Comment | We must celebrate the craft of writing

By Dr Lisa Blower, lecturer in creative writing at Keele University. This article first appeared as a Personally Speaking column in the Stoke Sentinel in June 2025.

Last summer, Stoke-on-Trent was awarded World Craft City status in recognition of its rich heritage and innovative spirit within the ceramic industry. Since then, I've been thinking a lot about the word 'craft', how it applies to all creative industries including my line of work as a writer, when it's our job to 'make texts' and 'craft stories' – think plotting novels, experimenting with form, working across mediums - that merge historical practices with new technologies. Us writers are also in the business of developing our craft within our communities and in education, and often mindful of our literary roots. As the city's most prolific crime writer, Mel Sherratt, says, "I don't know where I'd be without this city running through my blood. It's certainly made me the writer I am."

As we reach the 'arf way point in the 100Books, a project to showcase the city's history and celebrate Stoke-on-Trent's 100 year anniversary, one of the highlights has been knowing just how many writers are working and publishing in the city now; how many have, since the turn of the 21st century, been crafting texts through traditional routes or by exploring – thanks to the internet - non-traditional platforms that have enabled more writers to make literature. Whether it's a childhood memoir (Arthur Johnson; Paul Johnson; Dave Evison), an historic reflection upon the city (Helen Harwood; Ray Johnson; Terry & Pam Woolliscroft), to celebrate the city's football clubs (Dave Proudlove; Jeff Kent), a poetry collection (Pauline Steiner; Philip Johnson; Kevin Mellor) or a riveting new novel (Lynn Johnson; Debbi Voisey; Steve Hollyman). To know of so many literary works in so many different genres and mediums - poetry, non-fiction, history, novels - including books for our younger readers to inspire them to become writers (Alex Foulkes; Kathy Tallentire; Paul Simpson) - shows how today's writers are not only "shouting about our rich cultural heritage and massive contribution to the literary world," as centenary poet laureate Nick Degg says. "But showing just how important and diverse our offer has been over the last century."

What is more, contrary to our rather sparse findings so far between 1935-1975, there's an equal balance of men and women writers across all life stages proving that anyone can do it. As the 2025 Arnold Bennett prize winner Jonathan Taylor states, "Stoke-on-Trent has a remarkable literary tradition, as strong as any city, which we should celebrate." So, we are.

This summer, the 6x6 Micro-Residencies will shine a spotlight on six Made in Stoke-on-Trent authors known for their craft. Each will take up a six-hour residency bookended by a free public writing workshop and In Conversation event with myself. In between, the writers will be offering bespoke author services on their craft – from portfolio clinics to writing prompts to informal chats about their work. They will also be encouraging everyone to compose their own 100word story for our 'Don’t Lose Your Place' bookmark stories; the idea being that whatever we write, whatever our story, this city’s landscape somehow plays its part in our craft.

Stoke-on-Trent libraries will host the first three residencies with leading authors Mel Sherratt (11th July, Hanley); Jonathan Taylor, (26th July, Trentham), and the prize-winning poet Natalie Linh Bolderston (21st July, Stoke).

Then in September, centenary poet laureate and consummate performer Nick Degg will take up residency at The Brampton Art Gallery & Museum, with Charlotte Higgins, non-fiction writer and The Guardian's Cultural Editor appearing at Newcastle library. Finally, Norton-born Dr Michael Durrant, an expert in book history, will end the season by offering a unique workshop on the art of bookmaking as a craft. As Michael says, "This centenary is a chance to celebrate the voices, stories, and imagination that have shaped the city and continue to inspire it."

Amy Capewell, senior librarian for Stoke-on-Trent libraries, agrees. "So many authors' journeys have started in their local library, and we are very proud to be continuing that tradition," she says. "This will be a wonderful opportunity for local residents to learn more about the writing process, to pose their own questions of published authors and gain some valuable advice and insights."

To book a space on a workshop or for the in-conversation event with any of our July residencies, call or email central.library@stoke.gov.uk / 01782 238455.