Skip to main content

About

James Nash

Poet. Author. Teacher.

I write poetry mostly, though I’ve had stories, memoirs and, as a journalist, many articles published in newspapers and magazines.

I have a huge amount of expertise in running writing workshops. This is solidly supported by my original training as a teacher and subsequently working in inner-city high schools for many years.

I’m a literary host working at many festivals across the country, getting the best out of writers whom I interview at events.

I have also edited many collections of young people’s writing as well as adult work with my most recent being ‘Fourteen Festive Sonnets’ for the excellent Candlestick Press.

Writers' Workshops

​I have run writing workshops and programmes all over the UK for adults and young people, within the fields of writing and performance – this includes working with the visually impaired, men in prison, English teachers and writers’ groups.

I often run workshops as part of literary festival appearances – I was Writer in Residence for the Beverley Literature Festival in 2002 and again at the Wakefield Literature Festival in 2012.

​I am extremely skilled and professional at building group and individual confidence. My workshops are fun, engaging and educational.

I have and will travel to any part of the UK.

Please contact me to discuss how I can best work with your writers’ group.

Performances

I have performed all over the country, with both poetry and prose. I am an accomplished and amusing performer of my own and others’ work. I can work with groups to develop a knowledge and understanding of poetry and have run many open mic spots.

I have performed at the Ilkley Literature Festival, Bradford Literature Festival, Sheffield’s Off the Shelf Festival, Ledbury Poetry FestivalBridlington Poetry Festival and the Beverley and Humber Mouth festivals, to name just a few.

Hosting Events

One of my greatest areas of expertise is the hosting and the running of literary events.

These include Readers’ Days, where I usually compere, running readers’ and writers panels’, introducing and interviewing acts. I concentrate on building rapport and engagement, making the day stress-free, seamless and fun.

I am very knowledgeable and confident in the world of books and reading, and able to communicate my enthusiasm to an audience of any size, from 20 to 200, creating a safe environment where people feel comfortable to make their own contributions to the general debate.

I have hosted Readers’ Days and literature events all over the UK. My particular skills are in having a conversation with an author/writer on a platform or stage and making it appear casual, informal and fun. Writers have included (amongst hundreds of others) Andrew MotionSarah WatersJoanne HarrisVal McDermid, Michael Holroyd and Simon Armitage.

Readers' Groups

I have a great deal of experience in running Readers’ Groups. Having been Reader in Residence for Kirklees Libraries for three years – I’ve trained library staff in many authorities on approaches to running readers’ groups.

I’ve also run very successful ‘one off’ reader’s group sessions on poetry, as workshops – often as part of a larger event or festival.

I am happy to come in, on a consultancy basis, to work with your group, or your group co-ordinator(s). Full references or recommendations may be provided on request.

Whatever your budget, please contact me to discuss how I can best work with your readers’ group.

Writing and Journalism

I have worked for Metro newspapers, The Leeds Guide and Northern Exposure as an arts / lifestyle journalist, covering everything from book reviews to interviews with writers and people in the arts.

I have also had a variety of writing commissions for Northern Ballet, Barnsley, Sheffield and Bradford local authorities, both working alone or with community groups to produce work which reflects local or institutional concerns.