (part-time)
Email: wic2010eastmidlands@googlemail.com

States of Independence

Clephan Building, De Montfort University, Oxford Road, Leicester
10.30am – 4.30pm, Saturday 20th March.

Stalls from dozens of independent publishers. Workshops, readings and book launches.

Independent presses from across the region (and some from around the country) will be on site, together with many regional writers whose work is published by large and small independent publishers. Join us for an hour or two or the whole day.

Open to all and free of charge.

Full programme on www.statesofindependence.co.uk or from info@fiveleaves.co.uk

Printed programmes and posters available from info@fiveleaves.co.uk

Forty writers, mostly from the East Midlands, will be reading from their work at an events programme to accompany an equal number of independent publishers and writers’ organisations staffing bookstalls and displaying their work.

Authors include nationally known figures including children’s writers Berlie Doherty (twice winner of the Carnegie Award) and Chris D’Lacey, novelists Anthony Cartwright (Heartland, recently read on Book at Bedtime) and Rod Madocks (shortlisted for the ITV Crime and Thriller Awards) and poets Gregory Woods and Deborah Tyler-Bennett. We’ll also be providing a Leicester launch for Maria Allen’s first novel, launching the international poetry magazine Cleave and featuring talks on independent football magazines, the 1984 Miners’ Strike and well known phrases and sayings.

Independent press editors taking part include Iron Press’s Peter Mortimer on his “40 years before the mast” as a publisher, and Lynne Patrick from Crème de la Crime, probably the only female crime fiction publisher in the UK. Publishers, groups and magazines from the East and West Midlands and the North East in particular will be represented.

Organised by Five Leaves Publications in Nottingham and the Creative Writing Team at De Montfort University

EMPAF National Conference

Passion, Partnerships and Empowering People
EMPAF National Conference
Friday 16th October 2009 (Registration from 9am for 10am Start)
At QUAD, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS

Join us in this one day event exploring and celebrating partnership working. The conference features guest speakers David Cutler (The Baring Foundation), Eugène van Erven (Utrecht University / ICAF) and participants from community arts programmes. The day offers a range of opportunities to engage in lively discussion and participate in arts activities in the QUAD Gallery. A programme of workshops will cover a variety of issues including communicating across sectors, managing inherited relationships and archiving in the digital age.

Delegates Fees:
Organisations £50
Individuals £25

Pre Conference Social Event:
We are organising a pre conference social event for delegates. Taking place in the QUAD Gallery on the evening of 15th October, it’s an ideal opportunity to network in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy a drink and a meal. If you would like to join us, please include an additional payment of £15 (per person).

For more information please see:

www.empaf.co.uk

NALD Networking Day

NALD are holding their next big networking event at the Southbank Centre on
Thursday 16th July from 1pm – 6pm, which will cover themes of
internationalism, entrepreneurship and more.

This event will be programmed in amongst live literature readings and performances as part of the London Literature Festival 2009

Please make a note in your diary and check the NALD website for updates.

http://www.literaturedevelopment.co.uk/

Artists in Learning Trade Fair 2009

Tuesday 19th May 2009, 3.45-5.45pm, Kettering Conference Centre, Kettering, Northamptonshire. Attention all Creative Practitioners and Artists in Learning! Don’t miss this exciting & special opportunity to market your services to learning settings across Northamptonshire. This is your chance to meet and network with schools, local authority officers and others interested in booking you to work with children and young people on creative projects.

Cost: £10 per stall – includes a table, display board and listing in the trade stall brochure, refreshments.

All trade fair stall holders are invited to attend the Creative Expedition Conference, which takes place earlier in the day at the venue – 9.30-3.45pm. The conference is an opportunity to explore and share current creative learning practice & is designed for settings and practitioners who are either already involved in Creative Partnerships or interested in being involved in future. If you attend and pay for a place at the Creative Expedition conference, your stall at the trade fair will be free, conditions apply.

For more information and to book your place email: srichardson@northamptonshire.gov.uk or phone: 01604 233122. PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE A PLACE.

The Reader Conference

Dedicated to bringing about a Reading Revolution, The Reader Organisation is making it possible for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to enjoy and engage with literature on a deep and personal level. Our nationwide Read to Lead Training Programme aims to disseminate our ethos and practice throughout the country, promoting both professional and personal development.

9.30am – 4.30pm on Tuesday, 21st April 2009
Idea Store, 321 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BU
Book your place on our sought-after Read to Lead Workshop and see how you can get involved in our pioneering wellbeing project Get Into Reading.

This one day course, led by TRO Director, Jane Davis, and GIR Training Manager, Casi Dylan,
provides the opportunity to:

* Develop your understanding of The Reader Organisation and Get Into Reading (GIR)
* Take part in a GIR group to experience shared reading aloud
* Observe the principles of our work in action
* Learn specialised reading and group facilitation techniques
* Meet people from your part of the country who are interested in GIR
* Discuss strategies for developing GIR in your area
* Learn more about GIR accreditation and University of Liverpool’s MA in Reading in Practice

To book your place, and to find out about more training from The Reader Organisation, visit: www.thereader.org.uk/read-to-lead-training.html

Attention Creative Practitioners!

Following the success of the Artist in Learning Trade Fair 2008 and 2007, Northants Arts Development Team are pleased to announce the date of the Artists in Learning Trade Fair 2009 which will be held on Wednesday the 19th May. As with previous trade fairs, this years will tie into another event, the Creativity Conference, so there should be a large number of representatives from schools and learning settings in attendance, making the trade fair an excellent way to meet with new settings and promote your services. The venue and more details will be announced shortly, and we are expecting to charge a small fee of approximately £10 to cover hire of display boards. So please hold the date of the 19th May and contact Katy Afford on kafford@northamptonshire.gov.uk to register your interest.

NAWE Conference 2009

We are delighted to give advanced notice of the NAWE Conference 2009. Following two conferences in the north of England, we are now heading to Southampton. A call for contributions will be announced in the Spring. read more…

Routes And Pathways Into a Professional Playwriting Career

A one-day conference hosted by Script Yorkshire in partnership with Hull Truck Theatre and literaturetraining. read more…

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