North East introduction

The Region
The region has a strong tradition of independent poetry publishing, from presses such as Bloodaxe, Diamond Twig, Mudfog, Red Squirrel and Zebra Publishing. Thanks to the passionate efforts of local poets and promoters, we also now have a thriving scene for spoken word performance in a range of wonderful venues.

You can expect Apples and Snakes in the North East to:
•    Be available for one-to-one advice and guidance sessions about your own practice and aspirations as a poet.
•    Be a link point for information about poetry events, publicising them via my facebook profile and through a monthly e-newsletter called the Snakebasket.
•    Be regularly in attendance at spoken word events throughout the region.
•    Curate at least two Articulate spoken word events at the Arc per year.
•    Run projects and events designed to respond the needs of poets by improving their professional skills, providing progression routes and performance opportunities – current activities include Scratch Tyne, Scratch Tees and an ongoing Audio Visual Portfolio project (see page 13).
•    Support established spoken word promoters to programme performances from poets outside the region.
•    Contribute to the delivery of Apples and Snakes national projects, currently ‘Shake the Dust’ national youth slam.
•    Seek opportunities for North East poets to gain work in educational and festival settings.

Kirsten Luckins
Programme Cooordinator for the North East Region.