Shangwe

Sagra Delle Words - A festival of Words

2012-01-15T15:18:00.002Z

Welcome to sagra delle words. A festival of words.

When: From 3rd to 10th of June 2012.

A residential creative writing course which aims to challenge, inspire and transform your writing.
A week-long residency will be held in the beautiful and idyllic Lazio region of Italy. Home to the capital city, Rome, sagra delle words takes place in OZU, a residential cultural centre close to Monteleone Sabino.

Sagra delle words provides a nurturing environment where both newcomers and experienced writers can write and expand their craft. With expert tuition and the support and encouragement of a writing community, all our participants grow through the experience of collective enthusiasm and the power of the word.

This is your chance to escape from everything that prevents you from writing. Run away and indulge your inner writer as you enjoy the time and space to shape your ideas into that story, or a poem, or a three hundred page novel that you've been itching to write. Through daily workshops and one-to-one consultations, we will aim to give you the skills and confidence needed to take your writing further.
Suitable for beginners as well as experienced writers. Because you're worth it.

How much? The all-inclusive price for accommodation, transfer, tuition, trip to Rome is 465 Euro.

For more information: http://www.sagradellewords.wordpress.com/
http://www.ozu.it/pagina_open.asp?id=67&lin=eng

Email: sagradellewords@gmail.com

LA Experience!

2011-12-06T23:03:00.003Z

Los Angeles (LA) is often billed as the “Creative Capital of the World”, due to the fact that one in every six of its residents works in a creative industry. So, it was with much excitement that I arrived in LA on Thanksgiving (24th November) and spent 10 days there checking out whether this fact was accurate. It is!

The performing arts play a major role in LA's cultural identity and I felt that almost immediately – well the 2nd night actually, when I went along with my friend Mekada Graham, to Santa Monica beach, a very cool place where we came across a few talented street performing artists. First up was Naia Kete http://www.naiakete.com/ who sang and played guitar with two other musicians – fabulous! Then something completely different in the name of street violin performed by Josh Vietti http://www.joshvietti.com/ who is on his way to becoming the world's premier Pop violinist. Josh brings the two worlds of classical music and pop together in an original manner that has not been done before. He crosses genres, ethnicities and age – brilliant!

Next it was the California African-American Museum (CAAM) http://www.caamuseum.org/ Walking through the doors at CAAM and into the galleries, the impact of history, beauty and discovery can take your breath away. It began with Women: Game Changers, the giant banners celebrating 70 women of colour and achievement, their names and greatness undervalued, lesser known and here celebrated. In the Gallery of Discovery, we honoured the nameless, faceless ones who made it possible for African Americans to grow in power and beauty. Miguel Covarrubias was enchanted by the sights, sounds and colours of African American people. He captured that throughout his career.

In Places of Validation, Art and Progression, history and art kept unfolding as we looked deeper into what the world was like for Black artists, collectors, galleries and other institutions between 1940-1980. Just walking through, standing, looking and soaking up history, ancestry, I was left with a great insight into just what these people had done. It felt triumphant.

A thoroughly wonderful historic experience was a visit to The Getty Villa, which is dedicated to the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria and modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, a Roman country house in Herculaneum buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Because most of the Villa dei Papiri remains excavated, many of the Getty Villa's architectural details are based on elements drawn from other ancient Roman homes in the towns of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae.

Over 1,200 works of art from the J. Paul Getty Museum's permanent collection of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities are on view at the Getty Villa. The galleries, organised by theme, include Gods and Goddesses, Dionysos and the Theatre and Stories of the Trojan War, among others. I particularly enjoyed the gardens; the Outer Peristyle, Inner Peristyle, Herb Garden, and East Garden, which are planted with species from the Mediterranean region.

On 29th November, my friend Mekada had arranged for me to do a talk at the California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) http://www.csudh.edu/ where she is an Associate Professor. I shared a summary of my freelance work in the field of literary arts over the last 15 years, which included studying, writing, editing, community development/activist work, guest appearances on mainstream radio, book productions and readings, hosting monthly Shangwe Poetry events at the Poetry Café and much more.

CSUDH is located in a 346-acre campus and educates the most ethnically and racially-diverse student body in the US. Hispanic people comprise 40% of the student body, and African-American people 31%. White people represent 18% while 6% are Asian or Pacific Islander people and 0.6% are American Indian. CSUDH serves one of the poorest areas of LA County.

One totally unexpected and pleasant surprise was discovering that one of my favourite icons of the 70s was appearing at Hammer Museum http://www.hammer.ucla.edu/ on 1st December – what a great start to the month! The legendary Angela Davis and author Robin Levi participated in Hammer Conversations debating recent work, which has focused on incarceration and the criminalisation of communities that are most affected by poverty and racial discrimination. Angela Davis' most recent books are Abolition Democracy:Beyond Prisons, Torture, and Empire and Are Prisons Obsolete? A book signing followed the conversation, where I made several attempts to take some pictures.

