The Amplify Project

01/02/2024

Job opportunity. The Alfred Fagon award is expanding the team! We’re looking for a part-time, Freelance Administrator to work alongside our Creative Producer, Pauline Walker. 15 days a year. See our website for details of how to apply -

We’re recruiting – Part-time Freelance Administrator Posted on 1st February 2024 The Alfred Fagon award is expanding the team. We’re looking for a part-time, Freelance Administrator to work alongside our Creative Producer, Pauline Walker. The Alfred Fagon Award is the UK’s leading award for ...

21/12/2023

Screenwriter and playwright, Theresa Ikoko, joins our host for ep 10, S2. Theresa shares her journey from winning awards for her first theatre play to writing for the screen.
“I've tried to do in all my work, just spending time with the characters and letting the characters' voices lead. I get to know them first before the story unveils. I write for very much from a place of character. The characters are in charge. There are things that I would like my characters to do. There are easier decisions or better decisions that I would like my characters to make that they just won't and they can't. I couldn't force my characters to say or do anything that they wouldn't say or do. I think it would break the world. I think it would rip the seams of it if I started doing that.”
Listen here: www.theamplifyproject.co.uk/writers/theresa-ikoko/

15/12/2023

New episode. New episode. Leone Ross is a novelist, short story writer, editor and educator.

“Speculative fiction. I think it is who I am. I build worlds on things that annoy me. It is usually some kind of injustice, small or large. It's like taking a kernel of injustice and then beginning to extrapolate from that into characters, amplifying magical experiences or strangeness that then act as metaphors for the point, for the theme.”
Listen here: www. theamplifyproject.co.uk/writers/leone-ross/

15/12/2023

New episode. Leone Ross is a novelist, short story writer, editor and educator.
“Speculative fiction. I think it is who I am. I build worlds on things that annoy me. It is usually some kind of injustice, small or large. It's like taking a kernel of injustice and then beginning to extrapolate from that into characters, amplifying magical experiences or strangeness that then act as metaphors for the point, for the theme.”
Listen here: www. theamplifyproject.co.uk/writers/leone-ross/

26/10/2023

♦️ New Episode ♦️

Excited to share our latest episode, 'Mind Mapping' featuring Patrice Lawrence, author of award-winning children and YA books, Orangeboy, Indigo Donut, Eight Pieces of Silver to name a few.

During the conversation, Patrice discusses her passion for crime novels and how she got into writing.

"I love children’s books ...I get quite frustrated that there was still almost like a hierarchy with literary writing at the top and children’s books at the bottom". Patrice goes on to discuss why writing for children and young adults is important as "I think we’re not only creating the future readers, we’re creating the future writers."

Tune into this latest episode to hear more on this discussion.



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24/10/2023

Margaret Busby was Britain's youngest and first Black female book publisher, co-founding the London based publishing house Allison & Busby in the 1960s, with Clive Allison.

In 1992, she edited Daughters of Africa and its 2019 follow up, New Daughters of Africa - an international anthology of writing by women of African descent published by Penguin.

To find out what inspired her to start her career in publishing tune into the latest episode of The Amplify Project which also features Verna Wilkins and Susheila Nasta.

We have one copy of the New Daughters of Africa anthology to give away. To enter this competition, like this post and let us know in the comments the title of the Black History Month special episode this clip was taken from. A winner will be selected at random on 31.10. 23.

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19/10/2023

Wasafiri is the UK’s leading magazine for international contemporary writing. The name stems from the Kiswahili word for ‘travellers’ reflecting the magazine’s longstanding engagement with cultural travelling, diverse histories and commitment to extending boundaries of literary culture.

With its roots emerging from the Association for the Teaching of Caribbean, African, Asian and Associated Literatures (ATCAL), Wasafiri was launched in 1984 by co-founder Susheila Nasta. Their vision is to provide literary and critical coverage of writers from African, Caribbean, Asian and Black British backgrounds who often struggle to get adequate attention in the mainstream press.

During our Black History Month podcast special episode, Titans of Black British Publishing, featuring Susheila, Margaret Busby and Verna Wilkins, we unearthed some fascinating insights into the birth and early development of this magazine which, 40 years on, and in an increasingly divided world, continues to provoke vital cross-cultural dialogue.

