Faculty Member, Creative Writing
About
Joanne was born and brought up in Hartlepool where she now lives. Her life has been marked by variety, travelling the cradles of civilisation, being a one-time singer, pianist, artist, librarian and all-round seeker. She started writing professionally aged 20, and now regularly writes for several magazines. Her first book, Down By The Water, was shortlisted for the Raymond Williams Publishing Prize.
She graduated from Lancaster University with a BA Hons and Masters degree in Literary Studies and completed her PhD thesis at Sunderland University. Areas of research concentrate mainly on popular culture and include articles on many films, television programmes and cultural theories, and have been published in a variety of magazines, including The Idler, Towards 2012, Cracked Mirror, Diva, Talking Stick and The Edge. Joanne also regularly writes features and articles for magazines such as Woman’s Own, People’s Friend and Best, where her short stories can also be found.
Author Facts
• Joanne had an imaginary friend called Chetsa who lived halfway up the stairs.
• She plays the piano and clarinet.
• Joanne is also an amateur boxer!
• Her favourite films are BladeRunner and Billy Liar.
• Joanne loves Earl Grey tea and buttery toast.
• She loves handmade books, and will make a small scrapbook for almost any occasion. She’d quite like her own printing press.
• She has no cats, though people often think she should.
PUBLICATIONS
Dr Joanne Benford
Non-Fiction
Sing of the City Electric
This book focuses on ideas of fragmentation, the death of the subject and the search for authenticity, with a discussion of the mechanisation of the body and ideas of the psyche as constituted by popular or image culture. The book will focus on the postmodern city, and will include, in the early stages, a discussion of various forms and features of modernism and postmodernism. I will also study Jean Baudrillard's work on simulacra, through a discussion of the mechanisation of the body and ideas of the psyche as constituted by popular or 'image' culture.
I will discuss ideas of postmodern architecture, dystopia, the creation of the artificial, problems of defining boundaries and the city as a state of mind or a projection of subconscious desires or fears. This work will focus on the notion of the city and its architecture, including a discussion on the effects of technology and industrialisation. I will also address the problematic nature of human identity within postmodern society. I use the film Blade Runner at some length to illustrate various points of my argument, particularly where visual imagery is important in defining the sense of the postmodern sublime and subsequent links with the 'wildzone'. I show the postmodern city as an unreal world of simulation, a constituted dreamspace - a schizopolis created through hallucination or psychic projection which, as simulacrum creates its own characters.
‘A dazzling knowledge of architecture, literature, film and critical theory, leaving you feeling educated, but not exhausted.’ amazon.co.uk
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 162 / 978 1 900701 167
Through The Screen Wildly: The Aesthetic of the Sublime Wilderness - Towards a Postmodern Wildzone
As with the relationship between any two cultural areas the flow of ideas between science and science fiction is not simply one-directional but two-way. An exchange of knowledge and perspectives exists, fed by the concerns of society at large. Feminism has helped to explode the myth that patriarchal institutions, be they scientific, literary or science fictional, exist as self-contained spheres unaffected by the social structures of everyday life. Within this work I explore the dialogues that take place between science fiction and the postmodern world, and what effects these have had on identity.
I take the science fiction novel to be the paradigmatic form of postmodernism. Instead of presenting a truth with possible explanations between which it may be impossible to choose as, for example, in the popular 'whodunit' fictions of modernism - the science fiction novel presents possible worlds. The 'stuff' of fiction, the 'human condition', is framed by unusual worlds which in turn create surprising dilemmas with which the characters must cope. It is this question of possible worlds, exploring how they relate to temporality in postmodern fiction, linking to later work focusing on ideas of hyperspace, leading finally to my discussion of the postmodern city and the notion of the wildzone.
Showalter describes women and their literature as falling into this 'wild zone' uninhabited by patriarchy, and suggests that this is why women often write of freedom and construct their worlds in the wilderness, where they can come into their own. However, while the 'wildzone' is traditionally a female space, I will be modifying the concept to suggest that in postmodern society male writers can also access the area (as there is a corresponding crescent of purely male experience) and that in postmodern society this space is just as important, and indeed necessary, for men as for women. I will align the discussion of the postmodern sublime with theories of hyperspace, and will argue that cyberspace can become a postmodern wildzone with open doors which allow access to both men and women.
Published by Moog Enterprises 2001, 2005, 2008
ISBN 978- 1-900701-20-4
Living Doll:
The Seduction of the Cyborg
Predominant in postmodern theories of representation are approaches and practices that locate 'the body' within systematised networks and circuits. The cyborg is our ontology; it gives us our politics. Subjected to these discursive frameworks or grounding ontologies, the body, as a clearly delineated unit, blurs into negotiated relatedness, and postmodern systematicity ushers in a contemporary meltdown of the discrete body. In other words, it would seem difficult to try to discuss 'the body' with distinct boundaries, whereas referring to the bounded body bounded to and within integrated networks can emerge as a reflective postmodern image.
