Incorporating Writing (ISSN 1743-0380) was launched in Autumn 2003 by Bixby Monk, Samantha Morton and Andrew Oldham. It’s editorial board over the years have included Andrew O’Donnell, Sarah Hesketh, George Wallace, Sharon Sadle, Fiona Ferguson, G.P. Kennedy, Christine Brandel, Janet Aspey, Valeria Kogan, Sara-Jayne Parsons and Sofie Fowler. It has had hundreds of contributors from across the UK. Under these people, its readership grew to over 100,000+ readers and we are grateful for their continued support. Chock full of interviews, articles, critical opinion, editorials and reviews on Literature and the Arts. It brought the best and exclusive to its readers for over 6 years. In those six years they ran exclusive interviews with the likes of Blake Morrison, Joanne Harris, Steve Aylett, Hilary Mantel, Ian Rankin, Michael Ondaajte, Susan Orlean, Daljit Nagra, Douglas Coupland, Will Self, Jim Crace and China Mieville. It ran one of the last interviews with Hunter S. Thompson.  Incorporating Writing pulled no punches and provided informed opinion. It ceased publication in 2010 and is archived here. 

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Issue 6 Vol 4 2009: CREATIVE WRITING (ISSN 1743-0380)

So the end is here, after seven years, many issues, many writers, interviews, reviews and articles, the editorial team are hanging up their pens, throwing computers out of the window and cheering each time they hit a critic.

The last issue goes back to our roots, it features the first photographer we ever had on our pages, Lisha Aquino Rooney. We tackle the world of Creative Writing with writer and academic, Andrew Biswell, in interview with GP Kennedy. Nastasha Smith looks at the ever expanding world of the writers workshop and Rebecca Richards tries to convince us all that Creative Writing courses aren’t full of drinkers. Toby Litt is our last writer to reveal their secret passion and what a passion! Christine Brandel and Sofie Fowler bow out as our final columnists. Andrew Oldham’s editorial doesn’t hold back as he rants his way off the map. Janet Aspey stands firm on her editing of the final reviews from Byatt to Byrne. We’d like to thank all our readers, reviewers, writers, contributors and editors. We’ve had seven glorious years and we are going out on a high. The best way to end.

Issue 6 Vol 3 2009: AGE (ISSN 1743-0380)

‘It comes to us all!’ is often mumbled in supermarkets by the elderly from their motor scooter seconds after they have mowed you down. Flat, despondent and with a tyre track on your stomach it is easy to consider your own mortality or note that no one ever cleans under the units in supermarkets.

But don’t worry, the team at Incorporating Writing are vibrant, have new hips, and clean in places that weekend staff in supermarkets never get to. We have bumbled out into the high street of publishing to explore Age. We look at the growing revolution in publishing with Katya Shipster, we stop off at the immoveable feast that is academia with James Methven. We let Tom Chivers free on his skateboard and Christine Brandel tackles the fact that growing old does happen over night. New columnist, Sofie Fowler, revels in being young. In our editorial, Andrew Oldham, realises those childhood dreams where never as good as you thought they were. In our articles, Faith Roswell tackles Coming of Age and Rebecca Richards wonders whether the Internet as it grows old will descend into crisis or senior moments. We are fortunate to exhibit a series of images from Wondrous by Michelle Sank. As usual we are chock full of reviews, news and opportunities. All free, all critical.

Issue 6 Vol 2 2009: VIOLENCE (ISSN 1743-0380)

So, the credit crunch has hit and violent crime is on the rise. Here in the offices of Incorporating Writing we have seen the way violence escalates in the everyday. Last week one of the reviewers borrowed an editor’s pen and never returned it. They have not been seen since and the blood smear echoes of their fingerprints on the office floor is not being talked about. Violence is something we are all drawn to, it is the headline news, the tickertape on twitter and the moral question of the moment. Yet, the macabre is growing in the world of writing and the arts. In the latest edition, Andrew Taylor and Daniele Pantano reveal their growing addiction to the darker side of writing and living. In our articles, new boy, Ian Kenworthy, takes his own life in his hands as he clearly states the North is a place of violence and death. Helen Stacey stands her ground against the growing tide of anger and Valeria Kogan notes violence and paranoia is growing excuse in our world. In her column from America, Christine Brandel notes that the USA is now safer than the UK. In his editorial, Andrew Oldham comes if with a one handed solution to acts of violence, compulsory masturbation. Between all this and much more, Sara-Jayne Parsons walks into the fray as the new Arts Editor, revamping Perfect Eye into Writing with Light. Parsons brings us the work of John Darwell and startling images of the foot and mouth outbreak that swamped the UK earlier in the decade. Janet Aspey oversees reviews on the violent offerings from Roberto Saviano (now in hiding after being placed on the Mafia’s hitlist), Sudhir Venkatesh, Jason Donald, Vesna Maric and Gil Adamson. The walls of Incorporating Writing may be blood stained but we still remain bloody critical and free.

