A Year of Learning Curves

2015/16 have been eye opening years for learning. At no point have I thought staying in my comfort zone was a good idea, in fact I don’t think I have found a comfort zone yet. The whole idea behind this leap of faith was creativity and adventure and I expected (sought and found) abundant amounts of it.

I jump from learning about the lengthy editing process to marketing books. I am glad I didn’t look down. I have researched and actioned so much in the past few weeks that it has been hard to keep track of all the avenues. The most important lessons will not be lost though, I plan to share some of my new found knowledge with you. Hopefully the next person with similar Google searches will find more answers with less time and energy used that I expended.

Bruce Elkin © 2016

The one thing I will mention is how much fun this hard work has been! After decades working (extremely hard) for someone else in a thankless profession, I relish the idea of freedom as much as I love experiencing it. The hours used researching and networking to market my book, Fragile Houses  By Nina Lewis, Published by V.Press, have been an absolute pleasure.

Of course, there is always the possibility that I am driving people mad with social media updates. With a week to go and today being my last day of freedom to drive the PR machine, I am in fifth gear.

The good news is there are pre-orders both for mailing and for signing. The fear that no one will want to buy the pamphlet is a thing of the past. The fear that no one will turn up for the Book Launch, a fear of the past. Now the worry energy can be converted into real energy as I attack the final full day pre-launch TO DO list. A day to remember.

A week Monday will be a day I never forget too.

Beginning With Your Last Breath By Roy McFarlane

BOOK LAUNCH Wednesday 14th September

Beginning With Your Last Breath

By Roy McFarlane

PUBLISHED: Nine Arches Press

Roy McFarlane is a gentle man of poetry. He is really supportive of work other people are doing and loves to collaborate. This year has been a busy one for him. He is currently the Poet in Residence at Shakespeare’s Birthplace and has just released his debut collection with Nine Arches Press, ‘Beginning With Your Last Breath’. I was fortunate enough to be at his book launch in Wolverhampton Arena Theatre last Wednesday *thanks to Kathy Gee for the lift.

 Richard O’Brien © 2016

It was an amazing night, that filled me with inspiring thoughts. I often scribble away at events, comfortable in the fact that people think I am making notes for the blog. I filled 6 post-it notes, which doesn’t sound a lot, but as I was attempting to be 100% present in the moment – is quite a lot.

Roy filled the evening with so many talented friends and collaborators, all neatly hosted by Chester Morrison. It was a pleasure to be there and feel part of the magic in the room.

Reis Taylor Dixon started events, an exceptional Pianist and composer. Denzil Fletcher has kindly granted permission for us to use the video, unfortunately WordPress have changed video policy and I need to upgrade to include it. Here is a link to the video on Roy’s social media, scroll down to find it.

Reis Taylor Dixon

Reis was joined on stage by Phil Simpson Poet. Later on we watched Steve Tromans Pianist & composer & Lydia Gianville Percussionist have a total blast accompanying Roy’s poetry and discussing the finer points, which was a real treat. Serena Arthur, Birmingham Young Poet Laureate (who will have to hang up her hat next Month, which is well timed as she is off to study at Oxford University), gave us a confident performance and wowed everyone who hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing her before and those of us who had.

 Richard O’Brien © 2016

The beautiful evening of Jazz and Poetry was topped by Roy performing a set from his collection, accompanied by a soundtrack. This was not just poetry, this was theatre.

This book comes from a deep place and some of the poetry is still raw for Roy, despite this he was brave enough to perform one of those pieces for us. Connections were made.

As if all this wasn’t enough… we even saw Roy dance!

I have yet to find the space to sit and read the collection, but I would recommend it without hesitation.

BUY YOUR COPY

This debut collection of poems by former Birmingham Poet Laureate Roy McFarlane explores love, loss, adoption and identity in powerful, precise and emotionally-charged poetry. From bereavement comes forth a life story in poems; the journey of sons, friends, lovers and parents, and all the moments of growing-up, discovery, falling in and out of love and learning to say goodbye that come along the way.

