After a few weeks' absence, I made the effort to attend the fortnightly meeting of Ulverston Writers, celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. The group is ably run by knowledgeable Convener, Maggie Norton, South Cumbria Poet Laureate, 2007. Among the members, Philip Caine told us about plans for his new book, Picnic in Iraq, and Carol Green let us know about a U3A event in Ulverston at the end of September,a day when we can learn how to give each other feedback on literary work. Anyone who wants more information can email Carol on: carolagreen@hotmail.co.uk. I was pleased to receive useful tips on a chapter in my new book, Far Side of the Lake.
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New faces and old, so to speak, made for a lively Saturday evening at Verbalise, the Brewery Arts Centre's spoken word evening in the Warehouse Gallery. The event was compered by multi-talented organiser, Ann Wilson (whose imaginative poetry book, Straight Bananas, has raised hundreds of pounds for Multiple Sclerosis). Ann, who has considerable experience keeping authors under control, this evening welcomed writers:
Harriet Fraser, Kate Davis, Mark Trepte, Jonathan Humble, Gavin Wilshaw, John Scott, Luke Brown, Matthew Watley and Bob Fahey. I was there, too, in case you hadn't guessed.
I read a short chapter (Red Fox) from my novel TERMINAL FIVE. It was the chapter where main character, Josi Devlin, conspires with colleague, Caitlin, to spike her sexist boss's drink at the firm's fancy dress Christmas party.
Performances which stuck in my mind came from Matthew Watley whose raunchy contributions should have come with ear covers; and from Bob Fahey who read from his three books: The Gardens of Ailana, Entertaining Naked People and The Mourning After. John Scott and Luke Brown, great short story writers, kept everyone riveted with their original offerings, while Harriet Fraser waxed lyrical about 'meadows' and Mark Trepte encouraged audience participation to 'help him out' with the nondescript chorus of his song.
No more Verbalise until September.
Read my short story: INSOMNIA FOR LIFE, now featured in The Carrot.
http://www.thecarrot.org.uk/category/issue-2-killing/
The Carrot is part of New Writing Cumbria’s young writers’ project,
It’s a celebration of the best new writing in Cumbria, submitted by Cumbrian writers of all ages, and selected by a group of young editors.
It's a writing magazine with a bit of a difference.
Firstly, it is an online magazine. Digital. Not book shaped. This means that it showcases writing in other ways. Like music and film. (After all, even films without dialogue are scripted.)
Secondly, it doesn’t just feature writing. Eden Arts hopes this will allow it to appeal to people who might not initially think they’re interested in writing.
The Carrot is funded by Arts Council Grants for the Arts. New Writing Cumbria is managed and supported by Eden Arts.