Life as a journalist lately: I met a Spice Girl and it was slightly disappointing
Plus, my Ukrainian encounter, Booky Nook & Journalism News including the Google-sponsored Journalism Leadership & Innovation course scholarships
My dear wordsmiths,
Apologies for last week’s vanishing act. It’s actually the first time I’ve missed a Write Reject Repeat but, my friends, it may not be the last. A combination of factors plus illness can be held responsible for last week. It would make me feel much better if you subscribe..
A Ukrainian TV crew
But what a week. It began with an unexpected evening spent with a Ukrainian TV station crew - eight of them - which was a real eye opener. It’s a long story but I was invited round to my Ukrainian neighbour’s house to meet them. You can imagine the language difficulties but I met the station director, a news host (she is former BBC Ukraine), several cameramen and what they called entertainment staff but were actually the host & colleagues of the Ukrainian version of X Factor. It was only five minutes before the guitars came out and the singing began - none of them had heard of Oasis but could definitely out perform them!
The TV station - the name roughly translates as 1Zahid - is based in Lviv (my neighbour’s home town where her mum lives), just across the Polish border, and which since my meeting with the crew and their return has been heavily bombed by the Russians. Seven people were killed. My thoughts are with my new friends. The news cycle may have moved on but sadly the war has not.
Scary Spice
Also keeping me busy was the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On. I don’t get out much - and was still feeling unwell so left pretty early - but went behind the scenes in my acrylic blue sweaty press vest and met Spice Girl Mel B, who was on switch-on duty, plus a few featured stars including the lovely Kimberley Wyatt of Pussycat Doll fame and newly baked star, winner of Britain’s Got Talent Sydnie Christmas.
The latter two were lovely to talk to but Mel B’s management would not allow her to be interviewed by local press. Yes, she posed but refused to talk to the reporter from Blackpool Gazette at the Blackpool Light’s Switch On - very poor in my humble opinion. Although, to qualify, it apparently wasn’t the decision of Mel herself who spent her time with big camera crews and a little girl plucked out of the crowd who had the best night of her life. Here’s the video (shortened version) And in case you are wondering, Mel’s last job before she became a Spice Girl was as dancer at Blackpool - she lived there for three years. And she asked to switch on the lights, apparently.
The Shire
Latest breaking from the back of beyond, Lancashire, is that a heron turned up after recent weather made it mistake our lawn for a lake. The moles seem to have evacuated, hopefully for winter, and my friend next door is on hunt for her strawberry nibblers. It’s all happening in the countryside. Not least as we fear we have a wasp nest on the front of the house, which makes entering and exiting somewhat perilous.
Writing
What writing? If you have any tips on how to get myself back in the zone, all welcome.
Booky nook
Latest news, releases, events and opportunities
You can still listen to the Booky Podcast via your favourite provider. The podcast features authors including Milly Johnson, Sarah Pinborough, Will Carver, Danielle Owen-Jones, Dorothy Koomson and more.
Multi-million book selling Peter James is set to release the 20th instalment of the hugely successful Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series in hardback on September 24. One of us is dead sees Grace see a familiar face at a funeral. The only thing is - he attended this particular friend’s funeral two years previously.
Book publishers are suing the US state of Florida over a law that allows schools to ban books from their libraries. Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster are amongst those arguing Florida’s law violates First Amendment rights to free speech and creates "a regime of strict censorship" in schools. Works removed from libraries include author Maya Angelou & Ernest Hemingway. Florida officials called the lawsuit a “stunt”. Stephen King eloquently added: “Florida has banned 23 pf [sic] my books. What the f***?”
The Jane Austen Festival takes place in Bath from September 13 to 22.
Expect a 10-day long immersive experience including Regency-era dress, guided walks, lavish balls and theatre shows.
Author, charity fundraiser and challenge enthusiast Rob Starr releases a thriller about love, fraud, secrets and murder The First Widow on August 29. Rob has created a thriller about a fraud investigator who witnesses the most horrifying case of her career. Kiara Fox starts digging into a case file that doesn’t seem right. When she can’t find the file, she can’t shake the feeling that something sinister is at play.
Breakthrough scholarship for fantasy writers with low income: Sunday September 22 is the closing date for this award. The course itself takes place from October 8 to December 6, 2024. If you have the desire to write, a great idea for a work of speculative fiction and a compelling voice – and if you’re without the financial means to attend a Curtis Brown Creative course - this scholarship opportunity could be for you.
Journalism (& PR)
News, events & opportunities
The University of Central Lancashire JILeaders (Journalism Innovation and Leadership) 2025: Recruitment has opened for this amazing post-grad course of which I am a graduate. I was able to do this via a Google scholarship and you too may apply for the funding. It’s aimed at journalism innovators and leaders. Further information can be found here via Linked In: https://lnkd.in/dzycJmGF and this is 2025 Flyer (https://lnkd.in/d2n7ETVg). How to secure your place - which also includes registration links to the Q&A sessions (https://lnkd.in/dxbpJ9Mr) & FAQs (https://lnkd.in/dk2zhppC) Scholarships information (https://lnkd.in/d5sd7gCV) Feel free to email JILeaders@uclan.ac.uk for further information. Or you can ask me anything!
PR training by Taylor Bennett Foundation: This eight-week scheme offers training, employment support, and masterclasses, paid at the National Minimum Wage, with additional travel support. Open to graduates of Black, Asian and/or minority ethnic backgrounds - the deadline is September 13.
Women In Journalism Resilience Masterclass: Join journalist turned life coach, Rosie Nixon as she guides you through our resilience series session on discovering your transferable skills.
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