Then it was a quick look at Now Dig This! Art and Black Los Angeles 1960-1980, a comprehensive exhibition, which examines the vital legacy of the city's African American visual artists, who – through their work and their connections with other artists from a variety of ethnic backgrounds – made up an important part of the creative community. Including 140 works by 35 artists, many of whom are not well known to the public, Now Dig This! expands the art historical record, placing the work of these African American practitioners within the context of the movements, trends, and ideas that fuelled the arts in Los Angeles during this period. Many of these artists also responded to the civil rights and Black Power movement, and their work reflects the changing sense of what constituted African American identity and American culture.

Photos in ascending order:
Naia Kete;
Naia Kete and her band;
Josh Vietti;
Nicole Moore at California African American Museum;
Nicole Moore at the Getty Villa;
Angela Davis at her book signing at Hammer Museum.

The Digital Way

2011-11-09T15:32:00.003Z

On 8th November, I attended The Digital Way, a Spread the Word's Writers' Autumn Programme event in association with Foyles at Charing Cross Road, London. This was a discussion on digital opportunities for writers.

The Panel consisted of:

Charles Beckett
Relationship Manager - Digital and Creative Economy, Arts Council London.
Charles helps organisations and writers take advantage of digital technology. He has worked with a number of publishers and writers on their digital projects and commissioned a report from the Institute for the Future of the Book on Digital Possibilities for Literature in 2008.

Dan Franklin
Digital Editor, Random House.
Dan is responsible for direct-to-digital commissioning, cross-group digital publishing initiatives and consultant to the publishing divisions on various digital projects. He was previously digital editor at Canongate Books.

Danuta Kean
Publishing Analyst and Cultural Commentator.
Danuta's work appears in national media, including the Financial Times, Independent on Sunday and Daily Mail. She is currently Books Editor for Mslexia magazine and Deputy Director of The Creative Enterprise Cenntre at Brunel University where she teaches the Creative Writing MA.

I soon learned that there have never been so many opportunities for writers to reach readers. E-books, apps, social media, podcasts and self-publishing have enabled writers frustrated by traditional publishing to find a market for their work that is alive with creative opportunities. Along with these opportunities are the challenges as many more writers are using innovative ways to create and produce their work making this just as competitive as the more traditional publishing methods. It is therefore important that you judge the best route for yourself.

Content is important; a strong voice is essential and targeting communities is one way of getting your voice heard. Using social media, e.g. Twitter, Facebook, etc, can ensure you engage with your audience in ways that can open up all kinds of opportunities. Blogs can also help as you can post a sample of your work and request comments/feedback. Readers then become much more valuable to you as you interact with them in your specialist field.

As for self publishing, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that publishers are interested in new writers particularly those who have a successful writing platform already, so it is worth getting in touch with them.

To find out more about Spread the Words' Autumn Programme visit:
http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/

National Poetry Day

2011-10-13T23:06:00.002+01:00

On 6th October, National Poetry Day, I joined in a celebratory afternoon of free events presented by The Poetry Society and Southbank Centre, held in The Clore Ballroom at Royal Festival Hall. This year the theme was 'Games' and featured readings by leading UK poets. Joining them were some rising stars of poetry from the Foyle Young Poets and SLAMbassadors UK. Comperes: Joelle Taylor and Yemisi Blake took us through the following line up, which included:

Critically acclaimed poet and former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen who read alongside Times literary star Laura Dockrill and 'Fire Poet' Philip Wells.

Imtiaz Dharker and Glyn Maxwell, judges of this year's Foyle Young Poet of the Year Award, read their own work with previous winners Helen Mort and Richard O'Brien. We also heard exciting young performance poets Naga MC and Catherine Labiran, previous winners of SLAMbassadors UK. Then it was eyes down for Poetry Bingo with Sally Crabtree.

Bringing the games to a close was award-winning poet Jackie Kay together with Southbank Centre Artists in Residence Simon Armitage and Lemn Sissay, and National Poetry Day Poet in Residence Jo Shapcott. They were joined by National Poetry Day's Jo Bell and Eric Gregory Award-winner Ahren Warner, who launched the latest edition of Poetry Review.

This has to be one of my favourite events of the year as I felt privileged to be in the presence of such artistic excellence, such a wonderful blend of talented individuals. Jackie Kay, who I was particularly looking forward to seeing, was all I expected her to be, especially having recently read her brilliant autobiographical book, Red Dust Road (2010). She is not only a well-acclaimed and talented poet/writer, she's very witty and made us all roar with laughter. I felt inspired for some days after the event, the fond memories of this day will be everlasting.

Photo: Jackie Kay

The Great Debaters

2011-09-23T12:45:00.001+01:00

On 22nd September, I had the unique opportunity to watch a screening of The Great Debaters at Kensington Library Theatre, presented by Black History Walks http://www.blackhistorywalks.co.uk/ and Images of Black Women Film Festival http://www.imagesofblackwomen.com/ The Great Debaters is a 2007 American biopic period drama film directed by and starring two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and produced by Oprah Winfrey and her production company, Harpo Productions.

