Big break for Teesside writers

Teesside University graduates are benefiting from Arts Council funding for a Middlesbrough based independent publisher and literature development agency.

Ek Zuban Press has received £10,000 from Arts Council England to help with its Break Out project, which aims to help poets showcase their work and help young writers develop their work through a book planned for launch next summer.

Teesside University creative writing lecturers Bob Beagrie and Andy Willoughby, directors of Ek Zuban, are behing Project Break Out. Their aim is to recognise the difficulties faced by many gifted writers from the area in terms of promotion and developing an international profile.

Andy said. ‘With this grant we will be able to put on the most exciting acts from the spoken word scene in London alongside local talent. This support will help our talented writers get noticed in the capital as well as adding to the thriving literary scene across Teesside. It will help us continue our highly successful Electric Kool-Aid Cabaret nights in central Middlesbrough.’

Teesside University graduates involved in Project Break Out include Michael Edwards, Kelly Bradley and Julie Egdell, along with Chris Stewart who is currently on the MA Creative Writing.

Chris said: ‘I have been part of the region’s spoken word scene for a while; writing, publishing and performing at venues like Arc, The Basement and Coffee Beans Coffee Shop, but this will hopefully help us all to break through to another level.'

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More information about Ek Zuban