INTRO

Steve Dearden

Welcome to a special edition of PUSH to share and celebrate some of the work coming out of projects the Squad has been involved in.

The first our own, instead of contributing to a scheme to offset our carbon footprint, for The Climate and Me we commissioned two Squad writers to respond creatively to the climate emergency. Billie Collins chose to do so with Twine and alternative narratives, Louise Page by embroidering the graphic novel.

Rewrite came from the relationship Manchester Literature Festival had with Ordkraft in Aalborg and Literature Exchange in Aarhus, Denmark. The writers spent time in each city, socially and in workshops. The main aim was long term and to give the writers experience of each others’ practice rather than create new work, but we’re delighted to be able to share pieces that came out of, or were inspired by the Rewrite process. Look forward to a wonderful mix of observation and playfulness, especially around language. We hope you enjoy the work by Asta Birkler, Elizabeth Gibson, Johanne Bisgaard, Loc-An The Nguyen and Tallulah Howarth.

I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell offered three Squad writers the opportunity to respond to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in south Manchester. After spending time in the rooms looking at the collection, talking to volunteers and visitors, Georgia Affonso, Guruleen Kahlo and Princess Arinola Adegbite wrote pieces that were turned into a exhibition, currently touring Greater Manchester libraries and a book available in the house shop. All this in celebration of ten years since the restoration of Elizabeth Haskell House.

We hope you enjoy the results and big thanks to everyone who made these projects possible.

Steve Dearden

Director, The Writing Squad