Category: News

any news on poetry that’s been published or any exciting new things happening!

Book Review by John Field

News

Yesterday I was delighted to see that John Field has reviewed my Nasty Little Intro #8. Last year Field was named one of the top poetry bloggers by Picador, and it was great to see his insight into my poems.

There are still some £2 books available from the Nasty Little Press website, so please do support poets and independent presses alike by buying a copy! Ben Norris has already sold out, so I’ve got some catching up to do – help a gal out! I’d also like to recommend fellow UEA poet Hattie Grünewald’s Intro book. She also does a great brunch blog and updates of her poems on tumblr.

Popshot Publication!

News

I’m thrilled to announce that my poem Monkey Bars has been published in the Outsider edition of Popshot Magazine. I’ve tried many times over the past six years and I’m finally in there, my poem beautifully illustrated by Paul Garland. I’m a subscriber to Popshot, and I recommend them for having a lovely collection of short stories, flash fiction and poetry. You can see the illustration in details on Garland’s website too, where he offers a great insight into the poem’s meaning.

Save Ideas Tap!

News

In case you hadn’t heard, Ideas Tap is facing closure on 2nd June, unless more funding is secured before then. As they have tried already to get more funding, this is obviously not a sure thing. This news came as a great shock to me, and I had taken for granted that Ideas Tap was a new essential to the picture of the arts today, something that would stand the test of time.

Sabrina Mahfouz has set up a campaign to save Ideas Tap from this terrible fate. A fate that highlights the reality of the arts today, a landscape where funding is constantly being cut, and a government that often devalues the arts, evidenced by these cuts.

Please join the campaign and do anything you can to spread the word, in the hope that funding can be secured for the future. Share this post, make your own, and continue to show yours support the arts in any way you can.

Join the mailing list and Facebook Page and follow on Twitter, and tweet using the hashtag #LoveIdeasTap. Become a supporter and find out more about what you can do to help.

Poetry Rivals 2013/14 Winner: Paradise

News, Uncategorized

It’s been a long time since I wrote my poem Paradise, and nearly a year since I won first place in the Poetry Rivals competition. The poem was inspired by the No More Page 3 campaign, placing judgement on society, the newspaper, and not on the models.

Thanks to all those involved with Poetry Rivals, including host and mentor Mark Grist, judges Hollie McNish, Mixy and Tim Clare. A massive thanks to those at Poetry Rivals HQ who have had to put up with my emails, drawing out the filming with ideas of parks, fish and chips shops and newsagents. There was a moment where my local newsagents from my childhood may have been involved, but to my relief, they stopped responding (more on that when I write my one woman show!) Thanks also then go to the Roundhouse for being able to film the poem there. Lastly, a big thanks to Guy Larsen for his fantastic filming.

If you liked this poem, please buy a copy of my poetry pamphlet from Nasty Little Press. There are other poems too, and you might like them. It’s signed, limited edition and just £2. Themes touch on topics such as multiculturalism, education, love, the pursuit of happiness and having a digitally native childhood. Or else come to a gig; my next performance is at the Festival of Ideas as part of Open Generation on Saturday 11th April. I’ll bring some books along so you don’t have to pay P&P.

Hello 2015

News

I’m currently typing up notes from BARcademy, a writing and professional development week with Burn After Reading that took place in August 2014. That was 6 months ago. There’s a little indication of how my life is going.

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So, I think it’s about time to have a look at the previous year and what I’m currently up to. One of my greatest achievements of 2014 (and my life) was being published by Nasty Little Press, and this was followed by an incredible summer of performing at a total of five festivals. I performed at Latitude, Secret Garden Party, Camp Bestival, In the Woods and Bestival. I also managed to fit in a sneaky four day holiday to Spain. I was ill for at least three weeks because of all this activity – just in time for the new term at work. I graduated from the Roundhouse Poetry Collective programme and formed Kid Glove. We now have a logo too – designed by Matthew Dickerson. We’re currently working a Twitter and a website… and on a show about adventure! This will be scratched at the Roundhouse’s Last Word Festival on Sunday 31st May at 1.30pm. Tickets are free, so book yourself a spot now. We’re resident artists at the Roundhouse this year, which is really cool.

KIDGLOVE_FINAL1-01This year has seen a bit of success so far (though I would like to be booked for more features, please). I am delighted to have had a poem accepted into Popshot Magazine! This will be available from 1st April and I’m thrilled to be in it after a lot of submissions in the past. I have also filmed my ‘Paradise’ poem with Guy Larsen, and I’m currently waiting to see it and show it to everyone, which should be by the end of the month – exciting! I will also be working with Joelle Taylor to produce a political poem in the run up to the election, which will be performed at the Festival of Ideas 2015 as part of Open Generation on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th April.

Lastly, make a note in your diaries for the next She Grrrowls event, taking place at Apples & Pears on Thursday 19th March. It will feature Maria Ferguson, Natacha Bryan, Kitten Killers and Cat Bear Tree. Join the event here. Please support these next two events – if we get a good turn out we will be able to confirm the next few months.

She Grrrowls Spring 2015-01

 

22.11.14: Reclaim the Night

Events

Whitehall Place, SW1 in Central London at 6pm

12.11.14: Loose Muse

Events

Poetry Cafe, Covent Garden

06.11.14: Bixtongue

Events

EFFRA SOCIAL

BRIXTON SW2 1DF

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04.11.14: Burn After Reading

Events

Burn After Reading Presents
The Seven Dials Club, 42 Earlham Street, Covent Garden
Tuesday 4th November
Doors 7.45pm
£5 on the door

Featuring BAR poets: Amaal Said, Belinda Zhawi, Cameron Brady-Turner, Carmina Masoliver, Rena Minegis, Safi Strand and Tyrone Lewis.

They’ll be performing alongside our talented feature guests in the form of  Yomi ‘GREEdS’ Sode and Katie Bonna.

25.10.14: Feminism in London After-Party with Kid Glove

Events

Having spent a year being taught and mentored by the poet Bohdan Piasecki as part of The Roundhouse Poetry Collective 2014, we have formed Kid Glove, a collective of poets united by a desire to tell stories, make poetry and perform our poetry around the UK. We write words for both the stage and the page and are interested in ways of developing new practices in spoken word poetry. We like stories that hold mirrors before the audience, words that make you laugh and cry, and images that leave you seeing stars. Four members of Kid Glove will be performing at Feminism in London this Saturday 25th October.

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