A Jack Common Celebration
The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle: Tuesday 1 December, 7pm

Keith Armstrong introduces his new book about Jack Common, followed by a talk from Peter Common, commissioned poetry by Catherine Graham and music from Kiddar’s Luck folk group. Free event, no need to book.

Vane Women Press book launches
Darlington Arts Centre: Wednesday 2 December, 7.30pm
Vane Women Press presents its two latest publications: County Durham poet Sheila Binks will read from her first collection, One Hand Waving Free, and members of the Vane Women writing collective will read from Love in Vane , a new anthology of poems and stories on love in all its guises. Free entry and a free glass of wine. Call Darlington Arts Centre box office on 01325 486555 for tickets or email vane.women@ntlworld.com for more information.

Durham Palestine Educational Trust event
Fisher House, Ustinov College, Durham University: Wednesday 2 December, 7.30pm

Poets Keith Armstrong, Katrina Porteous, Paul Summers, Cynthia Fuller and William Martin, with musicians Gary Miller and Marie Little, perform their work in support of Palestinian education. Admission on the door: £4 (students £3). All proceeds go to the Durham Palestine Educational Trust.

An Evening with Martin Bell
ARC, Stockton on Tees: Thursday 3 December, 7.30pm

Former MP and BBC journalist Martin Bell has written a major new book, A Very British Revolution: The Expenses Scandal and How to Save Our Democracy, which is set to shake up British politics. It covers the MPs’ expenses scandal, the state of Parliament in general and the future of politics from his unique insider’s perspective. Tickets: £2. To book, call 01642 525199 or see www.arconline.co.uk. You can also get tickets from any Stockton borough library.

Factory Nights: Joplings, Sunderland
Joplings department store, Sunderland: Tuesday 8 December, 6.15pm
Factory Nights are special working sessions, where artists, filmmakers, photographers and writers can come together in an interesting building and be allowed a rare tour of the building to stimulate artistic work. As part of the event, writers Claire Lewis and Sarah Shaw will be reading at various locations in the store during the evening. The store manager will be leading a tour of the building at 6.15pm, covering places the public don’t usually see, like the attics, the roof and basements. All are welcome but places are extremely limited so booking is essential. For more information, see www.rednile.org.

An Evening with Martin Bell
Newcastle City Library and Arts Centre: Wednesday 9 December, 6pm
Martin will be discussing his new book A Very British Revolution: The Expenses Scandal and How to Save Our Democracy and hosting a questions and answers session. This is a free event. To book a ticket or for further information, please contact City Library and Arts Centre on 0191 561 8407 or ask at your local library.

Poetry for Palestine
The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle: Wednesday 9 December, 7.30pm

Local poets and musicians will perform their poems and songs in aid of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, including some Palestinian poetry in translation and Palestinian music. Compered by Keith Armstrong. Tickets £4 (£2 concs). Pay on the door or email alexsnowdonedu@hotmail.com to reserve a place.

Monica Sharp, Mike Edwards and Natalie Boxall
Centre North East, Middlesbrough: Friday 11 December, 7pm
Monica Sharp is a well-known and much loved figure on the writing scene in Teesside and will be reading from her new pamphlet from Mudfog. Plus prose from Mike Edwards and Natalie Boxall. Free event. Contact Pauline Plummer at pauline.sonnet@blueyonder.co.uk to book.


Deadline for the next newsletter
The next edition of The Listening Post covering January's literature events will be incorporated into the final NWN newsletter of the year, which will go out on 18 December. If you have events that you would like to submit for inclusion, you will need to send information by 14 December 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.

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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.