Would-be writers in Lichfield are hoping to learn some tricks of the trade when newspaper journalist and author Stephen Booth talks to them.

Stephen began his career in journalism for a newspaper in Cheshire in 1974 and has since worked for the Barnsley Chronicle and the Huddersfield Examiner, as well as the Daily Express and the Guardian.

During his career Stephen has also had the roles of regional secretary of the British Guild of Editors, and was one of the country’s first qualified assessors for the National Vocational Qualification in Production Journalism.

He has been invited to give the talk after winning the £5,000 Lichfield Prize, awarded by the district council for an unpublished novel as part of the city’s arts festival.

Stephen won the prize in 1999, he said: “Entering the Lichfield Prize was a very useful and enjoyable experience.

“It gave me excellent practice in researching background for a novel and writing to a deadline.”

Since winning the award with his mystery novel The Only Dead Thing he has gone on to enjoy literary success in the UK and abroad with Black Dog, a crime thriller set in the Derbyshire Dales.

Stephen is currently working as a member of the Internet Development Team for Johnston Press as well as writing further novels.

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