DREAM Catcher, the national literary magazine that was born in York, celebrates its tenth anniversary this year with an edition dedicated to humour, craziness and the unexpected.

Issue 15 of the popular magazine includes black humour, surreal word-antics, off-the-wall poetry and the second part of Orange Prize-nominated writer Joolz Denby's autobiography.

There's also humorous fiction from writers such as Elizabeth Stott, Sue Laver and Elaine Hatfield, taking a quirky look at everything from office power games to a head-doctor redeemed by dressing up as a clown.

Dream Catcher was conceived in the last weeks of term ten years ago by York St John College student and Canadian-born poet Paul Sutherland. Paul was approached by the college's then head of English Anne Price, who told him the college needed a poetry/ fiction magazine.

"I said 'I can do that'," says Paul. "I can't say the exact date of this conversation. But I've always taken June as the birthday of Dream Catcher."

In York itself the anniversary will be celebrated - a little late - with a double dose of events next month. Next Friday, Canada Day, Paul and other invited writers will be reading Canadian poems at Worm Holes bookshop in Bootham.

On July 21, meanwhile, humorous poets Carole Bromley (from York), Peter Knaggs (Hull), Matt Black (Sheffield) and Helen Burke will be reading from their work in an event at Borders in Davygate, York.

Dream Catcher 15 is out now, price £6.50. Editor Paul Sutherland and other poets will read Canadian poetry at Worm Holes Bookshop, Bootham, from 7-9pm next Friday. Entry £5. The humorous poetry reading at Borders on July 21 starts at 6.30pm. Entry free.

Updated: 08:58 Saturday, June 25, 2005