Issue 6 Vol 1 2009: IT’S ALIVE (ISSN 1743-0380)

Guest Editor: Tight Lip, Brighton

In the darkest, deepest winter months, things stir and creep between the storms and in the highest tower of Incorporating Writing central, Frankenstein screams, It’s Alive .The pages of Incorporating Writing to prove that Live Literature is well and growing in Brighton, UK (www.tightlip.co.uk). With the help of Tight Lip members we go behind the Live Literature scene and see how the writer China Mieville tackles the day to day work of promoting, writing and how Literature will adapt to the coming changes. We meet up and coming poet, Gary Goodman as he shows us how he writes, and that he too is surviving the downturn. Cathi Unsworth reveals her secret London passion. Meredith Okell yells for us to bring out the dead as she looks at the world of poetry and performance poetry, and reveals a startling truth. Dan McTiernan finds himself coming around to the art of story telling via opening a bakers and Christine Brandel is still confused in the USA with Live Literature. Janet Aspey oversees the world of criticism, in a reviews section spanning the latest offerings from the likes of Ali Smith, Jo Baker and Shena Mackay. We exhibit the work of Sam Collins in the final outing for Perfect Eye. The end may be here for the arts and the economy but Incorporating Writing still remains all critical and all free. 

Issue 5 Vol 4 2008: CHAPTER & VERSE (ISSN 1743-0380)

5th ANNIVERSARY YEAR SPECIAL EDITION

Guest Editor: Maura Kennedy

To celebrate the launch of the Chapter & Verse Festival in Liverpool (http://www.chapterverse.org.uk) we have not only gone behind the scenes but have selected some of the finest names to interview. We catch up with Jim Crace and talk to him about the Liverpool writing scene, Erwin James gives us a candid interview about life behind bars and life after prison. Jim McAuliffe shares his secret passion with us. Dan McTiernan launches himself like a vulture into culture while Christine Brandel returns stateside to discover she’s more English than she thought. Articles with Sara Maclennan on performance poetry, Jen Tomkins tackling the fear of reading and the new Articles Editor, Valeria Kogan, delving into debut fiction at the festival. Janet Aspey oversees the world of criticism, in a reviews section spanning the latest offerings from the likes of Lemn Sissay, Linda Grant and John Healy. Sara Parsons exhibits the art of Tracey Moffatt in an exclusive section. 

Issue 5 Vol 3 2008: PULP (ISSN 1743-0380)

5th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

It was the kind of forest that lumberjacks went to, to cut down trees and dance on the flaking ash bark with hob nail boots until it turned to pulp. What they didn’t expect were the editorial staff of Incorporating Writing all dressed as platinum blondes, clutching aliens and doing a dance routine. There in their wake, glistening and heaving on the forest floor was the Pulp issue, with some rack as well; Steve Aylett and Margaret Oban, Leroy Skalstad and Stephy Robinson getting the hots for H.G. Wells. It wasn’t long before Bryan Tighe was on Skalstad and Gilks, Fleming and Allen got onto SF. It was no surprise that Christine Brandel is disgusted and Dan McTiernan has moved in with Zorba the Greek and that Andrew Oldham is buzzing on Pulp. Pulp is dangerous stuff, can make your eyes water and bring a good man down.

 Issue 5 Vol 2 2008: SEX SELLS (ISSN 1743-0380)

5th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

Rosie Lugosi & Mitzi Szereto interviews in an edition tackling sex. Sex is running rampant at Incorporating Writing from vampires in Manchester to Jane Austen. We’re awash with the kind of moral behaviour that would have had Mary Whitehouse reach for her telephone and ring Thora Hird. Thankfully, we are now more progressive and Whitehouse is dead and Hird has ascended finally on that stana stairlift. So, everyone take off your shirts in a nipple gazing proclaimation that SEX SELLS. The the new edition of Incorporating Writing (ISSN 1743-0380) brings you more sex than you get in a Mills & Boon book on page 90. In our editorial, Andrew Oldham discusses the merits of of sex selling talentless people that should be shat into space. Tom Spurling considers sex in the modern age whereas Claire Boot romps through sex with Jane Austen. Dan McTiernan is forced to concede in his regular column that all book clubs are about getting naked and Christine Brandel reveals selling sex is nothing new. 

