Loading...
EMIT December 2009 – The Writing Industries
December 7, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
Tickets for the second Writing Industries Conference went on sale last week, and despite quickly selling out of early bird tickets there are still places available. Expect details on how to apply for agent and editor 1-2-1 meetings very soon. This month sees the publication of a new poetry collection from Michael Tolkien, and a review of Kieth Large’s fantastic play The Carrot Nappers. For all this and more, read on!
Damien Walter
Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
Writing Industries Conference 2010
The second Writing Industries Conference will be held on Saturday 6th March at Loughborough University. The conference will bring together writers from across the East Midlands with professionals from the writing industries to share knowledge, develop skills and forge new contacts. Read more
- New collection from Michael Tolkien
- Creative Showcase – Aly Stoneman
- The Kidnapped Carrots of Cambridge
Read more article and news
The Six Perils of Writing Workshops
Imagine if driving was taught by something like writing workshops. Each session, a group of learners would watch a colleague try a manoeuvre. Afterwards they would take turns to say what they felt went right and what went wrong, with occasional input from an instructor. It would be chaos, and not in a good way.
The rise and rise of creative writing courses
Ross Bradshaw asks if creative writing courses give their students an advantage in becoming published. The excellent Tindal Street Press from Birmingham is a well known publisher of fiction from Birmingham, whose modest output has a singularly strong record in being shortlisted or winning various literary prizes. They have just published Roads Ahead, short stories by 22 newish voices, some from the West Midlands, some from further afield.
Read more blogs
EVENTS
Short Fuse presents Flash Fiction Slam
The Unmissably Christmassy Flash Fiction Slam / Friday December 11th. Nerdy Gameshow Host /Sequin-Clad Assistant /Show Jingles /Venerable Judge /Rhinestones /Harshly Accurate Stopwatch /Applause-O-Meter…who will be Crowned 2009’s Flash Fiction King or Queen??? Win £££s! Top Prize £100, 2nd Prize £75, 3rd Prize £50 and Runners-Up Goodies to Include Fancy Undies + Top Notch Show Tickets!!! Read more
Find more events near you.
OPPORTUNITIES
Blogger Alert!
Are you a blogger living in the East Midlands? Do you write about books, reading, literature, spoken or written word arts? Or are you a creative writer publicising your work through a blog? If so LiteratureNetwork.org would like to hear from you. From early 2010 the Literature Network will be publicising writer bloggers around the region. If you would like to be included send a link to your blog to the email address below: damien@charnwood-arts.org.uk
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT November 2009
November 16, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
November brings new publications from Weathervane Press, and new novels and a poetry collection from Sue Moorcroft and Cathy Grindrod respectively. Ross Bradshaw share his diary of a literary holiday, and we discuss what it is we really want from our bookshops. And Derbyshire County Council are looking for a Reading Champion. Are you the one to take up their gauntlet!?
For all this and more, read on!
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
Read more News
BLOGGERS
Bookshops are not churches. But.
Earlier this week the Guardian book website unleashed a tumult of anger and frustration against the UK’s largest bookseller, Waterstones. The thrust of Stuart Jeffries article was that with its increasing commercialisation (3-4-2 sales, celebrity biogs etc etc) Waterstones had gone from saviour to destroyer of bookselling in just over a decade.
Read more blogs
EVENTS
Find more events near you.
OPPORTUNITIES
Derbyshire County Council is looking to appoint a Reading Champion to work with library staff, staff from other Departments and other organisations to encourage a love of books and reading in children and young people.
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT October 2009
October 13, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
October sees a great selection of written and spoken word arts events in the East Midlands. Poets Benjamin Zephaniah, Ian McMillan and George Szirtes visit the region, literary magazine Staple appears at the Hockley Hustle (and elsewhere) and the excellent Showcase Live is at the Peepul Centre, Leicester. Guest blogger Eireann Lorsung shares her experiences of poetry in the USA, alongside 7 Tips to be a Great Writer from James Burt and a guide to the Top 10 Literary Bums from Drew Gummerson. And don’t forget the New Developments in Writing series of talks at Writing School Leicester.