The film co-stars Forest Whitaker, Kimberly Elise, Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker and more. The screenplay was written by Robert Eisele. This remarkable film is based on a true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College, Texas. In 1935, he inspired students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.

I enjoyed the film alot and found it refreshing to see black characters in positive roles. But more than that, it was inspirational and educational as I'd never heard of The Great Debaters before. The fact that this film has never been picked by any UK distributor saddens me but doesn't surprise me. I've often questionned why is it that some of the best black films are being blocked from reaching our TV screens; it feels like a conspiracy to me. I've witnessed this for far too long. When I spent 3 months in Jamaica from September - December 2007, I was amazed and pleasantly surprised at just how many excellent black (American) films were screened along with other live concerts, e.g. Justin Timberlake (which was outstanding by the way).

Thankfully, there is now an outlet for seeing films such as these and I look forward to being inspired further at future screenings.

For more about The Great Debaters:

www.thegreatdebatersmovie.com/site.html

Respect the 'Fro

2011-09-14T19:37:00.004+01:00

On 27th August I attended Respect the 'Fro, an event dedicated to the Afro held downstairs at Cottons - Rhum Shack in Islington, London, a lovely venue with a Caribbean Restaurant upstairs. It was all about the kinks and curls and respecting the Afro. This was a great opportunity to meet and greet natural beauties who showcased and displayed today's styles and tomorrow's headliners. I was there to promote my latest anthology, Hair Power - Skin Revolution.

It was great to meet likeminded women, particularly Sonia of Evelyn Products, based in Cardiff, whose Fro Her range is formulated to naturally alleviate many common hair ailments. Created by experienced cosmetic chemists, their range only contains ingredients which work with the hair's natural moisture balance and pH balance. For more visit: http://www.evelynproducts.com/

My favourite was Belinda's presentation on her journey to natural hair, referencing the film Malcolm X - the scene when Malcolm X (played by Denzel Washington) has his hair straightened. Malcolm X has said that this action of wanting hair like a white man, was the first step towards self-degradation. Belinda continued her powerful and inspirational talk by sharing some of the mistakes she made at the beginning of her natural hair journey, e.g. cutting her hair, dyeing her hair and using 'natural' relaxers. "There is no such thing," said Belinda.

Belinda emphasised the need to do your own research using the Internet, or books. In fact, Belinda has started to create her own products and is working on launching her hair care range next year.

Belinda's Hair Advice and Tips:

Take photos of your hair journey
Admire other Naturals BUT LOVE YOUR HAIR!
Not every product or hair tool is for you.
Find your own regimen, e.g. of washing/treating your hair
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise (particularly the ends)
Use protective styling; protect the ends so that your're not touching your hair everyday

For more visit Belinda's Blog:
http://www.4nappiness4eva.blogspot.com/

Her final words were:

YOUR HAIR IS YOUR CROWN,
WEAR IT LIKE A QUEEN

Photos - Top: Belinda delivering her presentation;
Bottom: Nicole and Belinda.

Poetry, What's the Point?

2011-08-27T22:28:00.002+01:00

On 26th August, I had the privilege of being in the presence of one of the UK's poetry greats, Benjamin Zephaniah, Poet-in-Residence at Keats House, Hampstead, London at an event called Poetry, What's the Point? This was one of a series of monthly events being held. The last time I saw Benjamin live was on 10th July 2009, at his exclusive show at the Southbank Centre, as part of the London Literature Festival 2009, where he read from new work and older favourites.

I arrived early and had the rare opportunity of talking to Benjamin who said, “The evening is an experiment, a kind of intimate talk amongst friends.” I selected Poetry, What's the Point particularly because of my love of poetry and this 'experiment', turned out to be much more than that. The bonus for all of us delighted folk in the audience was that it was a great platform to share what poetry means to us, starting with Benjamin telling us how using poetry to express his anger - particularly in the late seventies and early eighties when the police 'suss' laws meant that any excuse was used to arrest anyone who looked 'suspicious' - transformed negative feelings into something creative and powerful. “Poetry was also a way of surviving through the National Front's and skinhead's presence on our streets” Benjamin said.

I shared how I write poetry that is mostly personal, with some that has political context depending on the theme and that I found the process revealing and sometimes cathartic as I worked out issues during the artistic process of writing in this way. One thing was evident, that if you write poetry, make it so that it moves from the page to the stage at some point. Yes, consider performing; this is something Benjamin feels strongly about and even though he has books published, this wasn't always the case, especially in the early days of his writing career. Not everyone has reading books as a priority in their lives, what with all the fierce distractions of the Internet, computer games, etc, but people from all walks of life will gain such a lot from hearing poetry, in the same way it feels good to hear lyrics of a song rather than read them in a book. Of course, there's room for both but writing for the page with your reader being an individual audience is different from writing for the stage when you reach a much wider landscape. It's good to have a go at both, making those appropriate changes so that your poetry is as accessible as it can be.

