Adventures in July – Ledbury, Open Mics and Submissions

I am aware that I haven’t been present on the blog this month – I have been very busy out in reality and have not had as much online access. I have also started to write often and that is where the time priority has to be. I love blogging, but I have to admit I haven’t made it out into the blogging community so far this year, I still want to maintain my blog and see it as an important part of the writing adventure – but now my own adventures have taken off, I need to prioritise writing time.

I have been busy doing delightful things – thought I would share them with you. Tonight I have been inspired by a book launch, but that definitely deserves a post of its own.

Ledbury Poetry Festival started on the 4th July, I have known about this festival for decades and had never been, considering it is closer than other festivals I have attended and is POETRY based, well established and included many of my poetry friends in the programme, I had to make sure I didn’t miss it this year. Unfortunately many of the performances and workshops I fancied were on during the week and I wasn’t able to attend due to work.

On Saturday the 5th I went to Shell House Gallery to watch Ruth Stacey and Carrie Etter perform their new pamphlets by Dancing Girl Press. Dancing Girl is a Chicago based press ‘Homecoming’ by Carrie Etter and ‘Fox Boy’ by Ruth Stacey. Cooke and Dom Hale, to name a few. I was so glad I made it to Ledbury for this event.

 Click covers to buy a copies  

 

I had hoped to make it to Cheltenham and Buzzwords the next day, but after a jolly to Ledbury was too tired to spend another evening driving. I hope to make it back to Cheltenham soon.

A few days later (8th) I found out Carol Ann Duffy was due to perform in a pub in Worcester, The Lamb and Flag, unfortunately the date clashed with an event I had already booked, also it has only been a month since I saw her at The Hive. Whilst I was chatting to her and getting my book signed I told her that I remembered seeing her as a teenager at my school and she asked the name of my teacher – who is nowadays very connected to Carol Ann, I rushed off to go and find him … I was too late. So when I discovered this semi-secret event and saw that Michael Woods was also performing I decided to act crazy.

 

Acting Crazy

I thought he would remember me because he influenced and inspired/supported me as a English student to get my work published. Lots of success followed and he never knew because he left teaching and went into publishing. I don’t know why I expected him to remember 20 years ago – I barely remember students I taught a year or so ago.

I also made the mistake of using SatNav directions and got taken right round the rigging! I had worked all day and had about an hour to get my set ready and get across to the city first. I did find the pub and I did manage to get in to see Michael before the show, despite not having a ticket. He was very surprised and I spent all of 5 minutes with him, trying to put his mind at rest that I wasn’t a stalker and he did really teach me. As a teacher I think it is lovely when you get to tell these great people what an influence they have had over you. I do not regret this 60 minute detour before an open mic night of my own to re-discover my old English Teacher. Who will hopefully now remember me when our paths next cross!

Mouth & Music

I managed to make it to Mouth & Music on time to sign up, I had written a new poem on theme (Summer) and was glad to make it. It was a great night, Jan Watts was reading from Benches, her latest novel (official Launch in August) which I bought, can’t wait to read it – but it is piled on the shelf of all the books I have bought this year to read.  Click to buy.

It was a great night packed full of talented performers, including a scene from a play (a first for this event) – it was great to see people I had not seen for ages and to find out about the summer festival.

On Wednesday the 9th there was an event I was invited to but sadly was unable to attend (due to energy levels).

Birmingham Readers’ Map  

Pigeon Park Press decided to map all the stories that take place around Birmingham and then organise events for these writers to read their work.

SpeakEasy

It was only a few weeks since the LitFest special, I was lucky enough to be able to perform again and had some fresh poems, one written on the day (Thursday 10th) it wasn’t as well attended as it is usually, but a good night all the same. Headlined by Andrew ‘Mulletproof’ Graves- a poet from Nottingham.

The Weekend – Writing, Weddings and Missed Mics

Was meant to be my performance with the Poetry Army – but that got postponed until next year due to a lack of ticket sales at the venue. This did mean that I was able to attend the final WWM Writing West Midlands session in Worcester and my friends wedding!

It was a great last Creative Writing session – our students have really got their heads screwed on when it comes to the world of writing.

And Carly and Russ’s wedding party was A M A Z I N G! I bought a new dress the day before (one that looks a lot more expensive than it was) and had plenty of time to get ready as there was no theatre performance.

I missed the next Open Mic opportunity – part of Black Country Day weekend celebrations at The Cone. As the wedding wine was still in my system on Sunday morning and signing up to the event would have meant leaving at 10 am and I woke up at 10:30 AM

TIP: Don’t arrange or agree to any performance the day after a wedding! 

SUBMISSIONS:
And on top of all of this (and working) I have tried to knuckle down with submissions this month. I have entered 1 competition and entered several poems to online publications, fingers crossed.