Issue 5 Vol 1 2008: POPULAR CULTURE (ISSN 1743-0380)

5th ANNIVERSARY YEAR

Douglas Coupland and Will Self interviews in an edition tackling modern life and popular culture. Yes, the Popular Culture issue has launched in a pointless fanfare. We hired a popular art gallery, opened some cheap wine boxes, wheeled in euro trash and taught them respectable conversation about restaurants, BBC radio and dog adverts. So, in the vein of all art gallery launches, no one looked at the art and the gossip was all about the new edition of Incorporating Writing being bigger and better than most other magazines on the net. Why? In our editorial, G.P.Kennedy ponders the academic viewpoint on popular front and gets annoyed. Jin arrives with her artwork in Perfect Eye. Tom Spurling tackles and rants on the popularity contest. Hermione Bressler gets lost in the sinking world of museums and opines the loss of art to the popular and vacuous media. Jess Greenwood applauds the internet and tackles the death of empathy and John Alder discovers the truth about popular poetry. Dan McTiernan discovers the dark side of popular culture, America and our resident anglo-American, Christine Brandel, weighs in with her response – she is Dan’s Father. 

Issue 4 Vol 4 2007: FOOD (ISSN 1743-0380)

Tonia Buxton and Antony Capella give us exclusive interviews in an edition to make the taste buds salivate as we delve into Greek food, culture, puddings and coffee. Yes, the Food issue has now been served up at our website and the new edition of Incorporating Writing (ISSN 1743-0380) is bigger, better and still free. In our editorial, Andrew Oldham wonders why food is being sexed up when food is already sexy, and what the hell has gone wrong with the Nigella world of cookery? Lisha Aquino Rooney returns to our pages in Perfect Eye and writes an article on why food is central to her art. Tom Spurling tackles the otherside of greed. Claire Boot gets over excited with Roald Dahl’s wonderful food words and wicked characters. Bruce Barnes leaps into the puddings of his childhood and comes up full, and gasping for seconds. In our columns, Dan McTiernan is joined by the new columnist, Christine Brandel, who beat off heavy competition to weigh in with an ode to Mexican food whilst Dan tackles the downside of trying to grow your own. G.P. Kennedy and critics return with a new look reviews section and they come in fighting and eating as they review the eighth novel by the author of Fightclub . 

Issue 4 Vol 3 2007: REVOLUTION (ISSN 1743-0380)

George Szirtes and Marina Lewycka give us exclusive interviews in an edition to make Marx, Lenin, Trotsky, Mao and Andrew Motion quake. Editorial by Sarah Hesketh. George Szirtes tells us why the first UK Creative Writing course shouldn’t rest on its laurels, Marina Lewycka tackles migrant workers and being shortlisted for the Orange Prize. Tom Spurling looks at an editorial meeting with a difference. The third generation of e-publishers and promoters arrives in the shape of Sara Hymas at Flax. Claire Boot on her summer holiday, to Cardiff. Dan McTiernan talks candidly about death. G.P. Kennedy and the reviews team cast an eye over the latest offerings from the publishers, Roddy Doyle beware. Artwork by Samantha Mills.  

Issue 4 Vol 2 2007: TRAVEL (ISSN 1743-0380)

What does Daljit Nagra, Benedict Allen and John Steinbeck have in common? They can all be found in the new edition of Incorporating Writing (ISSN 1743-0380). Our new Interviews Editor tackles two exclusives with Daljit Nagra and Benedict Allen, Tom Spurling looks at travel in South Africa and the parts of the country no one wants to admit to, Ben Felsenburg tackles the eco-crisis, as does Andrew Oldham in his editorial: Are We There Yet? Caroline Drennan and Claire Boot look at Byron and Steinbeck respectively. Dan McTiernan and Sharon Sadle wallow in the dislocation of travel and Margaret Atwood, Andrea Levy, Jane Hirshfield, Ian McEwan come under the critics eye in our reviews section. Gemma Cumming exhibits her work on Travel in Perfect Eye Cover Artist. 