For more fascinating facts and anecdotes about some of the pioneers of Black British Publishing, download our latest episode.



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17/10/2023

We set up The Amplify Project to help champion the Black British canon by amplifying the works and voices of writers for the page, stage, and screen.

Nearly three years on, our platform is growing but, there's still much for us to do. And, in order to help us expand and develop our platform, we're applying to become a charity.

So to all our listeners and followers, we'd appreciate if you could spare two minutes to complete this short survey. Your feedback will provide us with valuable data and insight to support our application to become a registered charity.

🔗 Here's the link: https://buff.ly/46yBSun - the survey is very short and will take less than two minutes to complete.

Thank you!

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16/10/2023

Titans of Black British Publishing highlights three epic women who, for over half a century, helped shape the ecology of publishing in this country.

This Black History Month special features Margaret Busby, co-founder of Allison & Busby; Susheila Nasta founding editor of Wasafari, and Verna Wilkins who founded Tamarind Books in 1987.

Following a conversation with her 5-year old son, Verna identified a lack of diversity in children's books. So, she decided to do something about it. Verna set up a desk on the landing of their home and got to work. Thus Tamarind was born.

Included amongst the plethora of books, two of Tamarind's most well-known titles include The Life of Stephen Lawrence and Dave & The Tooth Fairy.

Because of her vision and passion, Verna's son can see himself reflected in the pages of a book.

The full episode is available to download from all major podcasting platforms.



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12/10/2023

For Black History Month, we have created a special edition of our podcast.

Titans of Black British Publishing is a celebration of three amazing women - Margaret Busby, Susheila Nasta and Verna Wilkins. For over half a century, these women wrote, published, edited, and curated seminal texts, blazing a trail for today's writers.

If today global majority writers have to be increasingly resilient, these women have lessons that we can all learn from. We talk to them about literary activism, teaching literature, their contribution to the publishing industry and the future of publishing for Black British and South Asian writers.

This is a rare opportunity to delve into the lives of women who dedicated decades to championing the work and voices of Black British and South Asian writers.

The Amplify Project's episode of Titans of Black British Publishing is available to download from all major streaming platforms. Alternatively, visit our website.



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05/10/2023

The latest episode in our podcast series "Cyclical Evolution" featuring guest writer Newland launches today.

In this fascinating and inspirational discussion, we join the journey and evolution of this rapper and music producer who went on to be an award-winning writer for the stage, page and screen. Tune in, and be immersed in a conversation that will take on a multi-genre journey which starts with Dub before moving onto Lovers Rock via Sci Fi and Afrofuturism.



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22/09/2023

🤩 As well as being an award-winning poet and playwright, Inua Ellams is a curator of many literary extravaganzas and events.

🗣 During our recent conversation, Inua told us about the various initiatives he’s hosted over the years. The first R.A.P. Party is an event created to celebrate page, performance, spoken word and hip-hop poets in the same space. And there’s Poetry Film Hack. This is where poets he’s commissioned use poetry to respond to a film screening. We also got the back story to the legendary Midnight Run which initially began as a way of teaching and sharing his poetry with other people. It has since expanded and evolved to include multiple artforms.

💡 Always looking to experiment and innovate, and with a range of projects under his belt, Inua took the bold step to gather all his curatorial experience under one umbrella. The result is O5 Festival, and the next iteration takes place at Barbican 26 - 30 Sept.

📚 We’re hyped and looking to the opening event Redacted! where the line-up of guest poets and every member of the audience gets to turn a page from a book, newspaper or magazine into a new poem and then share it!

🎙Listen to the full episode of Icarus’ Wings featuring Inua Ellams // Word & Graphic Artist It’s available to download from all major podcasting platforms. Or click the link in our bio.

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21/09/2023

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🗣"During an interview, I was asked if I could save a book, which would I save, and I chose the catalogue. I explained that when I was a kid in Nigeria, my father brought these back because he couldn't afford the toys he really wanted to buy us, so he would show us his intentions.

My sisters and I would construct these incredible stories from the pictures of toys we didn't have. And that is the playfulness, the imagination that imbibed our family with the belief... to see beyond your reality."

