Aware of the need to make bookings for April onwards I have contacted Paul Beazley to Book Patience Agbabi for her book launch in April. I am looking to book three strong black women writers. Patience Agbabi with Salena Godden and Rommi Smith for the week of April 17^th..  I have spoken to Salena Godden today who is up for the gig. Maybe it should be in the spirit level. Maybe we should have boy poets in one room girl poets in another. And let the audience choose, with a DJ in the middle! Or maybe it should be  that the three are in  the Blue room still with a DJ in the HUB

I also want to book Duwayne Brooks for April . Duwayne wrote a book called Steve and Me. Duwayne was with Stephen Lawrence when he died and could well have been killed himself. He survived. He wrote the book with the respected guardian journalist Simon Hattenstone. I want this event in April  which is the anniversary of the death of Stephen Lawrence.  I have read it and it is brilliant. Send exploratory mail to Simon Hattenstone. 

At about noon I call down to Marketing to check they have my entry for the literature programme. The  first draft is in a previous blog over the past week.  Amelia La Fuente is there and shows me the literature programme. This is the first time I have been made aware of any of the events between January and April 1^st. Amazing really – considering I am a writer and Artist in Residence.  And I see that Linda Smith event is part of the events comedy package. It is an event which I had been trying to get off the ground here. How bizarre but wonderful that the event is on. I feel undermined but whatever the case the event is on which is after all a good thing.  I send an email to MC Head of Literature to outline my concern. It is another example of something whcih is becoming clearer and clearer on a day to day basis.  2pm I have lunch for half hour. 

At 4pm  I meet Laka (the meeting was set by Neil Quinten)   talk about writing a piece for Lambeth Children event in March next year. We get along famously, myself and Laka.  We know similar people. To write this piece I shall have to research The Olympic Torch and have a first draft for her ready by the end of December, before I go to LA for the month. It’s a welcome challenge and just the kind of reason that I am here at the south bank.  I can’t really explain how wonderful this meeting was, suffice to say it was perfect for the end of the day and just  makes me want to  come into the office tomorrow. I am going home now. .

I need some darned paper for this office! And some freakin Blu tak!  

Leave 5.15pm.