This wonderfully interactive event gave everyone a golden opportunity to soak up the front-room style atmosphere and feel right at home. I left feeling refreshed, inspired and uplifted and urge anyone interested in poetry and any other form of creative writing to pay Benjamin Zephaniah a visit at his next event.

To find out more visit:
http://www.keatshouse.cityoflondon.gov.uk/918/Benjamin-Zephaniah---Events.html
http://www.benjaminzephaniah.com/

Photo: Top – Benjamin Zephaniah & Nicole Moore (courtesy of Georgiana Jackson-Callen, Poet)

Free Reads from The Literary Consultancy

2011-08-17T15:16:00.000+01:00

Do You Need a Read But Can't Afford It?

Spread the Word in partnership with The Literary Consultancy, the highly regarded editorial reading service, has a limited number of Arts Council funded free manuscript reads available for writers on low income.

You can be a writer of non-fiction, fiction, drama, poetry or screenplays and you can apply for a full length read of your whole manuscript or something shorter.

Closing date: Friday 2 September. You can find out more about The Literary Consultancy at:
http://www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk/

For full application details visit: http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/

Good luck!

Writing for Yourself or for Your Readers?

2011-08-16T16:18:00.000+01:00

Do you write for yourself or for your readers? This is a must to explore with your writing and was discussed by Debbie Taylor of Mslexia Magazine on Radio 4's Woman's Hour, presented by Jenni Murray, which also covered the fear of poetry - yes there is such a phobia? Having today listened to the debate I was prompted to write this:

For me it is both - but in this order: I write for myself first and foremost, which allows me to have an element of freedom in getting my words on the page. Next, I am trying to occupy the reader's space with my narrative, in order to provoke insight, emotion, catharsis - stuff that's basically good for people. That process is a slightly mysterious one. It's that altering of the consciousness to a different state in order to resolve and heal. And you've got to work this process first on yourself. You start by doing for yourself what you hope you're going to be doing for the reader. And you get into the pleasure of language and the constructing of the page at hand, and it liberates you. It liberates you from not only your anxieties about what you're doing, but your anxieties about yourself and who you are and what's going to happen next. You have to take it day by day and you have to not worry too much!

To hear the whole debate:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012wzfd/Womans_Hour_Breast_cancer_screening_urban_bees_fear_of_poetry/

Women's Novel Competition 2011

2011-08-07T14:02:00.004+01:00

Mslexia Magazine are running a Women's Novel Competition for unpublished novelists.

First prize is £5,000

Judges:
Clare Alexander, literary agent
Jenni Murray, broadcaster
Sarah Waters, novelist

visit: http://www.mslexia.co.uk/
email: novel@mslexia.co.uk
call: 0191 233 3860
for full details

'It doesn't have to be the truth, just your vision of it, written down.' Virginia Woolf

CLOSING DATE: 30 September 2011

Autobiographical Writing at City Lit

2011-07-26T17:22:00.005+01:00

Explore various resources for autobiography, such as dreams, fantasies, memories, diaries and photos. Whether you are writing for self-discovery, testimony or to tell your story, you'll learn how to make your writing evocative and powerful.

What is the course about?

The skills of autobiographical writing, including how to focus and craft your work. Insight into the sources of powerful autobiographical writing. Developing confidence in giving constructive criticism, and in using it to revise or edit your work.

What topics will be covered?

Depending on the participants' interests the course will include some or all of the following:
- how to start writing autobiography
-exploring different sources of autobiographical writing eg dreams, fantasies and lateral approaches to self-knowledge as well as conscious experience, thought and memory
-how to find themes and other ways of unifying your work
-the relevance of fictional techniques to help you dramatise and structure your writing into something which will fully engage the reader
-use of memorabilia (eg photos, diaries, family, and official records) where appropriate
Students may also explore:
-the different drives to write autobiography
-how to retrieve memories
-how to approach writing about sensitive areas of your life
-issues such as self-exposure, betrayal, and confidence
-selection of material
-the concept of truth or fact in relation to autobiography
-how to get published

What level is the course?

Suitable for people with some experience of creative writing, whether or not autobiographical. Students will be expected to be writing outside class and to read their work out to the class on a rota basis.

How will the students be taught?

Presentations by the tutor on particular topics
Suggestions for writing at home and writing exercises where appropriate
General discussion of approaches, issues and skills
Tutor and group discussion of your written work
Tutor and group discussion of any issues you have around your writing

Most sessions will consist of a balance of teaching and students sharing and discussing their work. Each week two students will be scheduled to share their work for half and hour each. The rest of the session will consist of an open reading, for students to read and discuss shorter pieces of work, and teaching and discussion on a particular topic. The tutor will generally give the first response to a piece of work before opening up the discussion.
If students do not want to read their work aloud other arrangements can be made for sharing the work.
Confidentiality will be respected by the tutor and students, and the atmosphere will be supportive.

