Tom Ward

British writer and graduate of Newcastle University, recently named the recipient of the Norman Mailer Student Writing Award 2012, in conjunction with British GQ

University introduced me to writers I would never have read of my own accord. Sam Selvon, Angela Carter, Ballard etc etc. By now I was actively searching out writers. I loved Buk, so wanted to read Fante and Celine. McCarthy was a hero and Patrick DeWitt filled the gap that McCarthy's long-awaited next novel is sure to fill.

Eve Betts

Journalism student, blogger and writer for Forge Press, Liberty Belle Magazine and CarpaMusica

The past few weeks have actually been very exciting. Lauren, Will and I have been made editors of our university newspaper; a slightly stressful procedure which involved standing in front of 100 students and saying as convincingly as possible, that we really are the best of the bestest best people for the role.

Bonnie Greer

American-born, London-based playwright, author and novelist

The loss of Richard Griffiths is a time to remember and to celebrate British acting. In the end, he doesn't need me or you to say that he was a part of a great tradition. Everyone knows that. Maybe bring this tradition up next time you encounter a young actress/actor starting out. Just so they keep it in mind.

Gemma Hurley

Comedy screenwriter and begrudging producer. Red haired and not looking for love?

Do you ever feel when Prince Charles's name comes up, that you must be going slightly mad?

B.J. Epstein

Lecturer in literature and public engagement, University of East Anglia

So, is February LGBT History Month? LGBTQ History Month? LGBTQQIA History Month? Queer History Month? GSM History Month? GAM History Month? Or something else altogether?

Tibs Holland

Comedy person.

We live in a Capitalist society and I've made my peace with this. People sell stuff and people buy stuff - fine. However, I tire of said stuff being peddled by minor celebrities and out of work extras, on my television.

B.J. Epstein

Lecturer in literature and public engagement, University of East Anglia

There some amazing literature published for children and young adults - literature that can and should be read by people of all ages - but besides it being entertaining, moving, disturbing, and educational to read, it is also fascinating to study and discuss.

Sammy Sultan

Social Commentator, Comedian & Aspiring Chat-Show Host

Miriam Margolyes, the actress best known for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter Films has moved to Australia; as many Brits do. However, unl...

Andrew Edney

Owner and Editor of Connected Digital World.com and all round geek

This week saw the release of Book of Spells, the first of Sony's Wonderbook titles. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dave Ranyard and Masami Kochi to talk about the origins and evolution of Wonderbook and where it might be going next.

Charli Radke

Freelance lifestyle, fashion and tech writer

Halloween's roots are difficult to trace, with multiple cultures celebrating festivals with a similar macabre element in the autumn months, but the heart of the holiday's history lies in Celtic Ireland.

Kate Holmes

Musician

All this Jimmy Saville press is making me feel very uneasy. I had a dinner with Alan, my new husband at Chequers just after Blair came to power and straight after the infamous No 10 cocktail Party. I was seated in between Mr Saville and Judy Dench.

Dominic Davenport

Founder and CEO of Escape Studios

I've been working in the VFX (Visual Effects) industry for many years now and I've seen it grow from a world of a few mad scientists, working with rooms of computers and pushing a few pixels around, to legions of artists, animators and programmers all around the world working on the latest blockbusters.

Sean Hewitt

Poet and Writer

But is J.K. Rowling's new book really a new direction, both politically and in terms of her literary output? On the contrary. There's no wonder that the student protests of 2011 featured many Harry Potter inspired slogans.

Preetam Kaushik

Freelance journalist

What if the Lord of the Rings was never made into a trilogy? What if the Harry Potter series never saw a screen audience? If you are one of the many who consider these movies milestones in filmmaking, then you might also agree that these were great books too.

B.J. Epstein

Lecturer in literature and public engagement, University of East Anglia

Amidst all the wonderful British quirkiness at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, there was a sequence dedicated both to the NHS and children's literature. This might seem like a strange combination, but director Danny Boyle linked them through the Great Ormond Street Hospital, which focuses on children's healthcare.

Hannah Ellison

Doctoral researcher and associate tutor in TV Studies at the University of East Anglia

In the wake of 50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James, a current bestselling novel that started life as Twilight fanfiction, questions about are being asked. If the only difference between a piece of fanfiction and a bestselling novel is the changing of character names and places, then is the deletion stories without warning something that should be bigger news?