Free fiction in Durham

A remote iPad entry from Durham (so no picture as its beyond me) where I have just dropped Angus off at his new home (how 6 sportsmen can cram themselves and their smelly kit into an extended two up two down former miners' cottage is a mystery but it will undoubtedly be fun). After some token unpacking and bed making, I have retreated to the comfort of the Raddison Blu Hotel on the river with a stunning view of the cathedral and castle. Here I have discovered an original reading initiative; in each lift lobby is an eye-catchingly displayed offering of books for guests to borrow along with multiple copies of a free paperback called "Read Regional 2011" which features tasters of works by writers from the north east - 5 novelists and 3 poets - complete with a short bio of each. This fabulous initiative is run by New Writing North which has a network of regional book groups run by facilitators each of which has a blog! Competition?.....I'll peruse and report back.