For all this and more, read on!
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
East Midlands Literature Diary
The Literature Network website hosts a literature diary, listing events featuring written and spoken word arts in the Midlands and beyond. Over the last year we have helped to promote hundreds of events from solo poetry readings to major literature festivals. The Literature Network website currently receives over 4000 visits a month and reaches a subscriber list of nearly 1000 individuals with a passion for literature.
Read more News
BLOGGERS
7 Tips for being a Great Writer
More non-fiction books are sold about writing than any other subject, except for cooking and relationships. Most of these guides say the same thing – page after page of level-headed advice like ‘show don’t tell’, ‘write what you know’ and ‘find your voice’. They’re all encouraging, suggesting you can’t make yourself a literary genius but anyone can become a decent writer.
Read more blogs
EVENTS
Benjamin Zephaniah in Nottingham
Famed poet and author Benjamin Zephaniah visits Nottingham to support a fundraiser for Homeless International : Supporting partners in Africa and Asia, working with communities to reduce poverty and to improve living conditions.
- Find Staple magazine in October
- Showcase Live
- Ian McMillan: Talking Myself Home
- George Szirtes at Nottingham Poetry Series
- Hello Hubmarines present MADNESS!
Find more events near you.
OPPORTUNITIES
New Ways with Writing – a series of linked talks exploring the changes affecting writers in the 21st century. Featuring Will Buckingham, Frahana Shaikh, Ross Bradshaw and Damien Walter. Presented by Writing School Leicester.
- The Speculators writing group
- STAGE International Script Competition
- The Stand Book of International Poets
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT September 2009 – Librarians to the barricades
September 14, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
Getting free public libraries was a struggle. So what can we do to keep them? Ross Bradshaw leads the discussion in this months selection of literary blogs, alongside praise for real books from Helen Jaeger and James Burt’s attempt to answer the eternal question asked of all author – where do ideas come from? This September the Literature Network is also seeking an event coordinator for the upcoming Writing Industries Conference, and performance poetry powerhouse Apples & Snakes require a Director. And our creative showcase returns with a profile of fantasy novelist Mark Charan Newton.
For all this and more, read on!
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
Our creative showcase feature returns with a profile of Nottingham fantasy author Mark Charan Newton. After working in bookselling, Mark moved into editorial positions at imprints covering film and media tie-in fiction, and later, science fiction and fantasy. He currently lives and works in Nottingham. His first novel The Reef was published by Pendragon Press. Nights of Villjamur, his second novel, is published by Pan Mcmillan in the UK and Random House in the US. Read more
- Rod Maddocks shortlisted for ITV crime award
- Writers in Residence
- Writing Industries Conference 2010
Read more News
BLOGGERS
Librarians! To the barricades!!
Getting free public libraries was a struggle. So what can we do to keep them? OK, I know that the Old Etonians are about to take over the country from the other mob but if I were to start planning a socialist and green world, the first thing I’d do would be to invent libraries. Read more
- Festivals. What are they good for?
- Critical Risk. An Attempt
- Where do ideas come from?
- In Praise of Real Books
Read more blogs
EVENTS
Fay Weldon will be speaking about her new book Chalcot Crescent as part of the Oundle Festival of Literature’s autumn programme. Chalcot Crescent is vintage Weldon: satirical, political and fantastical, sparkling with intelligence, observation and wit. Prophetic, clever and insightful, this is a novel for our times and our future, told with effortless wit and imagination by one of Britain’s finest novelists. Read more
Find more events near you.
OPPORTUNITIES
The Literature Network and Writing East Midlands are seeking a skilled event coordinator to deliver the annual Writing Industries Conference in March 2010. The WIC Event Co-ordinator will be responsible for finalising the conference programme, liasing with the conference venue and effectively publicising the event. The Event Coordinator will be managed by the Literature Network Coordinator and supported by Writing East Midlands. Read more
- Storyteller (with magic!) Wanted
- Writer’s Studio Hot Desk
- Fresh Blood Contest
- Director – Apples and Snakes
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT August 2009 – Literature Surgeries
August 14, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
After the excitement of the Lyric Lounge, literary life in the East Midlands returns to a more sedate pace. Short Fuse is back from its summer break to offer Pride and Prejudice, and FantasyCon returns to Nottingham. With the sad news of the death of Stanley Middleton, Ross Bradshaw looks back on the life and writing of the Booker prize winning author. James Burt offers some thoughts on big game hunting in second hand bookshops, join in with suggestions for your favourite book shops. And The Literature Network is offering open surgeries to anyone wishing to get help and support with their work…a great opportunity to meet your friendly neighbourhood Literature Network Coordinator in person.
For all this and more, read on!
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
The Lyric Lounge: a roaring success
For seven days and seven nights, from 25th –31st July, The Y Theatre was transformed into a unique performance space celebrating the power of live literature – as part of the cultural programme for the Special Olympics. Around 1500 people attended the festival, which featured workshops, performances, debate, open mic opportunities and exhibitions. The festival focused on poetry, spoken word, rap and monologue, with strong elements of visual art and music. Read more…
Read more News
BLOGGERS
Big Game Hunting in the Bookshop
I love buying things on-line. No matter how strange or obscure the item I want, there always seems to be someone selling it. The most interesting thing I’ve bought recently is a mid-nineties guide to British second hand book shops. This book, by the mysterious Driffield, is long out of date: most of the shops listed that I remember from 15 years back are no more. Read more…
Read more blogs
EVENTS
This Writing School Leicester course will include short exercises, individual and shared, that will help students to understand the art of storytelling. Day by day, students will put together the ingredients required to produce successful fiction. By the end of the week, each participant should have produced the outline of a well-plotted story people with credible characters. Read more…
Find more events near you.
OPPORTUNITIES
Literature Surgeries
Are you a writer looking for support with getting published or developing your career? Do you develop live literature as a producer or organiser and want to find new audiences? Is publishing a passion that you would like support with making a reality? Read more…
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT July 2009 – Polyverse and Lyric Lounge
July 17, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
After months of work and gathering excitement, the mighty Polyverse poetry festival and wonderous Lyric Lounge are finally here! Its not often that two poetry festivals happen at the same time in the same county, but it is a thing worth celebrating. Tickets for both events are selling fast, so book now to avoid disappointment. And even as those festivals are happening another is in the planning. The second Writing Industries Conference is scheduled for early 2010, let us know what you would like to see included in the conference by completing our online survey.
For all this and more, read on!
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
Writing Industries Conference 2010
As we build up to the second Writing Industries Conference in early 2010, please let us know your thoughts about what you would like to see as part of the Eats Midlands regions major networking event for writers and literature professionals. Read more.
Read more News
BLOGGERS
The best libraries in the world? Probably…
What’s the best library in the world? Here are my top three inspirational places. What’s your view? Read more
- “Most book festivals ignore most people.”
- Page vs Stage – Poetry says ‘Write me!’
- Page vs Stage – People are listening to your voice
Read more blogs
EVENTS
The Polyverse Poetry Festival
Carol Ann Duffy, children’s workshops, published poets and much much more at the Polyverse poetry festival. Get your tickets now whilst there are still a few left! Read more.
Find more events near you.
OPPORTUNITIES
Fantastic opportunities for writers at the Lyric Lounge
If you want to come along and have a one to one about your writing or your reading then you can book a session with Bookdoctor Alison Dunne, Festival Patron Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze or Artistic Director, Lydia Towsey. Read more
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT June 2009 – A trilogy of poetry festivals
June 15, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
Right then people, pay attention. The East Midlands literary scene is aflame with activity this summer. Here are just a few of the highlights to add to your diary. The Literature Network is pleased as punch to be sponsoring the apearance of our new poet laurate Carol Ann Duffy at the Polyverse poetry festival (24th – 26th July). And we are extremely proud to be supporting the Lyric Lounge, seven days and nights of poetry, performance and spoken word at the Y-Theatre, Leicester (24th – 31st July). The wonderful Southwell poetry festival (10th-19th July) brings great poets to the Nottinghamshire market town…inlcuding none other than Carol Ann Duffy! Film fans and budding screenwriters will be ecstatic to meet none other than Oscar winner Paul Schrader as part of the Broadway Cinema’s Screenlit festival (28th June – 5th July). And if all of this is too far in the future and just making you impatient the Lowdham book festival is happening right now…!! For all this and more, read on!
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
Graham Joyce Wins O Henry Award
Judges A S Byatt and Tim O’Brien settled on a story by a Leicester author for this year’s O Henry Award, widely regarded as the most prestigious short story award in the US.
Read more Articles
Read more News
BLOGGERS
Lets Have a Golden Age
There are 1,300 creative writers emerging from British universities every year. This ought to be the start of a literary golden age.
- A working class hero is something to be
- Why recession spells opportunity for libraries
- Live Literature Lives
Read more blogs
EVENTS
The Lyric Lounge
Seven days and nights of poetry, performance and spoken word at the Y-Theatre in Leicester featuring John Hegley among many others.
OPPORTUNITIES
Writing Volunteers
The Literature Network are looking for volunteers to help young people and others in need develop their writing skills.
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT May 2009 – What are writers good for?
May 12, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
Hello,
This month on LiteratureNetwork.org I take a rambling tour of the good uses writers can be put to in the 21st Century, and discover that whilst we (writers) may be of little use in post-apocalypse scenarios, there is plenty we can do to make the here and now a better place. We also take a more serious look at the importance of feeding young people whole, nutrituous stories if we we want them to become well rounded adults. And if you find yourself nodding in agreement, think about volunteering some of your time to help young people develop as readers and writers.
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
Whole Books vs. Pot Noodles
No one would raise a child on pot noodles, so when will we realise that young people need real nutrition for mind as well as body.
Read more Articles
Read more News
BLOGGERS
Is creative writing teaching a pyramid scheme?
Creative Writing is a big business. A few years ago the BBC claimed there were more than 600 full time creative writing degree courses at British universities.
Read more blogs
EVENTS
The writing business at Writing School LeicesterYou’ve poured your creativity into writing a novel. Your next job is to get it published. In this workshop you will learn about how to format your work, approaches to writing a synopsis and cover letter, the roles of the lliterary agent and commissioning editor.
Many, many more events near you!
OPPORTUNITIES
Writing Volunteers
The Literature Network are looking for volunteers to help young people and others in need develop their writing skills.
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT April 2009 – Enter the bloggers
April 15, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
Hello,
Why are we Waterstoning down our libraries? How many readers does a writer need? Why do we read at all? These are just a few of the questions occupying the literary bloggers at LiteraturNetwork.org. Lydia Towsey muses on when enough is enough in the world of freelance work. Helen Jaeger questions why libraries are abandoning their Unique Selling Points of books and silence just when they need them the most. Drew Gummerson and James Burt ponder the issue of why we read and why we write. And starting next week Ross Bradshaw asks hard questions about working class literature. Why not join in the debate yourself?
This month our creative showcase features the work of poet Wayne Burrows, including poems and a new prose piece. Peter Deville shares hints and tips on making it in the screen trade gleaned from De Montfort university’s scriptwriting day. And we have details of upcoming events and opportunities for writers. For all this and more, please read on…
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
The Nottingham Poetry Series
A new series of readings, craft talks, and workshops to be held at the University of Nottingham, with the support of the Arts Graduate Centre and the Literature Network, will hold its inaugural reading on 7 MAY 2009 (Thursday), at 7:30 in the evening, in the Angear Visitors Centre at the University of Nottingham. Read more…
Read more Articles
Read more News
BLOGGERS
Waterstoning down our libraries?