Issue 4 Vol 1 2007: ADAPTATION (ISSN 1743-0380)

G.P. Kennedy takes a look at the world of ‘Adaptation’ in the brand new issue of Incorporating Writing . With a brand new look comes a brand new website. In this issue Cath Nichols interviews Susan Orlean, the author of The Orchid Thief , used in the film Adaptation , starring Nicholas Cage. Orlean talks about her work to date, the use of herself in the film (she was played by Meryl Streep) and adapting to success. Fiona Ferguson looks at the phenomenal rise of You Tube and the iconic Stevie Ryan. We sweep up the idea that Hollywood can adapt novels into films. Dan McTiernan gets to grips with Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief. Sharon Sadle adapts to a possible life back in the cubicle. Cover artist, Patricia Chan, looks at ideas of Adaptation in the wilderness. With latest reviews on Sebastian Faulks, A.N. Wilson’s controversial biography of Betjeman, and William Boyd’s latest book. 

Issue 3 Volume 5 2006: AMERICAN BEAT TRAIL (ISSN 1743-0380)

Interviews with Allen Ginsberg and Al Aronowitz. Sarah Dunnett looks at the legacy of counter-culture and Bruce Barnes visits San Francisco to check out the new wave of Literature. Dan McTiernan joins the team with his column on the T-Rex and the King. Sharon Sadle floats down the river some more. With reviews, news and articles on the UK and International Literature scene. Featured artist, Gavin Joynt. 

 

 

 

Issue 3 Volume 4 2006: PLAYWRIGHTS & CRITICS (ISSN 1743-0380)

Interview with original cowboy and ground breaking playwright, Sam Shepard. Clare Pollard looks at her experiences of writing and swearing at The Royal Court. Jess Greenwood probes the original rebel critic, Kenneth Tynan. John Terry, Director, looks at the mind of a playwright. With reviews, news and articles on the UK and International Literature scene. Featured artist, award winning artist (Winner of the photo of the week at the Saatchi Gallery), Lisha Aquino Rooney.  

 

 

Issue 3 Volume 3 2006: FESTIVALS (ISSN 17430380)

A new team, a new look. Michael Ondaajte and Jeffrey Archer interviews, novelist, Debbie Taylor exclusive. G.P. Kennedy rugby tackles Literature Festivals, Sharon Sadle flees her cubicle again and how much do you really know about A.E. Van Vogt? 52 pages of informed opinion, eclectic viewpoints, literary criticism and news and opportunities from across the globe.

 

 

 

 

Issue 3 Volume 2 2006: CRIME & FANTASY (ISSN 17430380)

Guest Editor: Chaz Brenchley

Brenchley chats with Val McDermid, Manda Scott and wrings his conscience out about his chosen career. In our articles, John Jarrold and Farah Mendlesohn look at genre publishing. Martin Edwards and Ann Cleeves look at crime and the detective. Jean Rogers flicks through comics and fantasy. Juliet McKenna reveals there’s more to fantasy than just making it up and Andrew Taylor looks at sex. We dedicate our reviews to all things crime and fantasy, and even the poet, Sean O’Brien can’t resist joining the team for a one off review. 

Issue 3 Volume 1/2006: BRITISH POETS (ISSN 17430380)

Clare Pollard and Esther Morgan interviewed, a farewell to John Fowles and Hovis Presley. Dave Wood delves one last time in to Italy and George Wallace tackles British Poetry in Liverpool. The top ten in The Incwriters Magazine Award are announced. Editorial by Andrew Oldham and reviews of the latest Jane Urquhart novel, Bloodaxe’s anthology for Valentine’s Day and much more. 

Issue 2 Volume 5 2005: MUSIC (ISSN 17430380)

Andrew Oldham talks to Andrew Loog Oldham, Louise Rennison tells all about writing for teenagers and why Stevie Wonder felt her face. Poet, Ian Parks talks about his love poetry and reveals details about his eagerly awaited new collection. The Incwriters Society prints it final twenty in its Magazine award, will there be shouting from the rooftops or explosions in the rafters? Finally, Sharon Olds blasts the Bush administration. This and much more with regular columns and reviews.

Issue 2 Volume 4 2005: SF (ISSN 17430380)

Ray Bradbury, the late Douglas Adams and Isaac Asimov. Sci-Fi artist, Slawek Wojtowicz looks at the fall of the American Empire, Sci-Fi author, George Zebrowski wants to know who killed Science Fiction – again? George Wallace and Andrew O’Donnell in their regular columns cross borders, Dave Wood crosses cultures and two fans share their love of P.K. Dick. With the return of the new look reviews, a chance to meet the team, purchase the books and look at recommended reads. In this issue the latest from Bloodaxe, the Forward Prize short list, an biography on the Sci-Fi writer, Phillip K. Dick, Erotic Books, Sci-Fi magazines and William Park’s new collection – an award winning book for the future. 

