GUITARIST-turned-author Stan Cullimore admits it is a journey into the unknown when he talks as part of the Beverley Literature Festival, which opens today.
As a musician and songwriter with The Housemartins, he performed in front thousands of fans and enjoyed several international top ten hits, including Caravan Of Love and Happy Hour.
However, on Saturday (October 4) from noon, he faces a new audience at Beverley Library when he speaks as part of the children's programme of activities.
"I've never done anything like this," he said.
"I will be out of my comfort zone. In the band I knew what I had to do and adults do what you expect them to do at the gigs – they cheer and clap.
"If kids don't like you, they will pick their nose or turn away and talk to their mates.
"There is an honesty there and no hiding it if they aren't enjoying themselves."
Stan, who now lives in Bristol with his wife and Mabel the dog, has four grown-up children and four young grandchildren who all live within strolling distance.
When he became a father, he wrote the Henrietta books for his children.
They were published to wide acclaim. He spent several years working with educational publishers such as Pearson, Longman, Heinemann and OUP, writing books for schools that have been used in classrooms all around the world.
"I was reading stories to the kids when they were small – I thought it was easier to just make up stories," he said.
"An agent said he'd have a look and it went from there.
"It was like a lot of things in life for me, I stumbled into things accidentally.
"I never run out of ideas for stories, drawing on my own experiences.
"Kids always say and do weird things."
Stan obviously has a gift for writing children's stories, having written more than 120 books, which have been published in more than 32 countries.
"I remember the first book to be translated was translated into Welsh," he said.
"I had a call while I was walking the dog in a field in Cornwall last week to see if I wanted to go to Egypt and China to talk about my books in schools.
"It is amazing to think they are read all over the world."
In recent years, Stan has also moved into television writing, producing, directing and appearing in a whole host of children's shows, including Angelina Ballerina, Driver Dan's Story Train and The Bopps, and he can presently be seen in CITV's Bottom Knocker Street, where he wears a host of weird and wonderful disguises.
"I have given talks in a few schools, and although the children know Bottom Knocker Street, they don't recognise me," he said.
"People don't recognise me from The Housemartins either. It's great and perfect for me. I get all the fun stuff and then get left alone.
"It's perfect as I've never really liked being famous."
Stan has also branched out into journalism and writes a weekly column in the Bristol Post about life as a grandad, as well as writing travel and lifestyle articles for national papers and magazines.
But with the busy schedule, can he ever see The Housemartins reforming?
"I cannot see it. We are all so busy with other things," he said.
"It was fantastic fun and a really nice thing to do, but, as Paul once said, reforming would be a bit like going out with a girl when you're a kid and having a great time, but then splitting up. You wouldn't go back again."
Stan returns to East Yorkshire for this year's Beverley Literature Festival to present Travels With My Uke: Writing Songs, Telling Stories, sharing some of his adventures, as well as hoping to create new songs together with the audience.
"When I work with children, we might be writing poems, songs, books or a TV show," he said.
"I tell them it doesn't matter what form creative writing takes, the emotional heart of the process is always the same. We're telling a story.
"Our job is to engage with the audience, entertain them and draw them into the fun so they want to join in."
Ukuleles will also be welcome.
"It would be great if a few people brought their ukuleles and then they could join in," he said.
"As for what to expect, it will be what the people want. I hope to sing a few songs, talk to people and answer a few questions.
"It's not like a normal adult gig. I will look at the audience and see what they want to do.
"It should be good and a journey into the unknown."
• Visit the Beverley Literature Festival website for more information and a full programme.
![The Housemartins' Stan Cullimore faces his toughest audience at Beverley Literature Festival]( "The Housemartins' Stan Cullimore faces his toughest audience at Beverley Literature Festival")
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