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1971. Born in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. So far so good. 1971 - 1976. Don't remember much. Some time spent in sand pits, I think. 1977 / 1978 See "Star Wars". Gosh ! 1980 - begin education at "The Beacon School", Amersham, Bucks. Get the slipper twice when my unchanneled creative impulses result in unruly behaviour. The infamous incident featuring the hamster, the jar of marmalade and Mrs Welch's skirt is still remembered fondly by all who were there to witness it. I was ahead of my time... 1984 - 3 pieces of writing appear in the 1984 WHSmith Young Writers book. Chris Copeman was my first writing tutor, and an inspiration. First writing pay cheque appears - £25 ! If I told you I spent it on the complete works of Hilaire Belloc, would you believe me ? 1985 - Leave Beacon. Time to move on. In September, I attend Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire. 1986 - Win the school's poetry competition. See Queen play at Wembley stadium. Phew. Rock 'n' Roll. 1988 - Meet Syd Egan. Play in a band called "Trash" together. The world, which is so often blind to genius, yawns and listens to Milli Vanilli and Jason Donovan instead. "Trash" folds after 2 gigs. 1989 - Edit Berkhamsted School Newspaper, "The Question". I am the Kelvin MacKenzie of the school. 1990 - Take "A" Levels in English, Art and History. Off to York to study English Literature and Drama. Girls everywhere, one of whom eventually becomes my wife (see 2002). 1992 - Attend creative writing module, led by Paul Mills, lecturer and poet. Write for the college paper, which is mostly ghastly. Spend a lot of time in the library reading the newspapers. 1993 - Start writing reviews of bands for the York and Wetherby Advertiser. 1994 - Off to Hull, where I live for the next 8 years. Work as a youth worker, Prison Tutor and Chaplain, amongst other things. These experiences help me to see life "on the other side of the tracks", and I realise how privilged I have been. Hull, and its circle of community and youth workers, are a profound influence on shaping my views. Fall in love and then out of it. And again. Repeat the process until I need a good lie down. Write for "Radar" magazine in from 1995 to 1998. 1997 - Start writing for the Big Issue In The North. Interview playwright John Godber, Justin Currie of Del Amitri, James Jones (Bishop of Liverpool), Jools Holland, Ricky Ross and others. I write for them for the next two and a half years. Other work appears in the Catholic Universe, Band, Bassist and Gig Central. 2002 - Finally hit the romantic gold and marry my missus. Make her laugh - sometimes because I mean to. 2003 - Write for Stone Soup in York, and The Journal in Hull. Interview the ArchBishop of York for "Third Way" magazine. 2005 - Fulfilled a long-standing ambition of writing for the National newspapers with articles in The Sunday Times and The Daily Telegraph. Also write for a number of other magazines and papers. Work for Creative Partnerships in Hull, delivering writing workshops in Primary Schools. A good year. 2006 - Work for Arts in Health in Hull, as writer in residence at a number of mental health wards. Lead workshops for patients. Present music reviews for the "Switched On" show for BBC Radio York. Articles for Third Way, The Talk and others. 2007 - In August, start working for Read Write York, helping to promote and develop literature activity in the York area. Present "Next Week's News" for BBC Radio York. Write for various magazines. 2008 - Organise the 2008 York Literature Festival - 60 events take place in 20 venues across York. Present "Next Week's News" for BBC Radio York. Deliver workshops for Hull Children's Library Book Awards Scheme. Lead workshops for local teenagers in York. Write for Church Times, GC Trains Magazine, The Talk, Beyond York and others. Win first prize in the Slipstream 2008 Poetry Competition. Perform in "Subterranean Homesick Yorkshire Blues", a tribute to Bob Dylan. Work for Hull schools for the 'Boys Into Books' programme. 2009 - Organise the 2009 York Literature Festival on behalf of City of York Council. Write for 'The Talk' and 'Beyond' magazine. Lead storytelling workshops in schools in Birmingham, Manchester and elsewhere. Conduct research work for Chrysalis Arts in North Yorkshire. Bob Dylan music and poetry show enjoys two sold out nights at York Theatre Royal in March. Write and present 'Next Week's News' for BBC Radio York until August when it is axed. Boo ! Win the first Sentinel Poetry Competition in August. Begin working in HMP Everthorpe as Writer in Residence on October 1st.Shortlisted for Templar poetry prize. 2010 - Work at Everthorpe as Writer in Residence. Am shortlisted for The Times / Chicken House children's writing award (February 2010). Organise York Literature Festival (March). Commended poem in Bank Street writers competition (April). |
 Miles Salter, Freelance Writer /
Reflectable Ltd
2010
Miles Salter is a freelance journalist, poet and creative writing tutor. He lives in York, UK.
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