ONLINE

Moving Manchester Commission
I was commissioned by The Centre for Transcultural Writing & Research at Lancaster University to write a series of portraiture poems and take photographic portraits looking at the experience of migration into Manchester from overseas. The poems & photos are now online.

Guardian Poetry Workshop
My Guardian workshop - if you'd like a writing prompt, take a look.

Commissions

John frequently gets commissioned to create pieces of work as part of projects, as evaluations and as works of art. John has created pieces for BBC Radio, Arts Council of England, Blackpool Council, York Minster, Irwell Sculpture Trail, The Lowry and many others.

He has recently created poems as part of the regeneration of the seaside town of Blackpool, and he has written a number of pieces looking at the ideas of 'The Imagined City and Migration,' for Lancaster University.

He is currently writing pieces for Alchemy on 'Peace and Marriage', for The City of Canturbury as a piece of public art, anda series of pieces for Manchester Art Galleries.

Workshops

John runs writing workshops for both young people and adults. Work with young people is described in the education section of this site. He is a regular tutor at Arvon, and has worked as a visiting lecturer at universities in the UK, Europe, and USA.

He has led workshops for the British Council and many festivals, arts organisations, and private companies. John has also held many residencies during his career.

Forthcoming:

Think Like A Poet
10.30 - 12.30 Hebden Bridge Library 11 July
Exploring and developing your poetic imagination.


Thinking Like A Poet (Poetry School Workshops)
How do we move towards poetic thought? How is it different from everyday thinking? In this highly practical course we will look at many types of poetry from formal to open forms. We will use them as jumping off points as we explore how we can develop our writing and reading lives, so that we deepen our poetic practice. We will write, read, discuss and create while enjoying each other’s company in the beautiful setting and countryside of Hebden Bridge.

Sept 25, Oct 30, Nov 27, 10am – 4pm
Open to all levels of writer
Venue: Hole int’ Wall, Hangingroyd Lane,
Hebden Bridge, HX& 7DD

Manchester Art Gallery, 16/17 Oct
Using the art in the gallery to lead us into creating new poetic works.