John Dean – Crime Writer

New Writing North and Northumbria University have announced that funding is in place for their new centre for writing and publishing in Newcastle.

They hope to buy the Old Post Office in Newcastle for the centre, which will be a public building hosting events and courses for writers based in the north, everyone from professional authors to aspiring writers.

The centre will strengthen Newcastle’s ambitions to become a national hub for writing and publishing and there will be a dedicated space  Northumbria University students of English, Creative Writing, and Publishing.

Funding secured for the project includes £5 million from Department for Culture, Media, and Sport as part of its Cultural Development Fund, £1 million from Newcastle City Council, with a further £4.5 million from regional backers to be announced.

As well as significant funding from central and local government, the centre is a key part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ Cultural Strategy, and backed by publishers including Hachette UK, Faber and Simon & Schuster.