The Tutor

Caroline Natzler's collection of autobiographically based short stories Water Wings was published by Onlywomen Press and her stories and poems have appeared in many anthologies and journals. A selection of her poetry Speaking the Wetlands was published by Pikestaff Press in 1998 and her first full length collection of poems Design Fault was published by Flambard Press in 2001. A second, Smart Dust (Grenadine Press) appeared in spring 2009. Caroline has been running writing workshops for many years, both in adult education institutions and on a freelance basis, and is a contributor to Taking Reality by Surprise: Writing for pleasure and publication, ed Susan Sellers (The Women's Press).

Key Course Information

Dates: 13/09/11 - 20/03/12 (24 weeks)
Day: Tuesday
Time: 12.30 - 14.30
Fees: Full fee: £258; Senior fee: £146; Concession: £70
Venue: City Lit, Keeley Street, Covent Garden, London

To enrol call: 020 7831 7831

Still got questions?

humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652
http://www.citylit.ac.uk/

Writing - an update

2011-06-26T13:02:00.004+01:00

I've been busy 'working' on my collection of personal essays and poems for some time now and I wrote this in my journal this morning and decided to share it here:

"On The Single Parent essay - turning experience into the art of writing is not only creative and powerful, it's so revealing, healing even and very rewarding to the self. Weaving words, on complex issues and life's events is an art in itself, as there are so many layers that have to be dispersed and yet they're connected, like a pebble thrown into the ocean has an effect - a ripple effect and a never-ending movement, which may change the ocean's wave patterns; fluidity - nothing ever stays still or stays the same; there is a constant and continuous flux of movement, of activity, however slight.

"And, I've learned so much from each essay that I write; each one appears to be an 'improvement' on the previous one, especially The Single Parent, maybe because this one, this role, has played such a big and significant part of my life in ways that I am seeing with fresh new eyes and yet each piece of creative writing brings different artistic dimensions!

"I love the artistic process; painting with words - the freedom of my mind, body and spirit to create a narrative about my personal life and express it in challenging ways. The ideas come (and go) and I try out, experiment even, since until you have a go, you won't discover what works on your blank canvas.

"Ah, the beauty of the personal essay genre, that and poetry, are my two favourite methods to write in and as 'free' as it is, there is a discipline always; a structure, a form of my choosing and I love that too.

"As I write, the piece takes shape and I can then reflect; the words flowing always in my head until they reach the page."

Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2011

2011-05-18T12:42:00.004+01:00

Renowned worldwide for featuring some of the best and brightest new talent, Wasafiri launched an annual New Writing Prize as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2009. Now in its third year the competition is open to anyone worldwide who has not published a complete book.

Wasafiri are looking for creative submissions (3000 words max) in one of three categories: Poetry, Fiction or Life Writing.

£300 will be awarded to the winner of each category and their winning entries will be featured in Wasafiri.

Simply fill in the form and send it to Wasafiri with your entry and a fee of UK Sterling £6.00 if entering one category, £10.00 for two and £15.00 for three categories (see terms and conditions). Payment may be made by paypal through the Wasafiri website.

The closing date is 5pm GMT on 29 July 2011.

Entrants who are visually impaired or who are prevented from typing through disability can enter work on audio CD.

Download the Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2011 Application Form and let the words flow!
www.wasafiri.org/prizes.asp

National Poetry Competition 2011

2011-04-13T12:37:00.003+01:00

Now in its 34th year, the Poetry Society’s National Poetry Competition is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious poetry competitions. The judges this year are Colette Bryce, John Glenday and Jackie Kay. Winners include both established and emerging poets and for many the prize has proved an important milestone in their professional careers. Add your name to a roll-call of winners that includes Carol Ann Duffy, Ian Duhig, Philip Gross, Jo Shapcott and Tony Harrison – and have your work published in the Poetry Society’s leading international journal, Poetry Review.

The prizes are: £5,000 for the overall winner, £2,000 for the second, £1,000 for the third, with seven commendations of £100.

The deadline is 31st October.

Enter online or download an entry form at www.poetrysociety.org.uk www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/competitions/npc/

My Nappy ROOTS

2011-03-27T12:39:00.013+01:00

On 26th March I was invited to participate in a panel discussion after the screening of My Nappy Roots, A Journey Through Black Hair-itage, shown at the Rio Cinema in Hackney, East London. The event was organised by Sylviane Rano, Co-founder and festival Director of Images of Black Women Film Festival http://www.imagesofblackwomen.com/

My Nappy ROOTS tells its story largely through the voices of people who were, and are, instrumental in the changes that have influenced the cultural images, aesthetics and behaviour of Black Americans. Filmmakers Regina Kimbell and Jay Bluemke assemble a world-class line-up of celebrities such as Vivica A. Fox, Patti LaBelle, Ella Joyce and Malcolm-Jamal Warner to name but a few.

I found it particularly interesting watching the history of how the black hair industry, which includes the massive market for products such as 'human' hair and the hundreds of hair sheens and relaxer creams that saturate the high street shops, has developed and how those fast-selling products have slipped out of the control of the black folks who created them into the hands of anyone and everyone who seizes a business opportunity. There is no colour bar when it comes to making money!

