Residency Presentations: Andy Waugh and Niel Bushnell

Free

Join Writer in Residence Niel Bushnell and Comic Artist in Residence Andrew Waugh as they unveil the finished work of their 7-day residencies at The Word.  Both creators have been tasked with producing a piece of work inspired by The Word and it’s users – Niel has been working towards the creation of two linked short stories and Andrew has been making a non-fiction comic about modern libraries in the UK.

Andy Waugh – Writer in Residence Comic writing

“I intend to create a fun and engaging exploration into the evolving idea of what a library is and can be, using The Word as a case study – part comic reportage, part diary strip.  I want to talk to the people involved – from those who operate The Word to those who use it – and present their thoughts and opinions alongside my own experiences during the residency.  I hope to draw out the more humorous side of the topic and the people I meet and create something that will make them laugh as well as think.”

About Andy Waugh

Andrew Waugh is a Scottish illustrator, cartoonist and arts educator living in north east England. He has a Masters degree in Illustration & Design and has been freelancing as an illustrator for over eight years.  His comics have appeared in a number of national and international anthologies and he has been self-publishing and promoting his own comics for over a decade.  To date he has co-edited two volumes (with a third on the way) of BOO! The Horror Comic For Kids, which was shortlisted for a British Comic Award in 2014.  In addition to his own work, he has taught comics in workshops, summer schools and night classes to everyone from young children to retirees and currently spends his days helping college students develop their own creative ideas.

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Niel Bushnell Writer in Residence

“I want to use my time as a Writer in Residence at The Word to explore the relationship between the building and its location, and to find out what people who use this fantastic building think about it. I want to explore the idea of change, of how a location – or a person – can be split in two by a major event. The building represents the future, but what’s left of the past in the foundations? I want to gather as many stories as I can and use those ideas to create a new piece of fiction inspired by The Word.”

About Niel Bushnell

Niel Bushnell is an author and artist. He has two children’s books published by Andersen Press in the UK called Sorrowline and Timesmith, both are fast paced time-travel adventures that mix elements of fantasy and science fiction with mythology and Arthurian legends. His first novel won the Northern Promise Award in the 2011 Northern Writers’ Awards.

Niel’s books are aimed at boys and girls aged 7 to 14 and upwards. The themes of time travel, action, adventure with elements of fantasy and science fiction make it appealing to older teens as well. History plays a big part in Sorrowline and Timesmith, specifically 1940 and World War Two.

When he’s not writing, or talking about writing, Niel is animating. He’s worked on numerous film and TV projects including The Dumping Ground for CBBC and the Doctor Who DVD range. He lives in Hartlepool with his wife and two daughters. He has completed two stand-alone novels and is working on the third instalment in the Timesmith series.