The dissolution of apparently clear distinctions is what propels the cyborg - it lurks at the boundaries constructed and demanded by humanist thought, dismantling discretion in favour of interconnected networks and integrated systems. Boundaries 'breached', or at least 'leaky', include those between human and animal, between human and machine, and between the physical and the non physical.
Published by Moog Enterprises 2008
ISBN 978-1-9007-0121-1
Postmodern Aesthetics and Poetics
The concept of the postmodern is one fraught with the problems of definition, of choosing and using names. It is not enough to talk only of the postmodern: first one has to say which postmodern is being referred to.
In a sense, 'postmodernity' is a label for an era, and thus in a way all art which is produced in the era of postmodernity must fall under the rubric of postmodernism. The truth of this statement, if the label for the era is accepted (if indeed the existence of any kind of new era is accepted) is incontrovertible, but of limited use for the task of defining an art of postmodernity. Thus, most importantly for the theme of this work, there exists a tension between talk of the cultural age of postmodernity and talk about the work produced which is labelled 'postmodern'. It is with the coherence of the relationship between the two which I am concerned: whether postmodern art, or at least the theories which are labelling and creating 'postmodernism' in the arts, can be said to be a meaningful expression of what art may be or may do in the postmodern world. One question to be answered is whether indeed the nature of this particular construct is such that it can rationally tolerate this kind of theorising, or whether, given its peculiar inclusiveness and eclecticism, such a movement is contrary to its whole philosophical basis.
Published by Moog Enterprises 2008
ISBN 978-1-900701-23-5
Postmodern Feminist Fantasy
This study looks at the issues of feminism with regard to poststructuralism and postmodernism. This will lead to a discussion of androgyny and fantasy in women's writing, and how male writers can gain access to the wildzone through strategies of postmodern and fantasy writing techniques. Fantasy shows that what we thought was 'natural' is constructed. This underlines the idea that what we've accepted as 'normal' need not exist, as anything and everything can be changed.
Fantasy comes from the Greek word fantasia, meaning to make visible another order of reality, and thus can be said to give voice to everything the old realist novels are quiet about. Fantasy shows the underside of realism, the things that are not dealt with, and therefore fantasy is not completely divorced from the real world. Fantasy writing produces something apparently new, but still comes from our world, and is produced in a social context.
Published by Moog Enterprises 2008
ISBN 978-1-900701-22-8
The Organised Writer’s Yearbook
Tired of piles of paper and scraps covering your desk? Can’t see your diary for sticky notes? Sure you’d get more done if you could just get it all sorted out? This is THE BOOK for any aspiring or professional writer.
Inside you’ll find
• Monthly planners to help you keep deadlines
• Detailed charts to track your submissions
• Reading lists
• Website lists
• Project development grids
• To Do lists
• And even pages of prompts for each month to combat the dreaded writer’s block!
Get organised, and give your writing a kick start this year!
Published by Moog Enterprises 2008
ISBN 978 1 900701 242 / 1900701243
A Little Book of Focus
Focus: Can it work for you?
Are you doing exactly what you want to do in your life today?
Have you attained every goal you ever set yourself?
If you can answer yes to these questions, then this book is probably not for you. But if you answered NO to these questions and the following questions, then you NEED this book.
• Do you find it EASY to concentrate and focus 100% on the task in hand?
• Is it SIMPLE for you to exercise self-discipline when you need to?
• Are you CONFIDENT when talking with peers, partners or even your kids?
• Have you LEARNT how the art of focus, confidence and self-discipline changes lives?
• Can you look yourself in the mirror SMILING about everything you've accomplished so far?
• Have you ever found yourself stuck in a rut with the feeling that your life is going NOWHERE?
• Have you ever felt UNSURE about the steps you have taken, and continue to take in your life?
• Are you EXACTLY where you want to be in life right now?
Everybody’s life has its ups and downs, but not everybody is aware that they can actually DO something themselves to turn things around. Knowing how to focus, how to build up confidence and self-esteem, and knowing when to exercise self-discipline are HUGE steps toward a better life for yourself and those around you.
Let’s look at focus, confidence and self-discipline and see what we can do to make things work for you!
Published by Moog Enterprises April 2009
ISBN 1 900701 25 1 / 978 1 900701 25 9
Powerful Ways to Sharpen Your Memory
A good memory is truly important for anyone to possess. Your memory of faces, names, facts, information, dates, events, circumstances and other things concerning your everyday life is the measure of your ability to prevail in today’s fast-paced, information-dependent society. With a good memory, you don’t have to fear forgetting/misplacing important stuff and you can overcome mental barriers that hinder you from achieving success in your career, love life, and personal life.
Your memory is composed of complicated neural connections in your brain which are believed to be capable of holding millions of data. The ability of your mind to retain past experiences in a highly organized manner gives you the potential to learn and create different ideas.
Why not train yours to be the best?