Issue 2 Volume 3 2005 (ISSN 17430380)

The inspirational Jessa Crispin, Mat Fraser and Kate Wax. Dave Wood enters Siciliy and Sam Morris looks at Deities in Training from Romanticism to the Modern. Incorporating Writing have suspended reviews for this edition as we take on a more reviewers. 

Issue 2 Volume 2 2005 (ISSN 17430380)

Michael Rosen, Hunter S. Thompson’s last interview, James Nash and Dee Rimbaud. We look at the Naked City, Dave Wood leaves Belfast, Andrew O’Donnell argues which city is the best, Sam Morris explores existentialism in a modern society, Ian Parks’ looks at T.F. Griffin and Andrew Oldham says farewell to Hunter S. Thompson. April 2005 reviews, we have a good old stomp through the North American publication, Vallum, take a gander at collections from Bloodaxe, Smith/Doorstep Books, Route, Flux Gallery Press and why Michael Rosen’s new collection is a must and why T.F. Griffin, Ian Daley, Neil Astley, Anthony Cropper should be editing more books.

Issue 2 Volume 1 2005 (ISSN 17430380)

Gerry Potter, talking about his creation, Chloe Poems and children’s writer, Chrissie Gittins. George Wallace visits the Kerouac Festival, Dave Wood enters Belfast in his Ireland Tour, part of The Incwriters Society (UK) sponsored poets series. January 2005 reviews, we browse through Dogeater’s new publications A Taste of Liquorice and Baz Uber Alles, stop off to look at the new collections from Sand, Wild and Treacle Trickles, and pass comment on Endpapers first poetry collection, Seven Earth Odes. 

Issue 1 Volume 4 2004 (ISSN 17430380)

Eva Salzman, Ian Rankin and Lucy English. A final farewell to Michael Donaghy. George Wallace goes all Beat and Andrew O’Donnell goes Korean. The first of The Incwriters Society (UK) sponsored poets tells all about his trip to Ireland, Jane Hardy gives us insight into Connections, Jean Sprackland reveals all about judging the Arvon International Poetry Competition and every thought about being a guide book writer? October 2004 reviews, a look at the magazine South, Bloodaxe Books latest offerings, Double Crossing: New & Selected Poems by Eva Salzman, Art of Impossible: New and Selected Poems 1974-2004 by Paul Hyland and Mischief Night by Roddy Lumsden, along with Joanne Harris’s attempts to tame the short story, Jigs & Reels (Doubleday), does she succeed?

Issue 1 Volume 3 2004 (ISSN 17430380)

Janice Galloway, the Crime Writer, M Y Alam and a retrospective look at the late Spalding Gray. Articles on Thom Gunn, Arvon, Route, A day in the life of comic book editor and a new regular column from the USA. August 2004 reviews of Crimewave 7: The Last Sunset (TTA Press), a look at the short story, Rape Fantasies by Margaret Atwood, the magazine, Cadenza 10, the new novel by Anthony Cropper, Jack and Sal (Route), the literary critcism magazine, CONNECTIONS: Spring 2004 and the must see reading of summer 2004, T. F. Griffin and Tony Flynn at the Flux Gallery, Leeds.

Issue 1 Volume 2 2003/4 (ISSN 17430380)

Roger McGough, and author, Steve Aylett, and readers questions with Hilary Mantel. Articles from The North and combating writers block with Roselle Angwin. A day in the life of PBS’s Julia Bird. May 2004 reviews of three new collections, Peter Lewin’s Silverdale (Kendal Press), Bruce Barnes’ Somewhere Else (Utisgutu Press) and Nell Farrell’s The Wrong Evangeline (Panshine Press). We look at Mslexia, Anon, Chapman and The Third Alternative.

Issue 1 Volume 1 2003/4 (ISSN 17430380)

Blake Morrison, Joanne Harris and Anthony Cropper. Articles on Writing My Way Through Cancer, The Truth About Poetry Readings, Anon’s and The Slab’s first editorial. Rennie Parker’s Open Letter on Poetry Competitions. February 2004 reviews of Velocity: Best of Apples & Snakes (Black Spring Press 2003), fifty-fifty: Fifty Poems from Fifty Years of the Poetry Library 1953-2003 (South Bank Centre), The North 33 (Poetry Business 2003) and Aesthetica: A Review of Contemporary Artists – Issue 4 (Federico & Donley 2003).