The post-screening discussion panel included Margot Rodway-Brown, of Adornment, a natural hair care business and explored how black women adjust their self-images to the world they live in faced with the dominant messages they are bombarded with from the media and beauty industry.

I talked about my work as an Independent Publisher of Shangwe Press and my motivation behind the publication of my latest anthology of poems and personal essays, Hair Power Skin Revolution. Members of the audience shared their concerns about the sometimes lack of care at the receiving end of a hairdressing visit and I emphasised how important and essential it is that we as consumers take control of our hair and question hairdressers about the products they use, as there is often ignorance as to how risky these products may be and how one size doesn't fit all when it comes to the wide and varied textures of our hair.

There then followed a networking opportunity at the Open the gate cultural cafe a few hundred yards distance from the Rio Cinema, which is definitely a comfortable place to relax and chill. http://www.openthegate.org.uk/

Photo left to right: Nicole Moore, Margot Rodway-Brown & Sylviane Rano at Open the Gate cultural cafe

Grants for writers

2011-03-22T20:08:00.003Z

The Society of Authors invites applications for grants from the Authors' Foundation. The half-yearly closing date for the award is 30th April 2011. The following one will be 30th September.

The Authors' Foundation assists writers of fiction, poetry and non-fiction. Any published author working on a full-length book for a British publisher who needs funding (in addition to the advance) for research, travel or in order to 'buy time' is welcome to apply. Grants vary according to the author's particular needs, but are unlikely to exceed £3,500.

Without a contractual commitment by a publisher you may apply so long as you have had at least one book published and there is a strong likelihood that your next book will be published.

Further information at:
www.societyofauthors.org
or contact: Paula Johnson at the Society

Hair Celebration

2011-03-11T11:32:00.012Z

On 10th March I was invited to speak at Hair Celebration, an International Women's Day event inspired by my anthology Hair Power Skin Revolution. Over forty people attended the event, which was hosted and supported by John Egbo, Arc Artistic Director and his team and was held at the Art Arc in North London.

The event started with me reading a short extract from Hair Power Skin Revolution's Introduction, so as to give a little history and context of my ideas before the book was conceived. I spoke about the Black History Month project I initiated in October 2008, which involved establishing a Hair Stories Blog of short pieces during that month and how that evolved into widening the scope of the project and independently publishing an anthology of poems and personal essays (with the support of a Grants for the Arts Award).

Three of the anthology's contributors read their hair stories: Colette Machado read Naturally Relaxed, Patsy Antoine read Growing Roots and Brenda White read Hair to Stay. I read my poem called My Hair. Interwoven with the readings was a lively discussion with a wonderfully dynamic and talented audience and although us women outnumbered the men, the men's voices were welcomed and expressed and felt like a breath of fresh air. John Egbo's hosting skills created a well balanced atmosphere and ensured the event's celebration and humour stayed throughout some occasional intense discussion and was much appreciated by us all.

Leeto Thale, a talented male poet from the audience, shared his poetic perspective on black women and hair and his improvised and inspiring performance was well received judging by the cheering and loud applause. The event also featured "Miss Nappy-Head" sculptures by Jackie Mwanza.

Many thanks must go to John Egbo who supported the event and provided wine and light refreshments and to the contributors Colette Machado, Patsy Antoine and Brenda White who read their hair stories.

Arc is a centre dedicated to the appreciation of the arts, with a specialist interest and knowledge of promoting modern and contemporary African and Diaspora Art. For more information visit:

http://www.artarc-collective.com/

Photos courtesy of Chris (Arc Team) in ascending order L-R:

Nicole Moore, Brenda White (seated) Leeto Thale (standing)

Brenda White, Nicole Moore & Patsy Antoine

Colette Machado & Audience Members - John Egbo far right

Black Expressions

2011-03-05T22:30:00.006Z

On 4th March, I went along to a group called Black Expressions, that meets on a monthly basis at the 5th Floor of Waterstones, Piccadilly Circus, London. Black Expressions discuss issues that are relevant to the black community. I was invited by the group's host, Angela Rweyemamu, to discuss my work as a writer/editor, particularly the independent publishing process of Hair Power Skin Revolution and the subsequent readings that the book has been generating.

The theme of the meeting was to look at and discuss images of black women's beauty. The book Black Beauty by Ben Arogundade was referred to (I must get a copy too!) A lively and inspiring debate evolved along with some light refreshments, in lavish surroundings, which felt like a much-needed treat at the end of the week. I read one of my contributions to my book, a poem called My Hair, which expressed my journey from childhood to adulthood and to the present time, and how relaxed and relieved I am to wear my hair natural. I ended up buying a lovely journal for my creative writing projects.