Themes of place, music, history, and race interweave personal narratives, with poems that touch on everything from the ‘Tebbitt Test’ and Marvin Gaye to the Black Country, that ‘place just off the M6’. Distinct and memorable, McFarlane’s poems are beautifully crafted, intricately focused, moving their readers between both the spiritual and the sensual worlds with graceful, rapturous hymns to the transformative power of love.

 Nine Arches Press © 2016

Praise for Beginning With Your Last Breath

‘There’s something I need to tell you, says a voice in the first poem of Roy McFarlane’s Beginning with Your Last Breath, which opens with a deeply personal and moving account of the discovery of an adoption. But the need to tell resounds throughout this collection – moving through lost love and friendships, the politics of place, race and culture and the salvatory power of music. The writing is always evocative, with a great care for the detail. These are poems of great power.’ – Hannah Lowe

‘So many of these poems have a novelistic power to hold the reader through their tense interior domains. This is a riveting poetry about loss and recovery, about pride, about boxing, basketball, Norman Tebbit and sex, though not all at once. I love the tight yet welcoming lines of each poem and McFarlane’s ability to concentrate the image, my best was perhaps the reference to ‘a stomach filled with cage birds’. Disturbing yet uplifting verse!’ – Daljit Nagra

 Nine Arches Press © 2016

 

RELATED LINKS:
http://roymcfarlane.com/

 

My Pamphlet is a Real Thing: Fragile Houses by Nina Lewis published by V. Press

I am proud to announce that my debut pamphlet, ‘Fragile Houses’ is published by V. Press. Pre-orders can be taken and it is officially released on the 3rd October.

CLICK TO BUY

It is also available from the V. Press stall at The Poetry Book Fair, 17th September.

The official book launch is on Monday 3rd October at Waterstones, Birmingham.

Update – The Write Year – Summer is here

I have updated The Write Year page to include reviews of June to August.

https://awritersfountain.wordpress.com/the-write-year/

 

 

A Month and a Half of Hindsight. Review of August

Another late review.

August was filled with lots of celebrations, it was my birthday (for about 3 weeks), in fact my final official celebration is in a few weeks, unfortunately I have since found out I have double booked the last day of Stratford-Upon- Avon poetry festival to visit a unique seafood restaurant where you cook on volcanic rock. Which will be just as fabulous as watching 10 poets perform and possible just as sizzling!

Review of August

Week 1:

I had 5 poetry events lined up back to back and only managed one, mid-week (I think I was still in recovery from all the driving on Welsh roads). It was a poetry canal boat trip, which I even experienced being the tiller and we were fine until one of the pirate captains aboard announced I was steering and then I lost it and freaked out. In my defence I had relinquished control to pirate no.2 by the time we hit the bank and it was a narrow bit! It was great fun and lovely to meet new people. I scribbled a lot in a notebook, but have only managed one poem so far.

I continued to organise INKSPILL and got stuck into house things – all of which are (for the 3rd year) ongoing. There is so much to do, it can be hard to see the effort making any difference. But I am beyond scratching the surface now, which is good.

Linda Bromyard © 2016

Week 2:

I used Skype for the first time to have a face to face editorial meeting with my publisher. I cannot believe I haven’t skyped before, but there you have it!

I also organised for some poetry friends to come and perform at my family birthday do, I was thinking they may refuse the idea, but were all delighted and it was wonderful to share part of the party with them and part of that side of my new life with my family.

I sent messages of gratitude to all poets acknowledged in my pamphlet. There are many people who inspire me and have done from the start. People who knew about my book in 2015 and recognised (being more experienced) that the eagerness and drive to get it completed was going to need some nurture and explanation and acceptance on my part.

I went to HOWL, performed a poem from my pamphlet *am I mentioning the book again? Had lots of positive feedback on the power of the piece. Which was great because I am only 100% sure of the power of the ending. Good to know the rest works too. To be fair, if it didn’t, it would never have been selected and accepted as part of the collection.

Charley Barnes was performing her 2nd in as many months featured slot. I remember how exciting this was for me at the tail end of 2014 when bookings started to roll in and I love Charley’s reaction to it all. I remember the feeling and it is lovely to share that time with any poet, especially one you are close to.

