And to mark World Book Day, on March 4, 2021, we’ve rounded up some Sunderland authors who’ve made their mark in the literary world.
5. Chris Mullin
Former MP Chris Mullin is also a writer who commands respect, even among those who would never dream of voting for him. He first moved to Sunderland when he was elected to represent Sunderland South in 1987, so he easily qualifies as an adopted Mackem. His 1982 novel A Very British Coup was adapted for television twice. But it’s perhaps his diaries and memoirs which are most lauded, across the political spectrum. His three-volume diaries cover the Major, Blair and Brown governments. Not only are they thoroughly absorbing and well-written, they’re also remarkably honest. Photo: JPI Media
6. Sheila Quigley
Tributes flooded in for Sheila Quigley when she died last year. Over the years, Sheila became a best-selling author with novels such as Bad Moon Rising, Living on a Prayer, Every Breath You Take and her latest release in 2011, Stand By Me. It was with her debut novel, Run For Home in 2003, that the author rose to prominence after securing a £300,000 book deal with Random House. It changed the life of the former factory machinist who went on to become one of the country’s best-loved crime writers. As well as being passionate about writing, Sheila was a proud ambassador for her home town of Houghton. Photo: JPI Media
7. Bryan Talbot
Ashbrooke author Bryan Talbot has written and drawn comics and graphic novels for more than 30 years. His best-known works include Judge Dredd, The Tale of One Bad Rat and Alice in Sunderland. The latter explores the links between Lewis Carroll and the Sunderland area, with wider themes of history, myth and storytelling. Photo: JPI Media
8. Glenda Young
Glenda Young grew up in Ryhope and her books all centre around strong female characters overcoming adversity in a northern pit village. The Paper Mill Girl will be released in paperback on March 18 and is the latest release in her saga series set in her home city. The series, which also includes Belle of the Back Streets, The Tuppenny Child, Pearl of Pit Lane and The Girl with the Scarlet Ribbon, is part of an initial six-book deal, which has now been extended to eight with publisher Headline due to the success of the series. Photo: Les Mann