For more information on Waterstones at Piccadilly Circus:
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/navigate.do?pPageID=200003

New African Woman - Book Review

2011-01-24T21:44:00.005Z

It's always a good thing to have your book reviewed so when Belinda Otas contacted me for an interview about Hair Power Skin Revolution, I eagerly accepted. The review has now been published in The New African Woman Magazine, Issue 8, (out now).

The New African Woman Magazine is such a refreshing read, full of inspirational articles and fashion that I can relate to. On page 58 Hair Revolution - has a special focus on why a lot of Black women are going back to their natural "roots" with an ever-growing number ditching the chemical relaxer and "human" hair weaves. (Hallelujah!)

The New African Woman Magazine was awarded 'Magazine of the Year' at the second annual Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts (BEFFTA) Awards, announced at the awards ceremony held last October.

To read the book review, (pages 96-98) please click on the following link:

http://headley.co.uk/headturner/NAWwinter2010

100: WORDS

2011-01-21T21:56:00.001Z

Introducing Rowena Keaveny, a visual artist living in Ireland, inviting you to take part in an on-line project she recently started called 100:WORDS.

It examines and celebrates loss, love, life and the passing of time and asks people to describe the life they have experienced using 100 words or less.

You can see the project at:
http://www.lifein100wordsorless.wordpress.com/ or on facebook 100words. So far Rowena has received submissions from the USA, Canada, Finland, Italy, France, Australia, and the U.K. She is hoping that there will be a publication and short film to accompany the project but this will be determined by the amount and type of submissions received.

Please feel free to pass the details on to anyone you feel maybe interested in the project.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-10T11:40:00.003Z

I hope you have all had a wonderful festive season and are refreshed and ready for 2011. I always feel inspired at the start of a New Year and motivated to set a few goals. However, rather than going full steam ahead and setting the goals, I started by reviewing 2010 and logging any victories and successes, no matter how big or small. They are all important. Keeping a journal made this task easy as I have started logging A Round Up of the Month, where I list those moments of the day (although not all of them are successes, but I didn't focus on those).

Setting goals after reviewing 2010 provided clarity as I could see that the past successes fuelled and motivated my future plans. So what have I committed to on paper in relation to my writing development?

To write daily
To read daily
To complete my collection's manuscript of personal essays and poems by May 2011

On that note, I would like to thank all of my followers, writing contacts and those who have supported my arts activities throughout 2010. I wish you all a focused 2011 and one where your writing in particular gains momentum and goes from strength to strength!

Mslexia Competition 2011

2010-12-23T19:40:00.003Z

Women's Short Story Competition 2011
1ST PRIZE £2,000, including a one-week writing retreat at Chawton House Library plus a day with a Virago editor.
2ND PRIZE £500, 3RD PRIZE £250
Three other finalists will win £100 each
All winning stories will be published in Mslexia magazine.

SEND ENTRIES TO:
Women's Short Story Competition,
Mslexia Publications Limited, PO Box 656,
Freepost NEA5566, Newcastle upon Tyne NE11 1BR.
(Postmarked no later than 24 January 2011. No need for a stamp - UK only.)
To submit online visit www.mslexia.co.uk

CLOSING DATE: 24 JANUARY 2011

Good luck!

EGA School Visit

2010-12-04T14:22:00.005Z

On 30th November, as part of research for my new collection of poems and personal essays, I visited my old secondary school, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language School for Girls http://www.egaschool.co.uk/ formerly called Starcross.

I was given the opportunity of a 50-minute session with Year 9 students, aged 13, during their English lesson, courtesy of English teacher, Teresa Osubonsu. I began by discussing my school life experiences with the students, particularly the stark difference in opportunities that I was challenged with when I moved, at the age of 13, to Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. I went on to discuss my past and current writing projects.

The visit was a great experience with lots of student participation. One bright spark asked me whether I would be paying a visit to do research on the secondary school I attended in Wellingborough, so as to compare both schools, which I had thought about but was hesitant, wondering what it would achieve. However, I now think it would be of interest just to have a fair and up-to-date perspective on both schools.

To show my appreciation for this opportunity, I donated a copy of my recent anthology Hair Power Skin Revolution to EGA's school library.

Photos in ascending order:

Nicole Moore & Year 9 students (some of them!) courtesy of Teresa Osubonsu

Ferus Tesfay, Year 10 student who I nabbed in the library.

Hair Research

2010-11-30T17:37:00.004Z

Valerie Tomlin is researching a book which looks at black people’s cultural identity through their hair. She is questioning how much our hair holds deep symbolic meaning about who we are, or whether it is just a self-indulgent concern, a diversion from the real issues in a complex global world?

She would like to explore:

Some of the critical incidents that have shaped your thoughts and behaviour about your hair styling choices.

How you manage the relationship between your hair grooming practices and your general wellbeing.

If you are willing to answer a short questionnaire please contact Valerie at vtomlin76@btinternet.com
T: + 44 (0) 7791 275 105

Valerie is particularly keen to hear from 15-30 year olds.

