Alumnus Richard Houghton studied part-time at the University of Salford as a mature student, balancing his course with work and family life. It wasn’t just a chance to develop his writing, it gave him the confidence and discipline to turn it into a career later on.

Now Managing Director of Spenwood Books, Richard (pictured above with one of his music heroes, Paul Weller) has gone on to write more than 20 music books and work with artists including Billy Bragg and Simple Minds.

His latest project turns back to Salford, capturing memories of Maxwell Hall, and he is keen to hear from alumni who were there.

What made you choose the University of Salford, and what stands out most about your time as a student?

I chose Salford because I was looking for a career change in my mid-thirties. I’d always been interested in writing, but a general Creative Writing course didn’t feel quite right. The MA in TV and Radio Scriptwriting offered something more focused.

I was living in Preston at the time and studying part-time in the evenings over two years meant I could fit it around a full-time job.

What really stands out is how structured the course was. You had to produce work regularly and meet deadlines. If you didn’t, you missed the chance to have your work read and discussed. That discipline stayed with me. It also gave me the chance to benchmark myself against other writers and build confidence in my ability.

Tell us about your journey since graduating

It’s been nearly 30 years since I graduated. The course didn’t lead directly to a career change at the time. I had a stable job, a mortgage, and a family to support, and writing can be a very uncertain path.

But what it did give me was confidence and a clear understanding that the biggest challenge is actually finishing something.

That lesson stuck. In 2015, I completed my first non-fiction book and had it published. Since then, I’ve gone on to write and edit more than 20 books focused on music and popular culture.

My work has included authorised fan histories with artists such as Jethro Tull, Simple Minds, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, The Stranglers, Shaun Ryder, Fairport Convention and The Wedding Present. A lot of these sit within what I call the ‘People’s History’ series, capturing the stories of fans alongside the artists themselves.

What’s a moment you’ve felt proud of since leaving Salford?

There have been a few standout moments. Getting a call from Jim Kerr of Simple Minds to say how much he liked a book I edited was a real highlight.

More recently, collaborating with Billy Bragg on a book was something I never imagined would happen.

What do you do now, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I retired from my full-time role in social housing in 2021 and set up my own publishing company, Spenwood Books.

I now work full-time as a writer and publisher and have published over 30 books, both my own and by other writers. We specialise in oral histories of music acts.

What I enjoy most is the variety. Alongside writing and editing, I’ve had to learn about e-commerce, VAT, and international shipping. I’ve also had the chance to work with some incredible people in the music industry and, more often than not, they’ve been genuinely down-to-earth.

How did your time at Salford help shape where you are now?

Salford showed me that I could write. After years in a job that paid the bills but didn’t offer much creatively, being around other writers was energising.

Without that experience, I don’t think I’d have had the confidence to finish my first book.

One of the biggest lessons I took from Salford is that talent and ideas are everywhere. What makes the difference is having the discipline and confidence to follow through.

What advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?

Two things really stayed with me.

First, finish what you start. An idea isn’t going anywhere unless you see it through.

Second, get out there and meet people. Writing might feel like a solitary activity, but opportunities come from connections. It’s not just about how good you are, it’s about who you know as well.

Tell us about your next project

I’m currently working on a new project that feels quite special.

I’m putting together a book about the history of Maxwell Hall and the gigs that took place there over the years. It’s about capturing the memories people have of that space – the artists, the atmosphere, and what it meant to be there.

I’d love to hear from fellow Salford alumni who were part of that. If you went to gigs at Maxwell Hall and have a story to share, you can contribute to the project.

You can also find out more about my books and current projects on my website: https://www.spenwoodbooks.com/

Book cover - 'Gary Newman: A People's History'
Book cover - 'Jimi Hendrix: The Day I Was There'
Book cover - 'Thin Lizzy: A People's History'

Thank you to Richard for sharing his story! If you’d like to share your Salford story, we’d love to hear from you – get in touch at alumni@salford.ac.uk.