Red Nose Day

A new collection of comedy writing created by a Staffordshire agency through social networking site Twitter is set to tickle the nation’s funny bone in support of Red Nose Day thanks to the backing of Dave Spikey and Nat Coombs.

The project has now even won the backing of national treasure Stephen Fry who tweeted his 200,000+ followers to alert them about it.

All proceeds from the book, which costs £4.99 to download or £9 in print, are to be donated to Red Nose Day.

The TwitterTitters project, which was founded by Staffordshire agency directors Linda Jones and Neil Aitchison with Manchester journalist Louise Bolotin, set out to drive social change via Twitter, inviting comic writers to submit their work by using the social networking site to raise money for Comic Relief.

New writing

The finished book boasts exclusive new writing from Phoenix Nights co-creator Dave Spikey and a foreword from Nat Coombs whose comedy Chelsey: OMG! is an online phenomenon.

Dave has submitted a previously unseen story “The Best Medicine” for the collection which is an excerpt from his own upcoming book: "I gave him my kidney, then he stole my heart".

Dave Spikey said he hoped the TwitterTitters Red Nose Day effort would unearth some untapped comic talent:

"Not only is Comic Relief simply a great cause, but this particular project offers a brilliant opportunity for new writers. It's fantastic that up-and-coming comedy writers can contribute to collections like TwitterTitters.

"Hopefully some stars of the future will be discovered through it! I’m also very much looking forward to sharing some previously unpublished material of mine with the readers."

Terrific project

Nat Coombs added: "TwitterTitters is a terrific project, and I feel privileged to be in a position where I can help raise a laugh for Comic Relief whilst promoting young writing talent at the same time.

"Every year Comic Relief seems to raise more and more for good causes, and hopefully TwitterTitters can help push the total up. I was particularly keen to help as we have seen Chelsey: OMG! Gain over two million hits online and was keen to help writing through another social networking medium."

Organisers Linda Jones and Neil Aitchison, of Cheslyn Hay, said they were bowled over by the backing from the high-profile stars.

Neil said: "We love Phoenix Nights so to get the support of Dave Spikey is a bit surreal."

"We are hugely grateful for the backing of both Dave and Nat and are really looking forward to raising as much money as we can for Comic Relief.

Social networking

"Chelsey: OMG! is a great social networking success story and we hope TwitterTitters can cause a similar stir. While this is a fun project we feel privileged to do our bit to help fund the wonderful work done by Comic Relief in the UK and abroad."

Louise Bolotin added that the judging panel had been very impressed with the quantity and quality of submissions:

"We've had more than 70 entries in a whole variety of different formats. We've had everything from monologues, to poems, short stories, and blog posts. I love a laugh, and it's heart-warming to see so much comic talent out there, and people doing so much for Comic Relief."

"It’s been great to see Twittersphere join forces to tweet - and retweet – messages to promote the book. I'm touched and excited by the opportunities that this has opened up. It's also incredible to have two comic talents of the calibre of Dave Spikey and Nat Coombs involved. Bring it on!"

Further information...

Follow the TwitterTitters progress at www.twitter.com/tweehee

or via www.twittertitters.com.

You can buy the book at http://www.lulu.com/content/6281246)

For more information, please contact Linda, Neil or Louise.
Linda: Linda@passionatemedia.co.uk www.twitter.com/joner 01543 468621 www.passionatemedia.co.uk
Louise: louisebolotin@googlemail.com www.twitter.com/louisebolotin http://louisebolotin.com