When Melina Turner-Deeks launched The Literature Lass, she wasn’t just looking to create another book club. She wanted to help people use reading and writing as a tool for improving wellbeing, building confidence and connecting with others.
Based in Whitley Bay, Melina runs workshops and book clubs that encourage people of all ages to engage more deeply with literature. She explains,
“Reading and writing are incredibly beneficial for mental and social wellbeing. When people engage in literature as a group, they connect in a way that’s beyond simply reading at home.”
“I see people experiment with a new style of writing, hear a participant read their poetry out loud for the first time, and watch someone take a chance on a book they would never normally pick up. These moments are what make my work so meaningful.”
Making reading and writing more accessible
From short story book clubs and poetry reading and writing workshops to creative writing for wellbeing sessions, Melina has created welcoming spaces where people can explore books, share ideas and develop their confidence through writing.
This summer, she has also introduced parent and child book clubs, “Summer Bookworms”, helping families enjoy reading together, with plans to expand these into regular term-time activities.
Keen to learn more about this concept, we asked Melina to tell us what led her to working for herself;
“The things I wanted to participate in didn’t seem to exist. I listened to people and their reasons for not engaging more with literature, poetry and creative writing and thought that there were easy ways around this! I’m very passionate about reading and writing and felt the need to share this with others in the hope that they could get as much as possible out of these valuable skills!”
Rather than accepting the situation, Melina saw an opportunity to create something different. By listening to what people needed and removing some of the obstacles that held them back, she hoped to encourage more people to discover the enjoyment and benefits of reading and writing.
Starting a business doesn’t have to be daunting
While Melina was confident in her vision, she admits that the practical side of starting a business felt much more daunting. Her first step was finding business support, Business North Tyneside, North Tyneside Council’s business support programme suggested the Enterprising North Programme, a project that is funded by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
The Enterprising North Programme proved ideal with TEDCO Business Advisor Bill Hartshorne providing the support and reassurance she needed to turn her ideas into a viable business. Guidance with business planning, cash flow forecasting and the fundamentals of running a business helped her build a solid foundation from the outset.
The support also helped Melina to be successful in applying for a North Tyneside start-up grant to kick start her business.
“The practical support from TEDCO has been incredibly valuable,” says Melina. “I’m not particularly business-minded, so the help with getting my business plan and cash flow forecast up and running has been much needed.”
Reflecting on Melina’s journey, Bill says:
“You can tell straight away that Melina genuinely cares about what she’s doing. She has a knack for getting people interested and involved, and it’s been great to see her turn that into a business that’s already making a difference in the local community.”
Balancing business and home life
Like many new business owners, Melina’s biggest concern wasn’t the idea itself, but finding a way to balance everything else that was already part of her life.
Managing family responsibilities, maintaining a part-time job and establishing a new business all at the same time was a significant challenge. However, her enthusiasm for the venture and her commitment to creating opportunities for others helped her navigate those early stages of self-employment.
And while balancing multiple responsibilities hasn’t always been easy, the rewards have made it worthwhile.
“Talking to people about books is my favourite part,” she says. “Seeing people challenge themselves and enjoy something they didn’t think was for them is incredibly rewarding.”
A region built on collaboration
Melina believes the North East is a fantastic place to start and grow a business because of the willingness of local organisations and independent businesses to support one another.
From bookshops and North Tyneside Libraries to independent venues like Baba Yaga’s Loft in North Shields and community spaces such as Whitley Bay Big Local, she has found a network of partners who are keen to help new ideas flourish and create opportunities for others. The Bound Bookshop in Whitley Bay has been especially supportive.
That collaborative spirit has played an important role in helping Melina bring people together through literature and creativity.
With the right support in place and a growing programme of activities, Melina is now focused on helping even more people discover the joy, confidence and wellbeing benefits that reading and writing can bring.
Details of upcoming workshops, book clubs and events can be found on The Literature Lass Eventbrite page or follow The Literature Lass on Facebook and Instagram.
Melina Turner-Deeks has a background in literary criticism and is both a poet and theatre reviewer. Having recently moved back to the North East, she is passionate about creating opportunities for people to connect through reading, writing and literature.
This project is funded by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
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