Award-winning author to help launch NTU programme to celebrate writing and reading

A new programme looking to celebrate creative writing and reading has launched at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) - with the help of award-winning author Derek Owusu.

Award-winning author Derek Owusu

Owusu – who was awarded the prestigious Desmond Elliott Prize for his debut novel ‘That Reminds Me’ – will attend his first Writing and Reading for Pleasure (WRAP) event at the university on November 16.

Owusu’s work, exploring themes such as race, identity, sexuality and mental health, was picked up by #Merky Books, a publisher with releases curated by popular musician Stormzy.

The author will lead several activities for students, including a writing masterclass and a book club specially devoted to his book. Students will get the chance to explore the important topics covered in ‘That Reminds Me’ alongside the author himself, making the most of one of the 500 free copies shared by the University as part of the programme.

WRAP is an extra-curricular project between NTU, its students, staff, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature and established authors. It will provide online writing workshops and book groups, meet ups, masterclasses and talks from readers and authors.

The programme will also provide participants with the opportunity to explore their own writing, meet new people and engage with different authors each term. It is about loving words, listening to new voices, reading for pleasure and having the freedom and confidence to speak out. WRAP student ambassadors will also be involved in its co-production.

Award-winning author of ‘That Reminds Me’ Derek Owusu, said: “Discussing works of literature and putting them together is the passion of my life. I’m so happy to touch on both with the University. It’s a great initiative and I can’t wait to get started and engage with like-minded students.”

WRAP is part of Curated & Created, the University’s cultural programme, which brings enjoyment and inspiration to students, staff and the local community from a range of cultural and creative activities.

Barbara Matthews, Executive Dean for Culture at Nottingham Trent University, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Derek Owusu has agreed to be our first featured writer and that Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature is working with us to create such special opportunities; opportunities to delight in the power of creative writing and reading to bring smiles to our faces.”

Notes for editors

About Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students.
NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.
The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.
It is one of the largest UK universities. With nearly 32,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. With an international student population of more than 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook.
The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was awarded University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards 2019.
A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 87% satisfaction score in the 2020 National Student Survey, above the sector average of 83%.