BBC man gives masterclass to young writers

A group of aspiring young writers received some top tips last Saturday (April 2nd) from BBC Radio 2 presenter Stuart Maconie.

The Worsley Mesnes born broadcaster and journalist returned to Wigan Borough to take part in annual literature festival Words.

Maconie, formerly Assistant Editor at the NME and regular contributor to Q magazine, gave a masterclass in music writing to twenty-five young people at the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh.

During the event, Maconie ran the rule over several album reviews prepared by the young attendees in advance of the workshop, giving a host of useful tips on the construction of music articles and a fascinating insight into the reality of life at the very top of the music writing industry.

After the event, Maconie said: "I was genuinely impressed and surprised by the standard of the young people's writing. I've read a lot of unsolicited reviews over the years and these were better than average.

"Music journalism is a notoriously difficult industry to break into but I'm sure some of the young people at this workshop can make a career out of it - if they want it bad enough."

Young people from across Wigan Borough attended the masterclass, most being members of the Wigan Music Collective or contributors to quarterly youth magazine The LINC.

Participant Chris Skoyles, 20, from Lowton, said: "I really enjoyed the workshop and it was great to get some tips from someone that has written for the top music magazines. He gave a lot of really useful, practical tips showing just how much attention to detail goes into being a top music writer."

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Notes to editors

Further Information For further information please contact Kennedy Stewart, Young People's Press Officer for Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, on (01942) 488496.

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