Favourite WoW Moments in 2014

Rosa Murdoch:
Designer and Social Media Co-ordinator

"This year I have loved developing my design skills with Writing on the Wall. I have created leaflets, booklets, flyers and helped make 12 books (as well as cut out hundreds of doves). Publishing the books with WoW has been especially rewarding, I love that we are printing peoples stories and making their words come alive. Seeing the reactions and gratitude once they've got a physical copy of the book in their hand is something quite special. A highlight for me was the positive response I got to my artwork for the Mental Health and Me competition and having all the Kinship Carer Nans squeeze the life out of me when they got the book that we had worked so hard together to make. Special thanks to Wesley Storey Photographer for being my Photoshop guru, I've learnt a ridiculous amount in the last year.

I have also loved being part of all these inspirational events and projects and of course the most incredible festival. A favourite moment for me, was the Irvine Welsh event and getting to read his book ‘Sex Lives of Siamese Twins’ before it came out. Oh, and dancing and singing with him to a David Bowie tribute act and discussing our favourite music."

Favourite WoW Moments in 2014

Wesley Storey:

WoW Photographer, Designer, Film Maker and Producer.

"My favourite WoW moment of 2014 was the culmination of the Mental Health and Me writing competition at Liverpool Central Library. It must have taken a lot of courage for some of the writers to get up there read passages from their work before a live audience. The process was huge for those participants and the project perfectly reflected WoW's ethos of engagement and inclusivity"

Favourite WoW Moments in 2014

Chanel Scott-Jeffers:
Assistant Festival Coordinator

"I really enjoyed my first experience of coordinating WoWfest 2014, it was great to see first-hand how such an amazing programme of events developed and came to life from a few ideas on a page. I especially enjoyed the poetry night with Phill Jupitus, he was just as how you would expect him to be, funny, friendly and (thankfully) very down to earth as he just mingled with the crowd before and after the event. At the end of the event, we enjoyed a feast that would feed the 5000 at New Capital Restaurant in Chinatown as I quizzed him about every aspect of his life and got 100 photos to cement that beautiful, beautiful new friendship. I also really enjoyed coordinating Mental Health and Me which I've written about in the WoW Blog more thoroughly, but it was great to work on a project about a subject which hasn't been openly explored enough and which quite clearly meant a lot to those who entered."

Chanel, Madeline & LMHC meeting Ruby Wax for
the Mental Health and Me Competition

Favourite Moments of 2014

Madeline Heneghan:
Co-Director of Writing on the Wall

A favourite moment of 2014 was having lunch in the crowded Post Office pub on Saturday afternoon with Phill Jupitus and Tim Wells. Hemmed it the corner, waiting for our fish and chips we reminisced on poetry ‘back in the day’, when Apples and Snakes were housed at Seven Dials, Covent Garden. Tim explained the difference between Ranting and Performance Poetry, you don’t want to get in wrong in front of him, believe me. After that we popped into Probe Records and had a moment’s quiet reflection on Poly Styrene, one of the great wordsmiths of Punk. That was the afternoon one of the most unique events in last year’s festival; ‘Poetry from Two Stout Lads’. These stout lads were a pleasure to spend time with.

James Rice Book Launch

Alice and the Fly 

Writing on the Wall and the Directors of Hodder & Stoughton invite you to the launch of one of the most hotly anticipated debuts of 2015 – Alice and the Fly by previous Pulp Idol finalist, James Rice. Thursday 15th January, 7.30pm in Leaf Tea Shop, 65-67 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4EZ. 

Books will be available to buy on the night and James will be in conversation with WoW’s Mike Morris. 

In Memory of Dinesh Allirajah.

We were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of poet, writer and teacher, Dinesh Allirajah. We had the pleasure of working with Dinesh in 2007 when he did a superb job coordinating our first Liverpool Young Writers Project. He also appeared, reading his own poetry, at our festival on a number of occasions. Dinesh was a very talented writer, an excellent performer and a wonderful person, who made a major contribution to arts and culture across the North-West. He was respected and admired by our festival audiences, our young writers and all at Writing on the Wall. He will be missed by many people. We extend our thoughts and sympathies to his family and friends at this difficult time, and wish them all the best for the future.


Co-Directors Mike Morris and Madeline Heneghan on behalf of all at Writing on the Wall.

Link to Dinesh’s website: www.freewebs.com/dineshallirajah 

12 Books of Christmas

Writing on the Wall have published an incredible 12 books over the past year full of high quality writing from our amazing projects. We are celebrating this by dedicating our 12 days of Christmas to each publication. Keep a look out and take advantage of our special seasonal discounts...

We are also be holding online competitions on Facebook and Twitter where you can win ALL 12 BOOKS FOR FREE! 

Countdown with us and be WoWed by all our brilliant writers. 

What's today's going to be?.... Find out here