Welcome to ‘This Is The North’ Podcast, your source of transformative conversations. An intentional challenge to the systems holding back the North of England. Hosted by Alison Dunn, an award-winning charity chief executive and former solicitor. This podcast is supported by Society Matters Community Interest Company and is dedicated to curating and sharing knowledge, powering the change we need for a more equal and inclusive society.

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with the brilliant Ann Cleeves, best known for her globally acclaimed crime fiction. Our conversation covered her journey from an avid library-goer to an award-winning author, and her commitment to the communities she writes about. Ann’s work captures not only the suspense of crime and mystery but also the underlying social issues, empathy, and resilience found in real life. We delved into Ann’s early life, the variety of jobs that shaped her perspective, and her pathway to publication. She shared insights into the importance of authentic settings, drawing on her love for the North East and how it plays a pivotal role in her stories. Ann’s novels, like Raven Black, and her recent bestseller, The Dark Wives, explore complex characters and themes that resonate far beyond the page, touching on real societal issues.

One highlight of our discussion was the Reading for Wellbeing Project, an initiative close to Ann’s heart, which emphasises the mental health and wellbeing benefits of reading for pleasure. We discussed how this project is bringing comfort, community, and mental health support to people through books and shared reading experiences. Ann also shared her thoughts on the challenges libraries face today and the critical need for public funding to keep these invaluable resources alive for future generations.

This conversation with Ann reminded me of the power of storytelling to build connections, honour community roots, and advocate for change. Her stories are more than mysteries; they are reflections of the voices and places that shape us, and they serve as a call to remember the social and educational spaces—like libraries—that nurture and inspire us all.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:22 – Ann's Early Life and Inspirations

03:10 – The Journey to Becoming a Published Author

05:18 – Challenges in the Publishing Industry

08:09 – The Dark Wives

09:58 – Impact of Social Issues on Writing

12:02 – Vera: A Global Phenomenon

14:46 – Adapting Books to Screen

17:07 – The Inspiration Behind Raven Black

17:58 – The Essence of Crime Writing

20:54 – Challenges Facing Libraries Today

26:06 – Reading for Wellbeing Project

32:57 – Upcoming Works and Final Thoughts

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Alison Dunn (Host)

Ann Cleeves (Guest)

Peter Bell (Producer)

This podcast is proudly produced by Purpose Made, committed to driving societal change through shared knowledge and transformative conversations.

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