The @thebeelitmag sat down for a chat with him about books, his writing and why he believes working-class talent is being denied a fair chance in the arts.

thebeemagazine.com/mark-gatiss-...

Gatiss is one of our best known writers and grew up in a working-class family in County Durham.

Thank you so much @newwritingnorth.bsky.social for my prize of #TheMercyStep to add to my tall and gloriously teetering #NorthernBookshelf TBR pile. I'm thrilled to win and can't wait to read it! The blurb has me totally hooked already ❤️👍

Situated in the heart of Newcastle, the centre will support writing and reading initiatives in the community as well as professional writers and publishing businesses across the region.

Correction to the above – Sairish Hussain will be at Newcastle City Library on 9 August. On 16 July, Len Pennie will join us at Jesmond Library 🙌

We interviewed Marcia to find out more about her experience becoming a full-time writer later in life and the therapeutic power of revisiting her childhood through storytelling. Read the full interview below! newwritingnorth.com/journal/the-...

The Mercy Step is the solo literary debut from former lawyer and politician Marcia Hutchinson. Inspired by Marcia's early childhood in Bradford, it is a sharply-witted and tender portrait of a young girl's refusal to be broken by family, faith and fear.

What's on?

3 Jul – Trevor Wood at Newton Aycliffe Library
5 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Consett Library
9 Jul – Eirinie Lapidaki at Jesmond Library
16 Jul – Sairish Hussain at Newcastle City Library

We need your help to continue being that invaluable first step for talented writers from the North. If you can - please join our circle of donors www.newwritingnorth.com/writers-for-writers

Mari received a Northern Writers' Award in 2010; this led to her getting signed by an agent and she has gone on to publish 16 novels.

Mari is also a New Writing North donor. At last night’s Northern Writers’ Awards ceremony, she launched our new #WritersForWriters fundraising campaign.

And that rounds out this year's #NorthernWritersAwards! Another huge congratulations to all the winners – you're all brilliant, and we know the future of literature in the North is safe in your hands. It's been a privilege to celebrate you tonight 💫

Princess Arinola Adegbite from Manchester wins the final Northern Debut Award for Poetry!

"I am very grateful and honoured. I wrote many of these poems during an unpredictable time, and this award has reminded me that anyone can make art and beauty out of their life."