The Reading Revolution
Urban Cafe, Dance City: Monday 2 November, 7pm
Jane Davis from Liverpool-based organisation The Reader discusses the theory that reading poetry is good for our minds and could cure neurological dysfunctions. For more information, see www.cafeculturenortheast.org.uk.

Exploding Popcorn featuring Kate Fox, Bob Beagrie and Scott Tyrrell
Live Theatre: Tuesday 3 November, 6.30pm
Special event to celebrate the Poetry on the Metro project, in which young people from NewcastleGateshead wrote poems on the theme of 'my city', which were then displayed on The Metro. The project now culminates in a special event in which the young writers share their work, hosted by performance poet Kate Fox who, along with poets Scott Tyrrell and Bob Beagrie, will perform their own specially commissioned 'my city' poems. Tickets available from the Live Theatre box office on 0191 232 1232 or go to www.live.org.uk . For more information about cultural events for children and young people, see www.juicefestival.co.uk.

Not a Muse book launch
Gallery North, Northumbria University: Wednesday 4 November, 6pm
Celebrate the publication of this anthology, with performances from poets Adele Geraghty, Joan Hewitt, and Vivien Jones. Free event. For more information, contact joan.hewitt@northumbria.ac.uk or phone 0191 227 3785.

RSC Tyneside Stories project
Live Theatre: 6 & 7 November, 7.30pm
Dick Curran and fellow writers explore the diverse voices and landscapes of Newcastle. The writers will also produce a short play based on their own experiences of the city to be performed at Live. Tickets: £5. To book, call 0191 232 1232 or go to www.live.org.uk.

Apples and Snakes present Beyond Words
Saville Exchange, North Shields: Saturday 7 November, 7.30pm
South African campaigner and Laureate Keorapetse Kgositsile brings together five of the most talented South African poets for an event celebrating the art of live performance and featuring some of the most exciting newcomers in South African poetry. Tickets: £8/ £6 (concs). For tickets, contact the box office on 0191 643 7093.

Maureen Almond: Chasing the Ivy book launch
Lit & Phil: Wednesday 11 November, 7pm
Join Maureen Almond as she celebrates the pubilcation of her sixth poetry collection. Free event (includes a glass of wine and nibbles). For more information, contact the Lit & Phil on 0191 232 0192.

EVENT POSTPONED: Claire Lewis & Mark Magrs: A Sick Work of Art and Looking for Atlantis
book launch
Gallery North, Northumbria University: Thursday 12 November, 7.30pm
New Writing North presents an event to launch Claire Lewis's novel, A Sick Work of Art, and Mark Magrs new book for children, Looking for Atlantis. Claire's novel is a contemporary literary thriller set in the visual arts world of the North East. Mark's new book is about a young boy who wants to change the world. Both writers won Northern Writers' Awards in 2008: come along and find out how they brought their books to fruition. Admission free, but please book in advance at booking@newwritingnorth.com.

Disability and Bioethics: Stand-off or Dialogue
Urban Cafe, Dance City: Monday 16 November, 7pm
In her latest book, Disability Bioethics: Moral Bodies, Moral Difference, Jackie Leach Scully tackles the debate surrounding bioethics and disability. The discussion will focus on the author's campaign for a better dialogue between bioethics and disability. For more information, see www.cafeculturenortheast.org.uk.

Gliterary Lunches with Margaret Drabble and Tracy Chevalier
Northern Counties Club, Newcastle: Thursday 19 November, 12pm
Gliterary Lunches allows women who love socialising and literature to get together and enjoy a relaxed afternoon of poetry and good company. The events usually begin with a champagne reception and a three-course lunch, perfect for group bookings or individuals eager to make new friends. Tickets: £50, VIP tables available. For details and bookings, contact Sibh and Beth at 01423 873116 or visit www.gliterarylunches.com.

A Shetland Evening with Ann Cleeves and Chris Stout
Gateshead Heritage at St Mary's: Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm
Popular author Ann Cleeves reads from her collection of crime novels, accompanied by folk violinist Chris Stout. A wonderful night of readings and music celebrating the magical mood of the Shetland Isles. Tickets: £5. To book, call the box office on 0191 433 4699.

North East Haiku Workshop
Morden Tower: Sunday 22 November, 1.30pm
An informal and friendly three-hour workshop where you can improve your knowledge and practise your skills at haiku writing. All levels are welcome to attend this November-themed event. For more details, contact Chris at chrisphil79@hotmail.com or on 0191 421 6694.

Fresh voices with Kathleen Kenny
Northern Poetry Library, Morpeth Library: Thursday 26 November, 7.30pm
Red Squirrel Press presents Kathleen Kenny's latest collection, Keening with Spittal Tongues, in which she continues to address the complexities of family life, drawing on her own relationship with her mother. For more information and ticket prices, contact Pat Hallam at pat.hallam@northumberland.gov.uk.

Seven Stories: November events
As ever, Seven Stories has a variety of exciting events aimed at kids for November. This month, unsurprisingly, Halloween plays a large part in their line-up so visit www.sevenstories.org.uk for further details on all events or contact 0845 271 0777.

Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts autumn 2009 programme
The Newcastle for the Literary Arts opened to great fanfare in October, and has authors such as Carol Ann Duffy, Cynthia Fuller and Ruth Padel coming in November. For more details on all events, performers and bookings, see www.ncl.ac.uk/ncla.

The New Creatives
The Mining Institute, Westgate Rd, Newcastle: meets Mondays, 6pm-8pm
Led by Amy Mackleden, this creative group will meet every Monday to discuss and write on various subjects. For more information, contact SRobinson@litandphil.org.uk.


Deadline for the next newsletter
The next edition of The Listening Post covering December's literature events will go out in late November. If you have events that you would like to submit for inclusion, you will need to send information by 20 November to olivia@newwritingnorth.com. The Listening Post is North East-specific, but from time to time may also highlight interesting writing events nationally. Promoters should also note that they can also submit information on events happening in the Tees Valley area directly to the Lit-Tees website.

*********
While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this newsletter is correct at the time of going to press, things do change, frequently at the last minute and very often without our knowledge.