In 2010 I'm doing lots of non-performance work like residencies, festival planning and mentoring - but there are still some live events. Come along to be moved and entertained. There will be readings with poet Alan Buckley and novelist Jenn Ashworth - garden poetry with National Trust gardener Sam Youd, and plenty of other opportunities.

Saturday 6th at 8pm - the great Bilston Slam, West Midlands. A raucous competition on the theme of LOVE with hosts Sara-Jane Arbury and Marcus Moore (above). Venue and ticket prices to be confirmed.

Thursday 25th in lovely Birmingham - my mentee Charlie Jordan will be live on stage at the Library Theatre in a showcase of her own work . I'll be performing too. More details soon.

Saturday 27th at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal - I'm the guest poet. Come along and read your own work at the open mic - or sit back and let us do the work. All styles of poetry welcome, from dub to Dove Cottage.

Friday 9th at the Quaker Meeting House, Derby - a reading for Derby Poetry Society.

Weds 14th - Too Much Information at the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal. Novelist Jenn Ashworth (below) and Jo appear with a selection of readings from their poetry and prose.

Friday 23rd - a reading in Liverpool for St George's Day. A collection of prose and poems on Englishness and what it means nowadays - with a gentle humour as ever.

Friday 30th - Too Much Information (see above) at Hexham Book Festival. Join us in this lively Northumbrian market town.

Sat 29th - Too Much Information in Birmingham as part of a readers' and writers' day. Join us in the Conservatoire for a collection of stories, poems and anecdotes with a wry take on life.

Fri 18 - Sun 20th in Macclesfield - Join us in a revival of the ancient Barnaby Festival, with readings, performances and public events throughout the town. Jo will be reading somewhere on the Saturday night - watch this space!