Welcome
Hello again old friends and new friends alike.
It’s the season of love. Valentines is either a sweet or bitter memory for many of us, but let us not get our heads crowded with thoughts of commercialism that seem so rampant. Because, after all, love is free isn’t it?
And, in a manner of speaking, so are we.
We’re just a literary periodical, stood in front of a reader, asking them to fall in love with this new crop of the best writing around. That’s right, Edition 15 is here, and it won’t cost you a penny to read it. Zip. Nada. Not a bean. Go ahead, tuck in, unlike chocolate it won’t add any pounds, nor does it cost any.
There’s so much to love in this new edition as well. Some stellar poetry, fantastic writing for younger readers, and some stone-cold classic fiction. So treat yourself, and maybe you’ll discover a new favourite.
If you do have a couple of pounds spare, however, we’ve got something that might be of interest to you. Our next vintage live event from the vault has just gone live, and it’s available right now for all subscribers to our Northern Gravy Substack. So not only do you get our raw, unfiltered thoughts, opinions and insights direct to your inbox, you also get access to the live events from some truly exceptional writers. It’s all available, right now, for the ridiculously low price of £3.50. That’s cheaper than getting a valentine’s card delivered!
You can watch Writing For Children with Lisette Auton right now as a subscriber, so if you haven’t joined us already, consider signing up and helping not only your own writing, but also giving us the support to keep championing, publishing, and most importantly paying new writers. It’s what we do, and we’re so thankful we get to do it with you.
That’s quite enough from us, so now here’s a word from each of our editors about their selections for Edition 15:
A word from our Poetry Editor, Ralph Dartford
Here are poems that are all about the small details of life being lived and endured. They are meditations on the nuts and bolts, the things that make us what we are and what we want to be. From fairground candy floss and monthly blood, the miraculous hair and the damp nape of a neck. These poems are alive with a roving camara swooping and diving and finally screening on our existence. Enjoy!
A word from our Fiction Editor, Nick Jones
The pieces here represent a kaleidoscope of viewpoints, some familiar, some brand new. Each of them presents a new perspective on an experience, some with humour, and some with sensory detail. Some will break your heart, some will make you sleep with the lights on.
A word from our Kid Lit Editor, Jonny Syer
This editions work will inspire and provoke thought. They smash stereotypes and urge you to read aloud. Northern Gravy continues to provide a space for writers to explore boundless creativity. These pieces have the power to shape a young readers understanding of the world. A joy to publish.
Guest Article
Our fifteenth article is written by Beverley Ward – In defence of the joyful writer.
We hope you enjoy reading our fifteenth edition as much as we have enjoyed curating it. Northern Gravy continues to break down barriers by paying every writer they feature.
As ever, we would like to thank our friends and advisors: Arts Council England, Sheffield Hallam University, New Writing North, Writing on the Wall, Spread the Word, Harper North, Writing East Midlands and Bradford Literature Festival.
