I'm a fail as a stand-up comedian, escaped prisoner & pheasant drama
Plus, film star writes about dragons, meet author Caroline James, Harrogate book fair changes venue and journalism threat in Ukraine
My dear wordsmiths,
Greetings from the Lancashire countryside where the sunsets are just getting more spectacular and Mr Pheasant has landed in a spot of bother. It’s quite possibly self inflicted by squeezing through a bush rather than using his wings to fly, but he has quite a bad limp, and generally spotted scratching around the houses for food and looking for gaps in the hedge. Bless his cotton socks. I just hope he hasn’t been clipped by a car. Not that this is writing related - but he does exude main character energy.
If you are new here, hello, and please subscribe to my oversharing, hopefully useful, writing and journalism bloggy newsletter if not already. I’m Nicola and I’m a journalism leader, writer and radio presenter in the north of England.
Journalism world
It’s been a busy week in journalism leadership world this week, with approximately one million meetings (around 50 per cent of which could have been an email) and lots of exciting work on projects behind the scenes that I can’t share just yet. The world of journalism politics is particularly feisty right now but I have learned to step carefully with my thoughts and opinions - let’s just say I have them and leave it there. Over the years I have learned my over sharing, honest, personality is not always appreciated everywhere and I’m fine with that. I’m always kind while leading and that is what’s important.
I’ve also been sharing journalistic wisdom (hopefully helpful) to businesses including Lancashire tech businesses hosted by ITPR and the NatWest group at their annual away day. I think I may have judged my crowd wrong with my pun about branch closures but I think they have forgiven me.. (they have). I now know what it’s like to be a stand up comedian (failed.) You can’t knock my ambition.
Fave true story of the week
My favourite (true) story of the week - largely because it is giving plot of novel or a film vibes is this, shared here by the Lancashire Post. Incredible scenes as a prisoner, being transported by a secure van up the motorway on his way to court, faked a medical episode then overpowered officers and escaped - causing mayhem as police search for him. As I write, they are still looking… you couldn’t make it up ( well you could but you don’t need to.)
News, events and opportunities
Michael Sheen writes about dragons, via The BBC
Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has written a new children's book to get the next generation talking about homelessness. Sheen is launching A Home For Spark The Dragon, which tells the story of a dragon who loses his home and then goes on a quest to find a new one. He said he hoped it would help children to start thinking about ways they could make a difference in future. "I've always believed that telling stories is an important way to make change in the world - and in the long run, stories for children can make the most change of all," said Sheen. Written by my former colleague Angela Ferguson for BBC News and linked in full in the headline. Thanks Angela!
Author Caroline James at What’s Your Story, Chorley? annual festival of words
More than 30 authors, storytellers, poets, actors and musicians take part in this annual free event. Caroline James will be at Chorley Theatre Bar at 11am on Saturday March 29 and she hopes to inspire you to get writing. This is a great event and I’ve taken part in it myself in previous years.
Harrogate Book Fair (Starts tomorrow!)
The next book fair hosted by Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association -snappy name - is Harrogate on Fri 21 & Sat 22 March. There is a new venue which is the The Old Swan Hotel, Swan Road, Harrogate HG1 2SR - more specifically the garden room. If that all sounds familiar it’s because the venue is used for the Theakston's Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. It is also the chosen destination for the Queen of Crime herself. When Agatha Christie's disappearance sparked a nationwide search, she was finally tracked down to this beautiful Harrogate hotel. PBFA book dealers will be travelling from all over the UK to display and sell their wide range of rare books, specialising in both fiction and non-fiction.
Local newspapers are a lifeline in Ukraine but.. (via The Conversation)
Great read from the Conversation discussing the threat to independent journalism in Ukraine: ‘Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, 40% of Ukrainian media outlets have been forced to close down.’ Read full article in link.
Team, I’ve run out of time. Thanking you if you read this far, it’s always a pleasure. See you next week - please like and subscribe and sending hugs to those who have supported me with a paid subscription. Thankyou! Nx
You can also read:
Murderous thoughts in the spa and what I'm reading now
I've never seen this in the industry before
or..
