Title Literature Officer
Organisation Essex County Council
How long in post? 2 years
Phone 01245 436759
Email malcolm.burgess@essexcc.gov.uk
What does your organisation do?
Essex Cultural Services develops Arts and Sports across the county; my department, Literature Development, develops and promotes writers, writing and reading.
What does you job involve?
I work with both established and aspiring writers across all genres to bring their work to new and existing audiences and provide professional advice, training and funding opportunities. This includes publishing a monthly literature newsletter which reaches over 4,000 users. Literature Development takes a lead in partnership writing projects and countywide events, including the annual Essex Book Festival ? the East of England?s biggest writing festival ? Live Writing! for young people and the Fresh Talent mentoring scheme. We help develop Essex?s growing reputation as a centre of vibrant and innovative writing.
Who did you used to work for?
I used to work for HarperCollins as marketing manager, creating campaigns for a wide range of writers from Jeffery Archer to Doris Lessing. I?ve also lectured in further education in English and Media, and written features and series for a number of national newspapers and magazines.
What do you like most about your present job?
I really love making a difference to the Essex writing scene, working with some fantastic partners and grabbing opportunities. It?s great to discover excellent new writers and develop their audiences.
What is most difficult in your present post?
Some of the still byzantine and inward-looking ways of local government ? like being at the Court of Fu Manchu. Also over-corporatised regional arts organisations that care more about their profile than their artists.
What is your career ambition?
To carry on burning with a hard, gem-like flame and to have more time to write and develop my own Live Literature projects.
Who has most influenced your career to date?
The late Mike Cheyne, brilliant marketing director at HarperCollins, who was a real enabler and empowerer before it became a feelgood cliché. He gave you rope but not to hang yourself.
If you could have done any job, what would it be?
Written a piercing weekly column for the New Yorker while drinking several dry martinis.
If you had three wishes for the future of the arts, what would they be?
? More money (of course)
? More respect ? we?re the cake, not the icing
? More art as art ? not just regeneration