Hello!
My name is Steph Roundsmith, and I am the reader in residence for Tees Valley Book Group.
I’m currently working as an editorial assistant for Myrmidon Books in Newcastle, I’m a children’s literary agent and also work as a freelance proofreader and copy-editor. Children’s books are my passion and I have my own reading and writing scheme for children called kidsreadwritereview, but I also love reading book group books – hence I’m writing this blog!
Tees Valley Book Group 
Hi Natalie,
First of all apologies for contacting you through your reading/writing site but keyed in your name from some old letters from you and your old classmates at your infant/junior school in Middlesbrough did for me when I left your school back in Feb 1987 when you were in Year 3 and I was your Teaching Assistant.
I am keen to know the name of the school as am applying for teaching posts in London after having a very chequered career!
My name then was Mrs Brighty and I sed to help you with Art and English. I still have your old letter amongst all your class of Year 3.
You have certainly made a good name for yourself as a journalist – well done!
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thanks
Ms Rose Bryan
PS What is roller derby??
Hi
its was St Thomas More’s in Easterside in Middlesbrough x
Hi, I’m trying to find out more information about the new reading group in Stockton. I was told it was starting at the Arc on January 30 but when I contacted them they denied all knowledge. Please help. Thanks
Hi jenny
there is indeed a new group at the Arc starting Saturday 30th January at 11am.
We have a blog and a facebook group…link up here
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=228339720621
Hope you can make it!
natalie
Hi Jenny,
I want to start a bookclub in Stockton. Please get in touch,
Write for Animation with Ian Fenton
Teesside University’s School of Arts & Media continues to deliver its series of high-profile workshops aimed at the region’s creative industries. The next of these is Writing for Animation – a one-day workshop which is being hosted by award-winning scriptwriter and director Ian Fenton.
Learn how to write animated screenplays from an award-winning scriptwriter & director:
In this highly practical workshop Ian will look at the skills required to write for animation compared to live action film. He’ll focus on the dynamics of developing an animation screenplay – how you go about writing a script for it, what the process is and how you create a ‘story bible’.
Getting feedback on your work and submitting your ideas to a producer:
Of course there’s more than just the creative process to consider when you’re developing work for an audience. For example, when you’ve written a script how do you get feedback on it – and how do you get your ideas to a producer? Through a mixture of lectures, screenings and practical exercises all of these questions will be answered as Ian examines the process of developing an animated screenplay.
Develop your writing skills and write for a number of platforms:
Writing for Animation will give writers the tools to prepare, structure and pre-visualise their own animated narratives and is ideal for anyone who is interested in developing their skills and knowledge as a writer for the web, mobile devices, television or cinema.
Subsidised price for North East based SME businesses, freelancers and sole traders:
The ECIF* subsidised Writing for Animation is priced at just £39.99 (usually £170.00) per person and takes place in Teesside University’s Phoenix Building from 9.30am – 4.30pm on Friday 25th June.
About Ian Fenton:
Ian Fenton is the director of nine short live action and animation films and a writer of over fifteen hours of drama for the BBC and ITV. Accolades include a BAFTA nomination in 2007 and Best Film awards from the San Francisco International Film Festival, British Short Film Festival and Royal Television Society. He is the founder of the region’s only conference for screenwriters The Story Engine which has been attracting high profile writers, directors and producers to the region for four years.
To book your place now please contact:
James McDermott on: 01642 738 089 or Email: samwfd@tees.ac.uk
*Teesside University has been awarded ECIF (Economic Challenge Investment Fund) funding to offer subsidised high level skills training to North East based-businesses. To qualify for this subsidy delegates must be working for or running a North East-based SME or operating as an officially registered freelancer or sole trader. Please call for eligibility information.
Hi Natalie,
On Wednesday 27 April Teesside University are hosting An Audience with Adele Parks – From Cinderella to bestseller. I would be very grateful if you could distribute the below information around your book group. Individual or group bookings can be made me emailing alumni.office@tees.ac.uk.
On Wednesday 27 April 2011, Teesside University are hosting An Audience with Adele Parks – From Cinderella to bestseller.
One and a half million copies of Adele’s books have been sold in the UK and she is translated into 25 different languages. Here she shares her journey to becoming a writer who constantly visits moral choices and dilemmas within her novels. Adele believes writing is a vocation, and looks honestly at her joys and frustrations, motivation, inspiration and discipline.
Refreshments are available from 6.00pm with the talk commencing at 6.30pm. For more information about the lecture and to book a place visit our website, http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/alumni/audience_with.cfm.
Thanks in advance,
Amy Temple
Events Assistant, Teesside University
I hope this is ok using this facility in this way but I am an Australian living in Sydney Australia and married to a man born in Teesside, I would like to see if you can help be with novels set in this area please for me to read as although I love Sydney I do actually miss Teesside incredibly (we moved back to AUS a couple of months ago)
Thank you all for your help
Michelle