We extend our deepest gratitude to the assessment teams who had the challenging job of selecting just 30 pieces from the hundreds of fantastic pieces entered into the #NotesOfThanks projects and galleries.
The published pieces for The Yellow Book 5th Edition will be announced on 10/09/24.
Scroll down to learn about them all:
Poetry Assessors
Adam Horovitz is a poet, performer, teacher and editor. He has released three collections of poetry, Turning (Headland, 2011), The Soil Never Sleeps (Palewell 2018) and Love and Other Fairy Tales (Indigo Dreams, 2021), a memoir, A Thousand Laurie Lees (History Press, 2014) and a CD of poetry and music, Little Metropolis (2015). He has been the poet in residence for the county of Herefordshire and Pasture for Life, and had written poems for two series of Archaeology of the Ear for Resonance FM, He has also co-presented The Thunder Mutters, a podcast celebrating the poetry and music of John Clare, and appeared on an album of poetry and music by Cerys Matthews, We Come From the Sun (Decca, 2021).
Website – Adam Horovitz
Josie Dom is a children’s author with a charitable mission to support good causes through the sales of her books. Since 2015, Josie has donated 15% of profit to children’s charities, and is currently supporting Read for Good. Having worked through her own mental health difficulties, it gives Josie great pleasure to once again be involved with The Yellow Book project.
Josie writes stories from her heart without any particular theme in mind, but looking at her body of work as a whole, the underlying theme comes through as ‘kindness’. Josie hopes to inspire future generations to develop their kindness-muscle whilst they read for pleasure.
Josie’s books include Lum, Lum’s Mum with the intention to publish more stories about Lum and his adventures. Her most recent book Animalympics tells the crazy story of animals taking over the Olympics and Paralympics in a fully rhyming and colourful epic.
Website – Josie Dom
Joy T Chance is first generation Windrush, Hertfordshire Hedgehog. One of seven children growing up in Welwyn Garden City she would say that her “life was a cultural mix of West Indian and British values”. Her parents had high aspirations for her and her siblings and were strict about education and their public conduct.
However, Joy’s childhood was not as idyllic as her small-town environment; life threw some nasty curveballs which had devastating consequences in later life. She did not have the tools or support to address her childhood problems so built walls to protect herself to survive the trauma.
Years of ignoring the effects of childhood trauma culminated in psychotic episodes of paranoia, resulting in complete breakdown. It was only then that her mental health was addressed and through the help of Harrow Mental Health Services; the support of Harrow Women’s Centre and six years of counselling Joy has been able to heal.
Now in her sixties Joy has achieved amazing progress, living with PTSD is a proud single parent who has put her son through University. Joy is building a career as a performing poet and is training to be a psychotherapist. Writing poetry has helped Joy to face the demons of the past and see the beauty of a life worth living. Hence why it was such a pleasure to be asked once again to be an assessor for the not-for-profit ‘Rethink Your Mind’ and its creative wellbeing resource: The Yellow Book.
Art/Photo Assessors
Naomi “KP” Koji-Paton, is of Irish-Japanese heritage from London, Hackney. Her media journey began in 2006 when she immersed herself in film production while attending university for a law degree.
She had planned to become a barrister in the US but life took a different direction and she continued to work within the legal world in the UK within Intellectual Property, Crime and Housing law sectors. Alongside this, she was photographing as a hobby for more than a decade.
It was during the Covid-19 pandemic when she had her own breakthrough, thinking about her future and whether she felt her legal job provided the enjoyment, value and fulfilment she wanted. The result was leaving her ‘stable’ 9-5 London City law firm to become a successful photographer and videographer under the brand Koji Cam. Since then she’s worked with the likes of The Economist, The United Nations, Amazon Music, NHS, Birmingham City Council, Nationwide, M&S and much more. Her biggest achievement to date is having an image she’s photographed on a billboard in Leicester Square.
She absolutely loves photographing most things including cars and martial arts, being a boxer herself.
Website – Naomi Koji-Paton
Will Johnston Photography specialises in sport, portrait and press photography.
Will travels all over, working for clients such as Channel 4, England Golf, Cancer Research UK and Swim England. Working in such a variety of different environments means that every day is a unique opportunity to capture that ‘different shot’, and ensure that every client is a happy one.
Will is very happy to discuss your photography needs, no matter how big or small, so please do get in touch.
Website – Will Johnston
“My paintings are often described by others as romantic and melancholy. Flowers are the constant subject of my art, and above all, my passion lies in painting peonies the national flower of China reflecting my deep love and nostalgia for the country of my birth.
Among all the different styles of Chinese painting, I like gongbi the most its fine and elegant strokes are perfect for portraying the delicate beauty of flowers. However, the extreme delicacy and meticulousness required in the gongbi technique also makes itself a test of patience and spiritual equilibrium such qualities are now rare to see in fast-paced modern society. I take joy from this trial every time when I paint, and experience it as a self-meditation, as a quiet respite from a hectic modern life. The traditional Four Treasures of the Study used in Chinese painting brush, ink, paper and ink stone creates a tangible atmosphere of Chinese culture no matter where I am. I feel I am on a life long mission to introduce classical Chinese art and culture to the world.”
Website – Siyuan Ren
Emma Filby works as a Director and Producer within professional theatre. Her career has hosted events and productions in the UK, Canada, US and Europe.
Emma is currently the Artistic Programmer at South Mill Arts and supports the venue’s strategic vision by booking production throughout the year.
After completing her training at The Bristol Old Vic Drama School, Emma worked alongside young film makers at UCLA (Los Angeles) for six years whilst exploring projects across both North and South America. In 2011 Emma spent time in Bolivia and Argentina where she worked alongside ‘Exceptional’ developing theatre workshops for children living in some of the hardest environments.
On returning to the UK Emma completed a Masters in Shakespeare in Performance – at the Shakespeare Institute in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Emma also teaches sessions at Drama Studio London, East 15 and various other universities, and programmes around the country.
Emma previously worked as Co-Producer for Frinton Summer Theatre where she managed the day-to-day operations and planning for the summer season.
In December 2024 Emma Will be producing and directing Anton Burge’s Bette & Joan at Park Theatre London Starring Greta Scacchi and Felicity Dean.
Emma loves travel, and has written a number of travel blogs and is currently pursuing a challenge to visit every seaside pier in the UK.
Website – South Mill Arts
Working closely with rethinkyourmind Emma’s passion for wellbeing and Mental Health has led to creating pieces for the Yellow Book project and video artwork led by the winning entries for the ‘I Feel Better When’ campaign. Her latest project ‘Inpire’, saw live artwork being created in public library spaces and at Riverside Festival, commissioned by Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and Mist Air body paints. These artworks explored Inspiration, Health and Wellbeing, prompted by the idea of how expression and play keep us well.
Website – Emma Fay
Click to view and enjoy the selected entrants:
Click to learn more and view the fantastic galleries:
