Wonderful evening at the online launch of Black Bough's 'In flight' edition, which I guest edited. It was lovely to host over 30 poets who read their poems from the anthology and the open as mic as well. I shared the selection process, talked emerging themes, companion artwork, flight, and poetry in the time of global conflict.
Thanks to Matthew MC Smith for arranging and intro-ing.
Its been a very busy month attending works shops and book launches for talented friends!
Taz Rahman and Zoe Brigley from Seren held a joint night at Tiger Bay Poetry in Cardiff Bay, reading from their most recent collections and holding an interview section which I always enjoy.
Fabulous poetry weekend in Wales.
Lake swimming and writing near Builth Wells, and the epic Black Bough Poetry Party in Neath.
I've started a new notebook, for a new project, centered around my practice as an architect, which is VERY EXCITING as well.
A joyous evening last night at Clwb Y Bont in Pontypridd - a mixture of poetry and music, and a few local ciders - including an impromptu collaboration between Ben on guitar, and Pete on his harmonica.
Voices on the Bridge, run by Rob Cullen will be hosting a poetry night at Clwb y Bont in Pontypridd, on Thursday 20th July starting at 8pm.
I'll be reading alongside Mike Jenkins, Pete Akinwunmi, Sion Tomos Owen, Nick McGaughey, Mary Kaye, Leigh Manley, Ben Wildsmith & Rob Cullen.
Hope to see you there.
The super poet Karen Pierce Gonzalez from Folk Heart Press has invited me to be the featured poet a North Bay Poetics online session, talking about prose poetry, process, and I'll be reading a few poems too. There is an open mic section and two fellow Welsh poets will be joining, Lesley James @feetpetite, and Kath Hill. Really looking forward to it.
In a couple of weeks time, on Wednesday 14 June, starting at 7.30pm I will be headlining at the regular Murenger Poetry Night, in Newport. Hosted in a 19th Century pub, my 2x 20 minute sets will be followed by Open Mic sessions - sign ups available on the night. Its always a relaxed, friendly, poetry filled night. Thanks to Alan Roderick for the invite.
On Tuesday 31 January I've been invited to give a poetry workshop to each of the three Year 4 classes. They have already been learning about acrostic poetry, rhyme, personification and alliteration, this year and last - so I will need to be on the ball!
I will be introducing and exploring the haibun form with them - an interesting joining of prose and structured poetry.
Their topic this term is 'My Rhiwbeina' - so we will be writing about a favourite place, using all the senses.
Saturday 22th October 2022
As part of Cardiff Writers Circle 75th celebrations, I ran a 'Getting into Print' in person workshop at Cardiff Central Library, supported by Literature Wales. It was a successful afternoon, with productive discussions around 'literary citizenship', editing and publishing.
Geopoetics Wales - Geopoetic Adventures - Snowdonia – open access.
On Saturday 10th September 2022, 11.00 - 16.00 The Scottish Centre for Geopoetics will host a day out: Geopoetics Wales - Geopoetic Adventures, exploring the local Snowdonian lead mines, with an expert guide, starting from Betws-Y-Coed.