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Continuing the tradition from the summers of 2017 and 2018, Crossing the Tees Book Festival launched its third short story competition and attracted over a hundred spectacular entries from writers nationwide. With no specified theme again this year, everyone’s imaginations were once more freed to create a richly varied collection of thoughtful and downright entertaining stories. This anthology presents the winner, runners-up, and highly commended stories, as judged by Rob Scragg (author), Amy Lord (author) and Carol McIntosh (librarian), as well as the rest of the short-listed entries. Paperback, 238 pages, RRP £10 ISBN 978-1-912218-75-2 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, December 2019
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In the summer of 2017, the Crossing the Tees Book Festival invited local writers to enter its first short story competition. With the theme, ‘Crossing the Tees’, the competition struck a beautiful chord and elicited almost a hundred entries that varied from whimsical ponderings to poignant memories, from fantastical tales to gritty commentaries on life in Teesside.
This anthology celebrates the winner, runners-up, and highly commended stories, as judged by Becci Sharrock, John Nicholson and Mark Freeman, as well as the rest of the short-listed entries.
“Brilliantly written creative reimaginings of a region rich in writing talent.” Tracey Iceton, Writer in Residence
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Poems from Teesside Primary Schools Two hundred and fifty years ago Middlesbrough-born James Cook sailed around the world on HMS Endeavour on a voyage of scientific discovery. In this anniversary year, the T-Junction poetry festival is celebrating Teesside's long international history by focusing on travel and discovery. As part of the festival, children in local primary schools have been writing their own poems about exploration and adventure, inspired by poets Bob Beagrie, Andy Willoughby, Julie Hogg, Chris Stewart, Harry Man, Natalie Scott and Andy Croft.
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What if Sherlock Holmes, with his dry wit and natural predilection for data, deduction and logic, had been born on Teesside and lived in present-day Middlesbrough? This smart-arse Boro lad hides his talents under a bushell of misdirection, self-deprecation and good old Teesside sarcasm, served up with some rather coarse language. With the assistance of his associate, Doctor John Watson, a psychologist he met during some court-ordered counselling sessions, Holmes wends his way through a string of adventures, baffling and entertaining as he goes, with many a three-pint problem solved over his favourite libation, a pint of Engineer’s Thumb in the Twisted Lip, before he staggers back to Flat 1B, 22 Baker Street, Middlesbrough. Paperback, 238 pages, RRP £9.99 ISBN 978-1-908299-81-9 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, November 2015
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Another six adventures featuring Boro’s greatest detective. When Sherlock Holmes is pulled from Flat 1B, 22 Baker Street, to be thrown into Holme House prison, his only hope of release sits squarely on the shoulders of Doctor John Watson. As Watson does his utmost to free his friend, he becomes wracked with uncertainty. Does he really know Holmes? Is Holmes innocent of the crime? Can he get him out? Of course he can… otherwise this would be a very short book. Volume 2 sees our heroes embroiled in more intriguing mysteries. Armed only with logic, deduction and copious amounts of alcohol, they investigate the cases that have the police of Middlesbrough perplexed, edging slowly closer to a final confrontation with destiny. Who is the mysterious Professor and what are his plans for our Holmes? Paperback, 282 pages, RRP £9.99 ISBN 978-1-908299-96-3 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, November 2016
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Home on the Range is an enthralling and often poignant account of life in Billingham during the 1950s and 60s.
Susan Lewis CBE tells of growing up during a time when the tranquillity of the small village is transformed into the hustle and bustle of an industrial town by the chemical giant ICI.
