Editor’s Note

The Luton Writers’ Group was born out of a question ... are there still writers out there or has Luton become a literary desert? Before we started we ran a workshop last year at the library about getting published. One person turned up.

A year on and we have a collection called Underground Rivers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Luton Central Library. The name is a reference to the River Lea which runs under the library and it’s an answer to our question - it may appear to be a desert, with the odd oasis, like Booker shortlisted Stephen Kelman, but underneath there is abundant life. This book is proof of that and is a mix of short stories, scripts and opening chapters of novels all of which have been forged this year from writers who gathered for the first time in February when the library started the group.

This book really shouldn’t exist. Really it shouldn’t. There hasn’t been enough time. There’s hardly any money out there to support ground root literature. The library is facing financial pressures. Waterstones closed down its Luton store.

But here it is all shiny and threaded through with local talent that will surprise you, entertain you and make you stop and ponder for a moment. It was a delight to edit and to see the range of styles and themes. And the belief that bursts through each person’s writing is that it’s worth telling the story, there’s hope for the written word, a purpose, a chance of connecting with people. It makes this collection refreshing and raw - like a child wondering what or who they will become and dreaming of adventure.

Dig down and enjoy.

Mike French

September 2012