I watched Mike Alma and Pip feature at SpeakEasy, they have been enjoying a new-lease-of-life collaboration, even recorded their work. Having the backing of Pip’s guitar and the words of some of Mike’s most powerfully emotive poems, is a treat. I performed a set that went down well, lots of great performers on the night. A thoroughly enjoyable event and a packed one at that.

 Mary Davis © 2016

Final editing proofs were signed off and I started the next lesson, seeking endorsements.

I was absolutely delighted to hear back from both poets within 24 hours and doubly excited to hear they both accepted the proposition.

I had a meeting at Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford-Upon- Avon, with Roy MacFarlane, who is currently the poet in residence there. I got to look around the house and everything. I was also inspired to write in the gardens and have one poem that I have written from those notes.

Finally, even as I write this, I can’t believe this is all just one week, Kieran Davis launched his debut poetry collection ‘Laguna’, with Black Pear Press. Kieran’s take over of Worcester in promoting this event was phenomenal, that man has feet, will travel and knows a thing or two about marketing. Worcester News Poet’s Dream Year

 

Week 3:

Saw Ben Parker arrange a poetry night at The Swan Theatre, where he is the Poet in Residence. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend as Mr G and I were going away again, this time for my birthday, this time to Liverpool to celebrate The Beatles. Life is never going to be the same again after The Cavern sing you Happy Birthday, not sure even volcanic rock will top that one!

We had a great whistle stop tour, including the Magical Mystery Tour, saw all we wanted to see, did everything we wanted to do and had one recovery day before my family party and the great poetic performances from Kathy Gee and Maggie Doyle, who I am so glad came and celebrated and showed my family how great this not-so-secret-world of mine can be!

 

Week 4:

Saw the endorsements for my pamphlet returned and the final stages of production were put in place.

I attended a workshop facilitated by Angela France, where we used historical documents to generate writing, I could have happily sat there and read them all day. This was a really great source of inspiration and I have a notebook brimming with ideas to tackle when I next manage some writing time.

I sent an unbelievable email out to try and entice another Guest Writer to INKSPILL (currently still in negotiation). My bravery fuelled by my post-Liverpool/ birthday high!

I started researching website development and builders. I was told in 2014 to get a webpage, every writer needs one and my head cannot even come up with any excuses as to why it has taken 2 years to action this, I think I was waiting until I knew I had something to offer.

I met up with fellow poet and friend, Claire Walker for tea and cake to celebrate my birthday. On our birthdays we indulge each other in writery gifts and I have a particularly funky pen, which she suggested I should use at my book signings. I just might!

I took a new poem to our Stanza group, we had a lovely evening, so balmy that we left the front door and garden doors open for air.

I discovered Brian Patten is visiting in October and was tempted to book a ticket, although it is festival season and I haven’t as yet, but I just might have to.

Worcester LitFest took over the book benches in Crowngate over the weekend and I really wanted to join the team to write poetry on demand. But I had a busy week and lacked energy. This was the week I painted the summer house, it took 3 days.

A full on month on every scale. I love August!

The Weather is more July than September. Review of July

I have learnt many lessons during my pamphlet being published, one of the many is how difficult keeping up with timely blog posts can be. Never underestimate the time it takes a blogger to create a post.

Here we are in September without a review of the summer. So tonight I am posting my review of July and August and updating The Write Year. I should be happily promoting my new book and INKSPILL, I will get to these matters soon. Did I mention I have a book out?

Review of July

WEEK 1:

July started fairly quietly, my priority was to complete editing the pamphlet, which by this point was being batted back and forth between myself and the publishers fairly frequently. Lesson 2 do not underestimate the length of the editing process even after you have completed your manuscript.

On Sunday 3rd July, I happily experienced my first taste of Evesham Festival of Words. I have been aware for many years of AsparaFest but never made one. This year the festival had a revamp. I was one of a merry group of poets completing a walking performance from the Bell Tower, through town and back to Abbey Park. The event was organised by Polly Stretton and this is what people had to say;

Just back from the poetry walk around Evesham’s historic centre, starting in the ringing chamber of the newly-restored Bell Tower. The walk was organised and led by talented poet, Polly Stretton and was supported by lots of other poets. The sun shone and the poetry was really enjoyable. Evesham Festival of Words continues to excel!

