Raised by Writers: The Stories That Made Us Who We Are – Details, episodes & analysis

EPISODE 3 

In this episode we meet acclaimed author and screenwriter Catherine Johnson. She's a winner of a host of literary awards and has produced classics such as Race to the Frozen North, Queen of Freedom and Sawbones. Her next book will focus on the life of the actor, dance and SPY Josephine Baker - so she is no stranger to drama, literary twists and bringing great stories of history to life.

Catherine talks with fondness of her reading experiences at primary school, with some inspirational teachers and recounts how non-fiction and TV has influenced her writing as well the wonderful tales she found in stories. .

Kirsten Grant from EmpathyLab joins the pod to chat about a brilliant picture book and Reading for Pleasure guru Jon Biddle is our teacher guest this week. Jon tells us about his first experience of choosing his own adventure with a book discovered at his local library.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Roger Red Hat by Sheila McCullagh

Kirsten - A Better Best Friend by Olivier Tallech

Catherine -The Golden Treasury of Poetry an anthology selected by Louis Untermeyer, The Armada book of Facts for Girls, Half Magic by Edward Eager

Jon -  The Citadel of Chaos by Steve Jackson

USEFUL LINKS

Catherine Johnson

WEB: https://www.catherinejohnson.co.uk

INSTA: @catherinebeccajohnson

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

EPISODE 2 

Our second episode features Ian Eagleton, a former primary school teacher turned writer who has received widespread acclaim for his books Nen & the Lonely Fisherman, The Boy who Cried Ghost, Violet's Tempest and Glitter Boy. 

Ian tells us of how his reading diet as a child helped to shape his writing in the future and how his early sense of looking for the magical and a personal sense of 'feeling different' has had an influence on his own character creations. We also (as you would expect) chat about THAT tweet from Mariah Carey.

Sarah Mears, co-founder of EmpathyLab & Programmes Director for Libraries Connected joins us to recommend a book from the Read for Empathy collection and our teacher guest this week is Mari Bowen. Mari tells us of her love for a particular children's favourite and how hearing it read to her inspired her 30 years (so far!) in the classroom as a teacher.

BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

Paul - Don't Forget the Bacon by Pat Hutchins

Sarah - Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Ian -The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson, Harvey Angell by Diana Hendry, This Place Has No Atmosphere by Paula Danzinger

Mari - Elmer by David McKee

USEFUL LINKS

Ian Eagleton

WEB: https://thereadingrealm.co.uk

INSTA: @ian.eagleton

EmpathyLab

WEB: www.empathylab.uk

INSTA: @empathylabuk

Paul Jenkins

WEB: www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk

INSTA: @teacherwriterPJ

For any enquiries about the podcast contact Paul on pauljenkinspoet@gmail.com

Raised by Writers (c) is a Double Rainbow production

This week Paul talks with amazing children's author Cath Howe and the pupils of Golden Grove Primary School in Pembroke. They ask her some insightful questions on how to write and they discuss in detail Empathy Day.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 06.06.21

Enhance your podcast experience with the pupils' musical choices

The Beatles - Help

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky

Julie Andrews - My Favourite Things

This week, ahead of Paul's Virtual Climb up Everest he talks to Melanie Southworth about her amazing personal Everest stories. From failed attempts, through illness at base camp to success, she retells the events that are leading to her first book. 'Breathe'

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 25.04.21

Enhance you podcast experience with Melanie's music choices:

David Lee Roth - Just Like Paradise

AC/DC - It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)

Kool and the Gang - Celebration

This week, Paul talks to to poet, Matt Goodfellow about his transition from would be rock star to teacher to poet and he reads form his latest collection: "Bright Bursts of Colour"

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 18.04.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Matt's music choices:

Doves - Carousels

The Charlatans - Here Comes a Soul Saver

Frightened Rabbit - Head Rolls Off

This week Paul talks to Sara Kedge, co-editor of "Neurodiverse Entrepreneurial Awesomeness: An Anthology Of Stories From Brilliant Entrepreneurs With Amazingly Different Brains Who Are Forging Their Own Way" 

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio on 04.04.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Sara's music choices:

George Harrison (The Beatles) - Here Comes the Sun

Michael Jackson - Come Together

Amos Lee - Sweetpea

This week, Paul talks to writer of radio, TV and BRUM legend, Alan Dapré about writing for children's television.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 28.03.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Alan's music selections:

The Monkees - Theme Song

E.L.O. - Mr. Blue Sky

Justin Timberlake - Can't Stop the Feeling

This week Paul talks to poet Tony Curry about his brand new collection We Kid Ourselves as well as his open mic night, Word Central.

Enhance your podcast experience with Tony's music choices:

BADBADNOTGOOD - Time Moves Slowly

The Smiths - William, It Was Really Nothing

Bill Wells & Adam Moffat - The Copper Top

This week Paul talks to Stoke based writer, Richard Hayden about his his new book, Folly on the Hill; the first part of a fantasy trilogy.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 14.03.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Richard's music selections:

Ed Sheeran - Castle on a Hill

Zac Efron & Hugh Jackman - The Other Side

Shakira - Try Everything

This week Paul talks to first time author Abigail Collins about her hilarious debut novel Everybody's Doing It centered around the modern dating scene as well as her other life as a cabaret and circus performer.

First broadcast on Rossendale Radio 07.03.21

Enhance your podcast experience with Abi's music selections:

Wham! - Club Tropicana

Jim Gipson - Johnny Rotten in LA

Shirley Bassey - I Am What I Am