Opinion

Here I comment on a wide range of issues from education to politics, the arts and more. I welcome lively and opinionated debate, so please leave your comments.

  • Four Things I Learnt from Watching the Stage Version of North by Northwest

    I just published a blog about the stage version of North by Northwest at Alexandra Palace—and how it reimagines the Hitchcock classic as a theatrical ballet of identity, storytelling, and existential suspense. I’ve watched the film countless times, but this adaptation helped me see it in a whole new way. With a minimalist set (four revolving doors, a few suitcases), 1950s jazz and soul in place of Herrmann’s score, and a narrator-ringmaster who plays “Simon Says” with the audience, it’s smart, funny, and surprisingly moving. The production doesn’t parody the film—it honours it. But it also updates it. Eve Kendall is transformed into a politically astute Kennedy-esque figure; Roger Thornhill is less slick, more vulnerable. There’s a deeper emotional heart, a sharper critique of Cold War paranoia, and even a nod to Heidegger’s Dasein—we’re all thrown into roles we didn’t choose. It made me reflect on performance, surveillance, masculinity, and freedom—in the 1950s and now. If you’re curious about theatre, adaptation, or just love North by Northwest, I hope the blog’s worth a read. Let me know your thoughts—and whether you think this deserves a West End transfer too. #NorthByNorthwest #Theatre #Adaptation #Hitchcock #AllyPally #Existentialism #StageCraft #BlogPost

  • Publishing as Pedagogy: Why Creative Writers and Teachers Need to Understand the Industry

    In this article, I explore why knowledge of the publishing industry is essential for both creative writers and educators. Drawing on my experience teaching publishing to MA students, I argue that understanding how books are produced, marketed, and circulated can empower writers and transform the way we teach creative writing. This piece is both a call to action and a practical guide for integrating publishing literacy into the creative writing classroom.

  • Digital storytelling, translation and publishing

    In an era of rapid digital transformation, storytelling, translation, and publishing are evolving in unprecedented ways. This article delves into the power of digital storytelling as a tool for inclusivity and multilingual expression while critically examining the role of AI in publishing and its potential biases. Drawing on Federico Ivanier’s novel, Never Tell Anyone Your Name (Ediciones Santillana, Montevideo, 2023), the piece explores the complexities of online identity and security, linking them to the responsibilities of writers as reflective practitioners. Emphasizing the importance of research, compassion, and self-care in writing, the article highlights how storytelling can be a means of healing and deep engagement with the world. Whether you’re an author, educator, or translator, this article provides valuable insights into navigating the modern literary landscape with awareness and integrity.

  • Using publishing tools to create thriving creative writing communities and cultures

    Publishing isn’t just about books—it’s about shaping identity, community, and activism. This blog explores how the MA Creative Writing and Education at Goldsmiths uses publishing as a pedagogical tool, from internal dialogues between the Writer, Publisher, and Healer within us, to global projects like GlobalGRACE and Creative Voices, which use storytelling, theatre, and art to amplify marginalised voices. Discover how publishing extends beyond the page to empower writers, challenge dominant narratives, and foster creative communities. Read more about how publishing can be a process of transformation, resistance, and education.