Thoroughly enjoyed the poetry walk on the Sunday morning but unfortunately that was the only event I could attend. Well done to all involved. MW

I performed at Stirchley Speaks and had the pleasure of watching Charley Barnes fill her first featured slot. A fabulous night, as always.

I attended a WWM meeting as we set plans in motion for our 2016/17 groups. My new challenge is a new group, different age group and a blended version of the what went before. It isn’t just the name of the groups that is changing. Our first group took place last weekend and it was brilliant! Back in July I was a nervous wreck thinking about it all.

I missed several events I had hoped to attend and continued to plan INKSPILL, including conversations and meetings with our Guest Writers.

WEEK 2:

A heavy week of editorial work, sprinkled with events. I was lucky to meet and watch the awesome (in the true sense of the word) performance poet Buddy Wakefield, when he headlined HOWL, in Birmingham. It was the tail end of his massive UK tour and as he didn’t want to fly any merchandise back home, we were able to buy GOLD at silver prices. I treated myself to his full collection and the very next day opened it randomly (it has one of those lovely soft plastic covers that tease you with smoothness), and read a line, I then started free writing and used that later in a week to create a poem. I have since read the book properly and I am so glad that I have a copy of this book, which I will probably read again before the year is out!

I also managed to get to SpeakEasy to watch a full set of Kathy Gee, I have seen her headline before and have always loved listening to her poetry. It was a pleasure to be there and hear again from her debut collection ‘Book of Bones’. http://vpresspoetry.blogspot.co.uk/p/book-of-bones.html

I heard about a great event (now tomorrow!) ‘Early Bird – An Evening of Poetry Readings’ featuring; David Morley, Sarah Howe, Jo Bell, Luke Kennard, Jonathan Edwards, Claire Trevien. I booked my tickets within minutes of discovering the event.

Open Poetry at the Walsall Arboretum with David Calcutt where we had an enjoyable afternoon in the sun, staff even supplied us with the shade of golfing umbrellas. I performed on the open mic and bought my copy of David’s V.Press pamphlet ‘The Old Man in the House of Bone’. https://davidcalcutt.com/the-old-man-in-the-house-of-bone/

I secured our first Guest Writer confirmation for INKSPILL 2017 – Our annual online writing retreat, which is still FREE.

Week 3:

I discovered I had poems accepted for the ‘We Are Not Alone’ anthology, which is a collection of poetry covering aspects of depression. The anthology is out later this year. They have published a poem I wrote about a man suffering depression in secret and one that is more autobiographical which also appears in my debut pamphlet (have I mentioned it again?) ‘Fragile Houses’, published by V. Press and available from 3rd October. *Well there has to be some positive impact posting a monthly review 2 months late! http://vpresspoetry.blogspot.co.uk/p/fragile-houses.html

I was delighted to have this acceptance as I have hardly written new material for months and my last submissions were made in the spring.

I missed a couple of events and learnt about some marketing opportunities which will hopefully spread the potential audience for my poetry pamphlet.

I signed my poetry contract! A highlight of this year, especially watching the faces of the poet witnesses when they read the title of this collection. My editor was very patient about my chronic indecision and constant brainstorming and I was receptive of her knowledge and advice. You know a title works with the reaction that night.

I started my long summer holiday officially, although I had already had practically the whole last week of term off. There is never much cover work at this point.

I threw myself into getting INKSPILL organised.

Week 4:

Sadly, we said goodbye to another poet this year, Clive Dee. His funeral was arranged and I think he would have been so proud of his kids for the service. He would have loved hearing the laughter and sure he appreciated the splashes of colour that were everywhere. A gentle soul, loved by most people he had contact with and a sad loss to us all. It still doesn’t seem very real at all. He was very secretive about what he was going through so it was a shock to many of us.

I am happy he discovered the world of poetry when he did.

I missed Daniel Sluman and David Clarke performing in Birmingham because the day after Clive’s funeral Mr G and I headed off into the Welsh mountains for our first holiday in 3 years!

We had a wonderful break and it was good to spend time together. The only tech being the TV in our suite, which was bigger than any at home – and Mr G has a big TV!

That was July! A month of high ups and a few broken downs.

Rangzeb © 2014