I don’t go to my library for coffee. I go for books and silence. So why are our libraries changing ? The future of UK libraries has long been debated. A government push for community involvement – think Idea Store, London UK – means fewer books and reduced quiet. So is this a good thing? Read more…
Read more blogs
EVENTS
Shortfuse: Bitter Bread
Short Fuse returns with the theme of “Sweetbread, Bitter Bread”. Headlining is Tara Gould, reading her story ‘Little Birds’ and you can also catch LiteratureNetwork.org blogger James Burt reading live at this short fiction showcase. Read more…
Many, many more events near you!
OPPORTUNITIES
Writing Speculative Fiction
Writer Damien G. Walter leads two linked courses exploring the the weird world of speculative fiction. An introduction for fans of the genre and a first step to breaking into the industry for advanced students. Read more…
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
EMIT March 2009 – A Dose of Literature Goodness
March 9, 2009 by Damien
Filed under EMIT, News and Features
Connecting the literature community
A Literature Network publication
http://literaturenetwork.org
Hello,
Apologies for the double dose of literature goodness this month. The new LiteratureNetwork.org website is so keen to publicise our events listings that it sent out the last update entirely under its own steam. We’ve given it a stern talking to, and with any luck it won’t do it again.
Speaking of events, there are more than a few of interest in the month of March. Short Fuse follows up its triumphant debut with a patchwork of writers from the region including Drew Gummerson (read an extract from his recent novel here). The Oundle Festival is already well underway but there are plenty more fascinating events to be found there. The Behind the Scene’s workshops continue with a return trip to the Bell Foundry museum and Derby celebrates the wonders of spoken word with its SHOUT!FEST weekender.
Does theatre need new writing, or could we make do with 36 Shakespeare plays on constant rotation? Playwright Sabrina Smith charts her experiences as an emerging writer, from writing schemes to residencies at the Royal Court and work with BBC Writers Room. Sabrina concludes that produced performance is not the be all and end all of life for an emerging writer, but should theatre commit more resources to new work?
LiteratureNetwork.org continues its showcase of regional writing with a call for super stories and powerful poems. We are open to submissions until the end of March only, and are particularly interested in writing that has something to say about the East Midlands. The more orginal and creative the interpretation of this idea, the happier we will be.
Damien Walter, Literature Network Coordinator
ARTICLES and NEWS
Showcase: Drew Gummerson
This month Literaturenetwork.org showcases the writing of Drew Gummerson with an extract from his recently published novel. Drew’s first novel ‘The Lodger’ was a finalist in the Lambda Awards in the States. His latest book ‘Me and Mickie James’, about pop duo Down By Law, was published by Jonathan Cape in July 2008. Read more.
Read more Articles
Read more News
EVENTS
The Oundle Festival of Literature
Highlights of the Oundle Festival of Literature’s seventh programme, which will run from 7th-21st March, 2009 include BBC journalist, John Simpson offering his view on some of the crises facing the world and Political Editor for Sky News Adam Boulton together with journalist and broadcaster Simon Hoggart examining The Blair years! Read more.
Many, many more events near you!
OPPORTUNITIES
Wanted: Super stories and Powerful Poems
The Literature Network is seeking short fiction and poetry for publication on LiteratureNetwork.org, connecting written and spoken word arts today. We want super stories and powerful poems from all genres and traditions that appeal to the readers of LiteratureNetwork.org. Read more.
Many more opportunities for writers.
*****
You are receiving this mail as a subscriber to the EMIT newsletter, a publication of the Literature Network.
To UNSUBSCRIBE please send an email with Unsubscribe in the title to: emit@literaturenetwork.org