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In June 2019, Lisette Auton and Sara Gibbeson took part in the Crossing the Tees Book Festival as Poet-in-Residence and Illustrator-in-Residence. The Festival is in its sixth year and takes place in libraries across the five boroughs which make up the Tees Valley. Over the course of the festival fortnight Lisette and Sara attended events, held workshops and masterclasses, worked in schools and scribbled incessantly. This collection is the culmination of their work together and includes some of the poetry produced by our incredibly talented Tees Valley pupils. The Ink Flows Poetry Collection, as part of Crossing the Tees Book Festival, has been made possible due to generous funding by the five borough library services, Arts Council England and Northern Festival of Illustration. Paperback, 58 pages, RRP £9.99 ISBN 978-1-912218-71-4 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, December 2019
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Thinking of writing a book? It’s not all chat shows, award ceremonies and copious amounts of booze – except for the copious amounts of booze. Join My Only Boro author Will Nett as he deals with his stratospheric new-found success – he was on local radio, y’know – and embarks upon ‘difficult second book phase’. Stuck for new subject matter, and holding down a series of menial jobs in order to collect new material, he becomes embroiled in a peculiar world of yo-yo dieting, backyard boxing bouts, and religious cults. It’s a wonder he has time for punch-ups on the streets of Paris, upsetting Eurovision song contest winners, and arranging a parking space for potential Prime Ministers… but could he turn any of it into a book? Paperback, 152 pages, RRP £9.99 ISBN 978-1-912218-37-0 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, June 2018
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Minneapolis Reign: An Unofficial Guide to Prince’s Hometown NEW 2nd Edition Order now at www.minneapolisreign.com The sudden death of legendary rock musician Prince Rogers Nelson on April 21st 2016 sent shockwaves around the world. One year on, Stuart Willoughby, a fan from the north east of England, made a four thousand mile pilgrimage to Prince’s hometown of Minneapolis in an attempt to understand the life and work of this seminal artist. Arriving in the U.S. in the anniversary week of Prince’s passing, Stuart found himself on an incredible adventure that brought him closer to Prince than he ever could have imagined. Part travel guide and part biography, this is one Prince fan’s emotional account of an incredible journey he felt compelled to make in honour of his musical hero. “The Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson is not affiliated, associated, or connected with Minneapolis Reign: An Unofficial Guide to Prince’s Hometown, nor has it endorsed, authenticated or sponsored Minneapolis Reign: An Unofficial Guide to Prince’s Hometown. Further, The Prince Estate has not licensed any of its intellectual property to Minneapolis Reign: An Unofficial Guide to Prince’s Hometown.” Paperback, RRP £14.99 ISBN 978-1-912218-40-0 Originally published by Sixth Element Publishing, November 2017 2nd Edition published by Sixth Element Publishing, October 2018
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My Only Boro is not just about Middlesbrough Football Club, it’s not just a history book about the town and it’s not just a social commentary on a town once described as the worst place to live in Britain – it’s all this and more. “A must read for Boro fans, memories of the good old days that we long to return to, and all you non-footy fans will love it as well. It’s witty and fun to read, a real blast from the past.” Bernie Slaven, Boro Legend Paperback, 176 pages, RRP £8.99 ISBN 978-1-908299-22-2 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, December 2011
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Tough industries, warm people and beautiful Yorkshire! All this went into the mix that made me the person I am today. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. In this lovely little book, Marilyn Jordan explores life in all its wonderful facets, with entertaining, witty and strikingly observant verse, each poem illustrated beautifully with its own charisma-filled painting. Paperback, 42 pages, RRP £9.99 ISBN 978-1-912218-15-8 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, December 2017
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The brand new book from Roy Chubby Brown & George Proudman. How many times do you hear someone say, “aye, the old jokes are the best,” or “there’s nothing like an old joke.” Well, here’s a book load of them, together with a handful of tall stories. Now, don’t you be complaining ‘cos I’m sure you’ve said it yourself. Anyway look on the bright side, if you found it funny the first time then you should laugh at it again. On the other hand, you might not have got it when you heard it the first time, so, on the other hand… oh, that’s three hands, isn’t it? Well, on the other bollock, you might just think the joke’s a load of shit and not funny at all. You see, you can’t please all of the people all of the time… by there aren’t half some miserable bastards out there. Paperback, 190 pages, RRP £9.99 ISBN 978-1-912218-12-7 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, November 2017
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Crime has a new enemy… and it never saw him coming. When Robert Jones awoke with yet another monster hangover in his house in Teesside, he could never have imagined that within just a few hours his life would change forever. Kidnappings, the murderous attentions of a midget set on revenge and the world’s largest bank heist are just the beginning. But, the pandemonium all around, Rob is oblivious, his focus fixed firmly on his blossoming relationship with an extremely seductive vacuum cleaner. However, there’s one small problem, Rob is a robot and he’s missing a vital component. The Boro Phallacy is a frenetic, fast-paced and funny crime thriller told through the eyes of two unlikely heroes whose love of Crocodile Dundee knows no bounds. Paperback, 276 pages, RRP £9.99 ISBN 978-1-908299-94-9 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, September 2016
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Everyone thinks they can play golf. Will Nett is no different. How hard could it be? Get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. Having had one of his best worst ideas yet, Will Nett takes to the fairways in an attempt to master the most absurd of sports. Garishly outfitted, and armed with nothing more than a set of ladies’ clubs and a bad temper, he becomes immersed in the game, and all its infuriating foibles. Many a walk is spoiled as he chases the white ball through the gardens and washing lines of Hull, the vaudeville-steeped music halls of Victorian England, and the Arctic Circle. Join him on the first tee as he blunders from clubhouse to classroom and everywhere in‑between as he reaches for the pars… and misses. Paperback, 162 pages, RRP £9.99 ISBN 978-1-912218-73-8 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, December 2019
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OUT NOW The winning entries from the first Sixth Element We Are Boro short story competition Write about the Boro, we said. Fiction, true life, we didn’t mind, we just wanted to capture the passion, exasperation and true heart of the fans. And that’s exactly what is in this little book. From Ayresome Park to the Riverside, from tomato sauce buns to chicken parmos, from selkies to goblins, working men’s clubs to away games, what comes through in this collection of short-listed short story competition entries is a genuine, deep-rooted, through rain or shine love for the Boro… however well, or otherwise, it’s going on the pitch. Paperback, 182 pages, RRP £6.99 ISBN 978-1-912218-72-1 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, December 2019
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The winning entries from the first Sixth Element We Are Boro short story competition Write about the Boro, we said. Fiction, true life, we didn’t mind, we just wanted to capture the passion, exasperation and true heart of the fans. And that’s exactly what is in this little book. From Ayresome Park to the Riverside, from tomato sauce buns to chicken parmos, from selkies to goblins, working men’s clubs to away games, what comes through in this collection of short-listed short story competition entries is a genuine, deep-rooted, through rain or shine love for the Boro… however well, or otherwise, it’s going on the pitch.
