- Spring
I publicised the launch of the Hannah Frank Poetry Competition for which we secured the support of the Children's Laureate. There's talk of a possible publication project linked to this competition later in the year...
A dream job came my way when I edited text for a booklet about the Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey. A total of 50 Enfield motorcyclists plus support crew and group leaders do this amazing bike trip on some of the world's most challenging roads each year. I've seen the proofs of the booklet; it looks fantastic. I loved working with my good friend, motorcycling writer, Gordon G May.
Lancaster band Heroes of She made it through two demanding stages of Live & Unsigned 2010, the UK's biggest competition of its kind. I wrote and distributed press releases surrounding that. The final is at London's O2 Arena.
Lancaster Cohousing Ltd asked me to publicise its proposed sustainable housing project in the Lune Valley. The group is brimming with bright, talented people but needed someone with press and media know-how to ensure that the group's news, aims and message reached the right audience - in the right way.
- Summer
Heroes of She played the O2 Arena in July in a bid to win a recording contract and the opportunity to perform around 100 gigs across the country. Although they did not win the overall competition a number of judges and music industry people were very positive about the band and its unique image.
I mostly worked on PR for the Hannah Frank Poetry Competition which received around 550 entries from across the UK and from abroad. This is a fantastic result for a first-time competition. I did lots of publicity, writing and editing around that. The prize-giving was at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow.
- Autumn
Prestigious arts organisation Litfest asked me to research targets and distribute a press release concerning an illustration competition for the Mythic Coastline Competition. The person who wins the commission to illustrate this book about the coastline of Cleveleys will be awarded £8,000 so I had to find as many illustrators and art organisations as I could and get the message out there. Litfest is a fabulous resource and platform for North West writers.
I wrote and distributed the press release for the annual Pet 'Pawtrait' Competiton for flynnthedog. This took place on 2 October and all proceeds went to Lancaster-based charity, Animal Care.
My latest task has been to write features for the upcoming new flynnthedog website. I wrote about cats and kittens, small animal care and dogs of all ages as well as wildlife. My aim was to produce informative, upbeat articles that encourage people to explore the site.
- Winter
The flynnthedog website is now complete. It's a lively, easy to navigate site packed with info on how to care for your pets and wildlife, short blogs, and a link to the flynnthedog Facebook group. The site hosts a superb online shop that sells everything from high quality dog and cat food to food for swans, truffles for dogs, and everything you could imagine for fish, small animals, birds....