In this book you will learn about:
• Sharp Memory Factors
• Attention
• Basic Memory Tools
• Overcoming Forgetfulness
• Memory and Your Senses
• How to Remember Names and Faces
• How to Remember Numbers
• How to Remember Places
• How to Remember Events
Published by Moog Enterprises June 2009
ISBN 1 900701 26 X / 978 1 900701 26 6
Poetry
The Music of the Spheres
That star upon the serpent’s head
Is called the soul of man…’
A collection of poetry with original illustrations inspired by the planets and the mythology and magic connected with them.
Published 1996 by Moog Enterprises
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 09X / 978 1 900701 099
Loving One
Loving longs for His delightful oblivion…
One big passionate angel is like his celebration.
It takes to dreams.
A miniature art book containing a single extended poem, and featuring the prize winning ‘Heart’ poem.
‘Truly beautiful and inspiring ‘amazon.co.uk
‘A beautiful item - almost an 'art book' - an artefact in itself. ‘amazon.co.uk
Published 1996 by Moog Enterprises
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 154 / 978 1 900701 150
Fiction
Café Ultima
A few scenes from the place that’s open twenty-four hours serving coffee, tea, soft drinks and a range of hot snacks in a traditional environment. All major credit cards accepted.
And then there was the time when the café was in a rough area…
The café is open all night, including when the clubs close and everyone comes out from coming out to play.
‘A romp through the lives of various members of cafe society... violent moments, but strangely poetic in tone.’ amazon.co.uk
Published 2000 Moog Enterprises
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 170 / 978 1 900701 174
Silence and Tears
In secret we met, in silence I grieve
That thy heart could forget, thy spirit deceive.
If I should meet thee, after long years,
How should I greet thee? With silence and tears.
~Lord Byron~
During the summer of 1831, in a market town in North East England. George Neilsen, a handsome young innkeeper, is longing for a way out of his humdrum world. He meets the enigmatic Sir Bernard Sanderson and his beautiful wife, Julia. Next day, he tells Mary Charlton, his childhood friend and confidante, of his encounter. Mary, who is secretly in love with George, teases him over his apparent infatuation with the aristocratic pair.
What follows is a tale of adventure and misadventures, doubts and truths, secrets and lies, silence and tears, spanning a whole lifetime.
‘A very moving story - sort of Catherine Cookson, but with more grit! Some scenes not suitable for delicate ladies (!)’ amazon.co.uk
Published by Moog Enterprises July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 197 / 978 1 900701 198
The Ring of Elements Set
Down By The Water
‘The bridge hums broken tunes under its breath… Whispered in my submerged ear and I, breathing and floating, am now with the ocean’s force.’
‘Lanterns go bobbing along the shore, wild music skirls across the moonlit waters… music to scorch the blood to passionheat.’
This is the first in a series of four books, together comprising the ‘Ring of Elements’ set, and is composed of lyrical stories, poems and artwork, linked by the sea, the river and those that inhabit them.
‘A fantastic read, crammed full of beautiful language, similar to Dylan Thomas, perhaps, or GM Hopkins. Also beautiful illustrations by the author herself.’ amazon.co.uk
‘An avant-garde novel, comprising story chapters interspersed with some poems. These poems form the inner monologues of the main characters, including the heroine, drowned by her lover, and haunting his descendants.’ amazon.co.uk
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 111 / 978 1 900701 112
Coming Up For Air
‘There are things we should say, things we should not. And there are things we want to say but have never learned how.’
‘I heard the cry of the driven clouds, and the awful shout of the pursuers mingled with the clamouring and thudding of the endless companies that hurried across the width of heaven.’
This is the second in the ‘Ring of Elements’ set, and is composed of lyrical stories, poems and artwork. All are linked by the ring, the spirit of air and those that inhabit it, with the true meaning of balloons, prophecies fulfilled and myths developed.
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 12X / 978 1 900701 129
Fanning the Flames
‘Memory keeps delivering the past in brown paper parcels done up with tangled string…’
‘I saw a burning house once, coming home. It moved and it was still.’
‘Out of the fiery furnace crept our newborn son, half golden with freckles of rust and a scent of something newly opened upon the world.’
This is the third in the ‘Ring of Elements’ set, and is composed of lyrical stories, poems and artwork. All are linked by the ring, the spirit of fire and those that inhabit it, including an ancient fable, a burning pier and a baby of cinders and ore.
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 138 / 978 1 900701 136
Scorched Earth
‘I want to hear this soft damp night breathing.’
‘We only know the sudden shadow-cold… black with coal, and the long tunnels of the afternoons pelting into the future like stones lobbed by bullies at our faces.’
The story of the ring, in archaeological terms, together with the final conclusions. This is the fourth in the ‘Ring of Elements’ set, and is composed of lyrical stories, poems and artwork. All are linked by the ring, the spirit of earth and those that inhabit it.
‘Wow … making a huge mythology if you immerse yourself in them all. Thanks for the dreaming!’ amazon.co.uk
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 146 / 978 1 900701 143
The Ring of Elements
Special edition artist’s book, comprising the full set of four elements. Created in a limited edition, each will be unique, featuring hand finished detail.
New edition, reprinted July 2008.
ISBN 1 900701 189 / 978 1 900701 181
