The Journal Culture Awards

Friday 30 November is the deadline for your votes. As we've seen various other organisations suggesting that people can vote for them, I thought I'd give us a little plug in case any of you were considering a vote... but looking at the website, I discovered that Newcomer of the Year has to be an 'artist' rather than a company. Shame, because we were certain we'd win. A friend of mine sent me a text message the other day saying he was voting for Tonto as Newcomer of the Year because we 'gave books a kick up the a*se', so at least the judges at The Journal will get a laugh out of the process.

Tonto Press has published two deserving newcomers this year Pete Tanton who won Tonto New Novelist competition and Mark Jones who wrote The Burglar's Dog, so if you fancy voting for them, you can do so by clicking here.

I think celebrating the arts (especially in our own region) is a good thing. It would be great to see some writers get a mention or some of the many literature events that are now happening in the North East.


Stu