Published Projects

Mrs Anna O'Brien

Senior Mental Health Lead, St John Fisher Catholic College, Newcastle under Lyme

Lisa gave her time to support the wellbeing needs of some of our vulnerable learners within school. She planned and led a creative writing session with some of our SEND learners which had a really positive impact. Lisa also gave her time to support very vulnerable learners 1:1. This mentoring support made a huge difference to improving the resilience and academic outcomes of our young people within school.

Sian (pseudonym)

Participant in Creative Writing Workshops – North Staffordshire Research Project

In 2014, we were approached by Jackie Reynolds, an academic from Staffordshire University, to publish a book entitled, ‘And the Doctor Said...’. This was the result of an innovative research project which used creative writing as a way of exploring people’s experiences of healthcare in North Staffordshire. A participant in the project shares her thoughts below.

“I felt safe in the writing workshops. I didn’t know how therapeutic and empowering writing could be. I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to be involved in the research project alongside my peers in ‘Voices of Experience’. Seeing the final book in print, especially my own writing, was a real turning point in my journey. I didn’t feel like a victim anymore. I felt like a survivor.”

S.M. (Real name and details supplied)

An electronic copy of the book can be viewed here: www.andthedoctorsaid.org

Genuine Fakes by Rosemary Myatt

A compelling tale of two men who, over many years, fooled the art world. Michael Vaughan-Taylor, a cunning conman, came across John Blake, an innocent artist in dire straits. Together, the two became internationally, and infamously, known for having pulled off the ‘greatest art fraud of the 20th century’.

Genuine Fakes provides a unique vantage point into the decade that the two men managed to exploit the art world with their dangerous combination of extraordinary talents in both art and deception. Loosely based on genuine events, and with an unprecedented insight into the experience of one half of the scandalous partnership, this novel explores a yet unseen side of this notorious story.

Theatres of War by William Cooke – £11.99

Theatres of War deals with three significant episodes in the history of the Midlands. The visits of Buffalo Bill to Stoke created a sensation, for he was among the most charismatic figures of his age. His Wild West, one of the most spectacular shows ever seen, was truly a theatre of war, vividly recreating such events as Custer's last stand at the Little Bighorn.

The Minnie Pit explosion of 1918 was the worst disaster in the history of coal mining in North Staffordshire. The tragedy moved the whole nation and inspired Wilfred Owen to write his poem 'Miners'. The final episode covers the assassination of SS General Reinhard Heydrich in 1942 which provoked a terrible act of reprisal – the destruction of the Czech village of Lidice. In response, the defiant Lidice Shall Live campaign that originated in Stoke-on-Trent became a worldwide movement to confront and confound Nazi brutality.

Scrambling to Glory by William Cooke – £9.99

Scrambling to Glory tells the momentous story of the Battle of Britain that took place in the killing skies above England from July to October 1940. Part One profiles extraordinary fighter pilots connected with the West Midlands, including George Bennions, Michael Crossley, and Eric Lock.

Part Two gives an account of 238 Squadron's role in the battle as reflected in twelve remarkable letters written at the time by Sergeant Eric Bann of Macclesfield. These letters bear witness to the pilots' supreme bravery and self-sacrifice in the struggle for survival.

“Vibrant descriptions of aerial combat... bring to life the reality of daily events while serving in 238 Squadron.” – Fred Hughes

Banjo the Flying Pig by Maxine Mallen

The perfect tale for storytime... Will Banjo get his wings? Join him in his quest for all that is good. This rhyming story is sure to become a bedtime classic.

“Fantastic little story! Just the right length for bed times. My children love this story.” – Sharon, July 2013

“Beautifully illustrated and delightful rhyming! Can't wait for the next book.”

“A great children's book with fun pictures and a happy ending. A perfect bedtime story!” – Ruth Sagrott, July 2013