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The winning entries from the first Sixth Element We Are Boro short story competition Write about the Boro, we said. Fiction, true life, we didn’t mind, we just wanted to capture the passion, exasperation and true heart of the fans. And that’s exactly what is in this little book. From Ayresome Park to the Riverside, from tomato sauce buns to chicken parmos, from selkies to goblins, working men’s clubs to away games, what comes through in this collection of short-listed short story competition entries is a genuine, deep-rooted, through rain or shine love for the Boro… however well, or otherwise, it’s going on the pitch.
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Ever wish you could just go somewhere else? In this, his third book, David Smith invites you to visit places near and far, journey back into childhood and reflect on the passage of time. This wildly eclectic collection of poetry sings with melancholy, humour, wistful reflection and evocative insight, provoking a wide range of emotions from page to page. Written in a frugal style that makes for a rare accessibility to inner meaning, this is a thought-provoking and immensely readable collection of poems. Includes the poem, Cameraria Ohridella, shortlisted for the Strokestown International Prize at the Strokestown International Poetry Festival, Roscommon, Ireland, 2016. Paperback, 64 pages, RRP £6.99 ISBN 978-1-908299-90-1 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, July 2016
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No courier job too small, no pest control problem too big. Strange goings on? Customers getting spooked? Paranormal crime gone unsolved? You need Brennan and Riz on the case.
Ever wonder what Fae creatures, ghosts and goblins inhabit our abandoned buildings, riversides and hills, even lurking in the tunnels beneath our high streets? They’re not all troublesome and most jobs pay well… but for paranormal detective and other-worldly trouble-shooter Brennan and his best friend Riz, a talking rat with a penchant for Rune magic, a greater, darker danger is never far behind.
Based on real folklore and real locations, combined with witty characters and a dry dynamic between Brennan and Riz, these short stories from Peter James Martin are packed with the familiar and the unusual.
Brennan and Riz stories are available as Kindle singles or as eBook collections, with stories #1 to #10 also available as a paperback collection.
Buy now or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
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This book, chronicling the life of Captain James Cook, is an historical novel in two volumes, Vol. 1 The Yorkshire Mariner and Vol. 2 Three voyages of Discovery.
The story is told within the framework of what is known via the historical record, with the central theme throughout being his personal life, that is his relationships with parents, siblings, friends, employers, mentors, and his wife and children. Explored in detail are Cook’s leisure activities, his early schooling, the year in Staithes when he was a shop boy, and his apprenticeship as a seaman then Master in Whitby on ships carrying coal from Newcastle to London. Aged 29, Cook joined the Royal Navy. Two years later he married and settled in London. A professional mariner and navigator, he made three vastly important voyages of discovery. Going where no man had gone before, he navigated and surveyed the Pacific Ocean, south to the Antarctic and north to the Arctic. While Cook was at sea, the author describes what life was like for his wife and children.
One of those remarkable seamen who explored unknown territories, Cook is worthy of his place in history and ought to be remembered as a pioneer in chart making and cartography.
eBook RRP £4.99
Published by Sixth Element Publishing, October 2017
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This book, chronicling the life of Captain James Cook, is an historical novel in two volumes, Vol. 1 The Yorkshire Mariner and Vol. 2 Three voyages of Discovery. The story is told within the framework of what is known via the historical record, with the central theme throughout being his personal life, that is his relationships with parents, siblings, friends, employers, mentors, and his wife and children. Explored in detail are Cook’s leisure activities, his early schooling, the year in Staithes when he was a shop boy, and his apprenticeship as a seaman then Master in Whitby on ships carrying coal from Newcastle to London. Aged 29, Cook joined the Royal Navy. Two years later he married and settled in London. A professional mariner and navigator, he made three vastly important voyages of discovery. Going where no man had gone before, he navigated and surveyed the Pacific Ocean, south to the Antarctic and north to the Arctic. While Cook was at sea, the author describes what life was like for his wife and children. One of those remarkable seamen who explored unknown territories, Cook is worthy of his place in history and ought to be remembered as a pioneer in chart making and cartography. eBook RRP £4.99 Published by Sixth Element Publishing, October 2017