Listen to the full conversationn in our latest podcast with Inua Ellams // Word & Graphic Artist

Which book would you save? Comment below.

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02/09/2023

What is the one book that 'opened your world'?
Our latest guest, crime writer Dreda Say Mitchell tells us hers.

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01/09/2023

Thanks for the fabulous feedback we’ve received for our latest podcast episode ‘Honouring Oracy’ with Dreda Say Mitchell

If you haven’t tuned into the conversation yet, you’re in for a treat! Not only does Dreda cite the importance of oral stories as a source of inspiration for launching her writing career, she also talks at length about the hot topic of self-publishing.

So, you’re thinking about going down the digital publishing route, this podcast for you!

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31/08/2023

🚨 New Episode Alert

🗣 Featuring award-winning, international best-selling crime writer Dreda Say Mitchell, our latest podcast episode ‘Honouring Oracy’ starts with her explaining how growing up in the East End of London in the 1970s nurtured her passion for storytelling.

💬… it started with my dad's friends who used to come around on a Friday night playing dominoes and while they're playing dominoes, they're telling these exaggerated stories. And you just used to listen to the stories that they told, the characters they invented, the way they told the story, such drama and suspense.”

✍🏾 During the conversation we learn just how prolific Dreda and her co-writer and life-partner Ryan are and how self-publishing could be a huge plus for writers and creatives.

✅ Join the conversation...tune in now.

Dreda Say Mitchell


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21/08/2023

A piece of advice from Ben Tagoe, the guest writer featured in our latest podcast episode 'The Practical Optimist".

💬...make it easy for yourself. If you're writing something for TV, write something that's half an hour. If you want to write for a slot, don't write a feature film of 120-pages. Give yourself something you can finish a first draft, because in my book, once you've written a first draft you can call yourself a writer".

The Amplify Project - a platform for authentic, enlightening conversations that bridge the gap between readers and authors.

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17/08/2023

💥Tune into the latest episode of The Amplify Project – a platform for authentic, enlightening conversations that bridge the gap between readers and authors. This week our hosts Pauline Walker and Patricia Cumper sit down with stage and screenwriter Ben Tagoe.

✍🏾 Ben’s extensive list of writing credits include Coronation Street (ITV), Doctors (BBC) EastEnders (BBC), Emmerdale (ITV), and Stan Lee’s Lucky Man (Sky 1). He’s also been nominated for various awards including a BAFTA for CBBC’s Jamie Johnson

🎭For the stage, Ben’s plays include When We Were Brothers, The Thing About Psychopaths and Cold Turkey at Nana’s. His current is receiving rave reviews at .

🗣In this fascinating conversation we learn how, after a “sliding doors moment” Ben ends up at an open mic night. He was so inspired; he gave up his job to enrol on a creative writing course. That was 20 years ago, and he’s not looked back since.

This real-life hero’s journey is a fascinating conversation and a must for established and inspiring creative writers everywhere.

Ben Tagoe


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16/08/2023

This week’s guest writer Ben Tagoe is currently at with his 5* theatre play, .

In our latest podcast, being released tomorrow, you’ll hear how, after a “sliding doors moment”, Ben was inspired to leave a comfortable career to pursue his ambitions. A decision which resulted in him becoming a BAFTA nominated writer for stage and TV.

This real-life hero’s journey is a fascinating conversation and a must for established and aspiring creative writers everywhere. And, if you’re a fan of soap operas… make sure you tune in!

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14/08/2023

A reminder that words have the ability to inspire, transform and educate.

Tune in to the full conversation with YA Writer, Dean Atta on our latest podcast 'Claiming His Tick Box'. Available to download from all major podcasting platforms.

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12/08/2023

"... The Amplify Project provides a platform for authentic, enlightening conversations that bridge the gap between readers and authors." TAP Co-host, Pauline Walker

📸 (c) Myah Jeffers

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11/08/2023

💬 ”…maybe it’s a generational thing of like, don’t get boxed in. But I actually like this box. There’s so much I can do in it. And, if I want to branch out, I will.” YA writer, Dean Atta

Tune into the to the full conversation. Available to download from all major podcast platforms.

Alternatively, you can tune in via our website.

