Martha’s expertise in adult second language and literacy opened her eyes to the paucity of short books for adults like those young children read by themselves. She asked her Newcastle University colleague and creative writer Margaret “What’s the adult equivalent of Where the Wild Things Are? Can we work with creative writers to produce books for pleasure reading by adults with emerging literacy?” They regularly hold the writers’ workshops and one-to-one consultations that result in the Simply Stories books.

Margaret (Manya) Wilkinson is a prose and script writer whose work ranges from BBC radio plays to her most recent and widely acclaimed novel, ‘Lublin.’ She contributes regularly to the writing magazine, Mslexia, with articles and guides to writing drama and prose fiction. Like Martha she’s been a staff/faculty member in the Newcastle University School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics. She continues to teach and to mentor creative writers. 

Bailey is a graphic designer based in Newcastle upon Tyne. She earned her MA degree in Language and Linguistics from Newcastle University, where she first got involved with Simply Stories. With practical experience in the design and print industries, she helps us primarily with the creation of books and the communication with artists. Her favourite part of Simply Stories is the magical moment when text meets artwork, resulting in a brand new book for readers to enjoy.

Writer, editor, and translator with a passion for children’s books. Rehab translated some of Mr Men and Little Miss titles into Arabic, like Mr Tickle and Little Miss Sunshine. Her recent translations include All About Diversity, and All About Worries and Fears (Dar El Shorouk, 2022). Moreover, she edited a 10-book series titled “Our Folktales” (Makouk, 2021). Rehab lives in Newcastle, where she teaches Arabic for children in her Kalamna Arabic School. She collaborated and edited a 10-book series of Kalamna levelled readers to help children read Arabic. Rehab is a veteran blogger, and her short story collection titled “Rice Pudding for Two” was published by Dar El Shorouk (2008).

Rachael is a postgraduate student at Newcastle University studying English Literature with a focus on radical Irish women’s writing. She has previously worked in several editorial and marketing roles across the academic, journalistic and STEM sectors and is excited to grow her experience further. Rachael has a passion for all things literary, with a vested interest in the accessibility of literature, a topic she explored through her student radio show ‘The Literary Lounge’ and first ignited her interest in Simply Stories’ mission. Within her role, she works on updating our website and contributing to the production and marketing of our books.

Parinda’s BA in international business law from Thammasat University in her native Thailand and her business studies in Seattle have given her expertise in working with small businesses like Simply Stories. She’s a whiz at content creation for cosmetics, skincare and accessories and we’re thrilled that she’s turned her passion for creating fresh and innovative ideas on social media to make an important contribution to Simply Stories. 

David Butler set up and runs the LifeWorkArt (LWA) professional development programme in Newcastle University’s Fine Art Department. LWA supports students setting up live projects outside the university either independently or working with artists and arts organisations. Simply Stories provides a great opportunity for students to work with writers and be involved in a project of value to a wide range of people. David has researched strategies for artists’ development since the 1980s including their impact on students and graduates