Local Writer Plugs Leeds Big Bookend

Mick McCann politely requests you attend Leeds Big Bookend …

Come to The Big Bookend y’ Twats.

Research shows that in these days of increased fake intimacy and ‘friends’ people respond to the apparent honesty of rudeness* and if you need insulting, I’m your man.

Ladies and gentlemen pray silence as I transform myself into to my wholly fabricated, Leeds ‘lad’, Mick McCann character.

Right y’ tossers, if y’ give in shit about any Leeds arts YOU have a moral imperative t’ get y’re arses down to at least one event during The Leeds Big Bookend and here’s why.

The central thrust of The Big Bookend is Leeds writers and that matters. It’s about transforming the city’s writing scene and I’d argue that will have a knock-on effect on the whole creative landscape of Leeds.

It asks the question ‘Has Leeds got the balls (imagination and oomph) to support a bold, grass-roots move to celebrate its own culture?’ It’s set-up and run by volunteers – there’s no one thinking, ‘I don’t give a fuck, I’m waged’ just ‘How can we make it the best we can?’ They deserve our support and we need to make sure it happens again next year and the year after.

It’s about life and it’s about legacy, not in a poncey Olympics-type way but about an actual legacy, about creating a supportive, inclusive environment, a place where people can fulfil their potential – shit, I sound like some meaningless political leaflet.

There’s a bunch of young kids out there, kids with a gift, kids who knows shit all about ligging and kissing arse. They need to know there’s a local scene they can plug into, that there are people who can support and advise them (with sage advice like ‘stop talking bollocks and just start writing it y’ tosser’). It’s about developing a scene that can put them in front of a Leeds audience and say, ‘Go on then, surprise us with your talent’ or just encourage them to write (or whatever it is they want to do) and experiment with the belief that they may be able to create something special.

This year the Leeds Big Bookend ran two writing competitions for school kids and last year put out the brilliant anthology of fresh Leeds writers LS13.

If things like the BBE prosper, creatives will then have a bigger platform, the city of Leeds can nurture and support them and they don’t necessarily have to fuck off to London (or even the BBC’s favourite city, Twatchester**) and forget or ignore their roots – you know what I mean.

It’s about selling the city, about spreading the name of Leeds and how that affects you… y’selfish twat? Because if you’re in any way involved in Leeds arts or have an interest in them, it will indirectly plug your shit as well. It will make people you speak to from outside the city say, ‘Ooh, you’re from Leeds?’ with a positive lilt.

We can become a creative powerhouse and, combined with other things, the Big Bookend can oil the pistons.

Look at the promotion that Mr Bennett, Kay Mellor or David Peace have given the city, or that reclusive Leeds writer Bernard Hare’s stonking 2006 book Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew now being made into a film.

It’s about developing Leeds into a place with a reputation for producing creative, articulate people with something to say to the world.

Here are some of my picks so you can alter your lazy, selfish attitude and get along and give meaning to your life.

A Time for Crime: Panel discussion with three successful Leeds writers Steve Mosby, Frances Brody and Chris Nickson 07/06/2014 @12:00 pm Leeds Central Library Ticket Price £3.00. Being a scandalous misogynist I’ve only read the two blokes fabulous stuff but I really want to go to this… Unfortunately, next up and clashing.

Me and John Lake talking about the origins and development of his Leeds 6 trilogy. I’d suggest you attend the one above – who’d want to subject themselves to an hour of me talking bollocks and John trying to speak? The only thing that stops me from suggesting it is that John will also be doing a few readings. 07/06/2014 12:30 PM @ Leeds Central Library, Free event.

Fortunately, I will be able to see SJ Bradley and Wes Brown in conversation at Leeds Central Library 07/06/2014, 2:00 pm £3.00. SJ Bradley will be in conversation with Wes Brown (author of Shark and contributing editor at Dead Ink) for the book launch of her first novel, Brick Mother. Gooo on SJ.

Another one that caught my attention is Max Farrar: “Where is Chapeltown, and what does it do?” What an ace question. 07/06/2014 2:30 PM @ Leeds Central Library, tickets: £3.00

Richard Smyth and Wes Brown in conversation 07/06/2014 3:30 PM @ Leeds Central Library, £3.00. The winner of last year’s fab LS13 competition, Richard Smyth will be in conversation with Wes Brown for the launch of his first novel, Wild Ink. Wes is hosting two in a row but, unlike me, Wes dun’t talk bollocks so you should be alright.

The Leeds Story Cycle 07/06/2014 7:30 PM @ Leeds Church Institute, £3.00. ‘What do you get when you put a group of young people, asylum seekers, students, retired church folk, writers and recovering addicts in the same room and ask them to tell a story about Leeds?’

On the subject of talking bollocks, there’s Mr Clavane, my only real competition – only joking Anthony… you’re way better than me at it. Leaping Off the Page: sport, literature and God’s Own County. 08/06/2014 12:00PM @ West Yorkshire Playhouse £3.00. Anthony Clavane (non-fiction), Nick Quantrill (fiction) and Roger Domeneghetti (history of the football media) look at the ways Yorkshire’s sporting identity has been reflected in the arts and media.

And the grand finale An Audience With Alan Bennett 08/06/2014 2:00 PM @ West Yorkshire Playhouse, £20.00. Don’t bother, it’s sold out. But if you have a ticket, don’t make this your one event, you’d’ve gone to this anyway, it dun’t count.

So come on, come to the Leeds Big Bookend y’ twat, you’ve no excuse, there’s a list of it all here.

* I made that up. It’s either a lie or a prediction.

** I’ve nothing against Twatchester, I wanted City to win the title and some of my best friends are…