With thanks to our partners:
Talawa Presents Writers' Centre Peepal Tree Press Spread the Word New Writing South


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10/08/2023

📣💥 We’re delighted to introduce our latest guest, YA writer Dean Atta 💥.📣

Dean spent over 10 years on the spoken word circuit when, in 2012, his poem ‘I Am Nobody's Nigger’ went viral on social media and propelled his writing career.

In ‘Claiming His Tick Box’ we learn why, rather than steer away from it, Dean embraces writing Black Q***r stories.

Tune into the latest episode of The Amplify Project – a platform for authentic, enlightening conversations that bridge the gap between readers and authors.

Available to download from all major podcasting platforms. Alternatively, listen here: https://buff.ly/3OOKoPz





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09/08/2023

✨ 🎧 Grab your headphones and catch up on our latest episodes 🎙✨

We've released two podcasts from Series 2 so far.

✅ Ep 1 'The Malleable Storyteller' with Yomi Ṣode is a fascinating insight into this multi-talented writer.

✅ Ep 2 'Climbing The Racial Mountain' with is a deep reflection of the life and work of one of the UK's most prolific playwrights.

📅 And being released on Thu 10 Aug, Ep 3 "Claiming His Tick Box' with YA writer, .

Later in the series, we'll be speaking with Ben Tagoe whose outstanding play, Better Days is at the until 26 August.

Plus, stay tuned for future guests:
Inua Ellams // Word & Graphic Artist
Patrice Lawrence
Dreda Say Mitchell

And our Black History Month Special, The Titans of Publishing.

The Amplify Project - a platform for authentic, enlightening conversations that bridge the gap between readers and authors.

Download all episodes now. Available on all major podcasting platforms or visit our website by clicking the link in our bio.



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08/08/2023

The beautiful game and theatre have a narrative structure. In both cases, there is a build up climax, and resolution.

Then there's the emotional rollercoaster. Just like that, you can shift from happiness to sadness, laughter to tears, joy to despair, or from hope to frustration. Plus, the reactions of a football crowd or theatre audience can enhance your experience. Take collective applause. This can contribute to the overall atmosphere, making the experience more immersive.

And, in football the predicted outcome of a match can switch in a single pass made by one player. In theatre, the dynamic of the play can change in one well-scripted line by the playwright.

So yes, we agree with .

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🎙 Listen to the full conversation S2, Ep 2 on The Amplify Writers podcast. Available to download on all major platforms now.

Or visit our website 🔗https://buff.ly/30iFdAF

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04/08/2023

Roy Williams on writing for characters outside of your own experience.

One character, a white-working class man living in post-Brexit Britain, was co-written with Clint Dyer and features in the Death of England trilogy presented by The National Theatre, is a metaphor for the United Kingdom at a time when lots of people were asking, “who are we”?

The full podcast is available to download now on all major podcasting platforms. Or visit our website.

03/08/2023

💥 In Ep 2 of the current series, our latest guest writer, playwright Roy Samuel Williams discusses his early career and how, after reading an article by American poet Langston Hughes, he was inspired to fully take up the mantle of Black writer.

💬 “A young black man approached Langston Hughes and said… I really admire your work. I want to be like you. I want to be a poet, but I don't want to be a Black poet, I just want to be A poet. And Mr. Hughes turned on the guy and said, why do you wanna do that?”

🎧 Listen to the full conversation by downloading our latest episode ‘Climbing The Racial Mountain’ with Roy Williams brought to you by The Amplify Project, a podcast platforming Black British writers in their own words. Available on all major podcasting platforms or click this link https://buff.ly/43SljaE




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02/08/2023

✨Following the launch last week, we’re delighted to announce the next episode in our new series features one of the UK’s most recognised Black British playwrights, Roy Williams.

📅 The episode titled ‘Climbing The Racial Mountain’ is a real eye-opener into his life, career and writing is being released tomorrow.

📚 Roy’s passion for reading began early. As a child, he would regularly be found in the mobile library which each week visited the estate where he lived.

💬 “I just I just read, read, read and read.” And it was this, that inspired him to write.

🎧 The Amplified Project - a podcast amplifying the voices of Black British Writers is available on your favourite podcasting platform. Make sure you subscribe to be notified when new episodes are released.


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