Deadline: 10 December 2010

Small Publishers' Fair 2010

2010-11-14T12:28:00.006Z

On 13th November, as part of the Small Publishers Fair 2010, I was invited to participate in an afternoon of readings, held in the Brockway Room at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London. The Small Publishers Fair is an international fair celebrating books by contemporary artists, poets, writers, composers, book designers, and their publishers.

I read extracts from Hair Power Skin Revolution’s Introduction: The Journey So Far, and contributor Fiona Joseph read her personal essay Hair Wars: Growing up Frizzy followed by Pauline Walker who read her personal essay ‘Your Hair is Your Beauty’. I ended the reading with two of my poems from the book’s skin section – SKIN and Lost for Words.

I met some lovely people, Yasmin, who is studying at Kings College, London and who wants to write a dissertation on the subject of Black women and hair and I look forward to our dialogue developing soon; also Sophia and Valerie who had heard about the event through CatchaVibe’s website and who were keen to discuss the book’s themes further.

The event went well despite a small audience and with only a 30 minute slot, the usual interactive debate developed quite naturally in the lobby area where refreshments were available. As usual, I felt inspired by meeting such dynamic individual women and feel sure we will meet up again soon either on the net or at another event.

Thanks must go to contributors Fiona Joseph and Pauline Walker and to the Small Publishers Fair organisers Martin Rogers and Alan Halsey for supporting this event.

For more information about the Small Publishers Fair,

please visit: http://www.rgap.co.uk/

Photos in ascending order:

Pauline Walker, Nicole Moore & Fiona Joseph (courtesy of Yasmin)

Fiona Joseph

Pauline Walker

Spread the Word 15

2010-11-13T17:37:00.008Z

On 12th November, I was invited, courtesy of Patsy Antoine, to Spread the Word's 15th Anniversary Party at Brixton Library, South London. This was a party to celebrate 15 years of looking out for London's writers. Hosted by Malika Booker, our entertainment included an opening presentation by Bernadine Evaristo, author and former Director of Spread the Word; writer Karen McCarthy Woolf who did something weird in the weird corner! Stacy Makishi performed 'There's a Hole in My Heart That Goes All The Way to China' and Patsy Antoine & Nathalie Teitler answered questions on the Wall of Sound...

I met some new contacts, including Barra pictured with me celebrating above, and some old contacts including Olu, who has won several prizes for short stories, and is an inspiration to be in the presence of. It was just a lovely way to party, literary style of course!

Oh and as I was leaving, I was presented with a wonderful goody bag, which included a copy of Stephen King on Writing, which I have heard is a must read memoir of the craft, a copy of Poetry London and a copy of Home from Home, which presents a snap shot of the Elephant & Castle at the beginning of the 21st Century, by Eva Sajovic (photos) and Sarah Butler (text).

Spread the Word is a catalyst for developing writers. They provide a dynamic range of services and opportunities for all levels of writers including advice and information, networking, mentoring, events and work in the community. For more information, please visit: http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/

As always, I felt so inspired by this event, that during my tube journey home, I got busy jotting down notes for my new collection of creative writing (poems & personal essays) and that is what it's all about...

Photos in ascending order:

Nicole Moore & Barra - courtesy of Patsy Antoine

Patsy Antoine

Nicole Moore

Streetlife FM - Waltham Forest

2010-11-04T13:23:00.009Z

Another great start to the month, today, I was invited by Gillian Lawrence as a guest on Streetlifefm radio show, with presenter Mary Blue, based at a new space in Waltham Forest College, East London.

I have to admit I love participating in radio shows; its the spontaneity that inspires me, and this community show was fun! I even got to select a playlist of 3 of my favourite songs, which included Exodus by Bob Marley and two tracks from The Diary of Alicia Keys CD (If I was your woman; If I ain't got you).

My slot lasted about 25 minutes and included me discussing my background as a writer/poet and reading extracts from my book Hair Power Skin Revolution's poems: My Hair and Lost for Words.

As luck would have it, I have been invited to appear on Mary Blue's show again on Thursday, 2nd December. Watch this space...

Photos courtesy of Gillian Lawrence in ascending order:

Nicole Moore & Mary Blue

Nicole Moore

For more info about Streetlifefm visit:

http://www.streetlifefm.com/

Trees at a Sanatorium - Shaun Levin

2010-10-24T18:50:00.004+01:00

Along with Sylph Editions and Piano Nobile Gallery, I joined Shaun Levin for the launch of his new book, Trees at a Sanatorium, held today at Kings Place http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/

The book is part of a new series of monographic explorations of 20th- and 21st-century paintings. The first folio explores Mark Gertler's painting "The Bathers", pictured above, which was hanging at the launch party!

Shaun Levin's story was written specifically for this publication. It is a meditation on landscape and the importance of intimacy in artistic creation. Levin wrote this story visiting places where Gertler stayed - whether out of choice or necessity - from the sanitorium at Banchory in Scotland, to Catalonia, to Paris and the gardens at Garsington Manor.

For more information about Shaun Levin and his publications visit:

http://www.shaunlevin.com/

Writing Our Legacy - Brighton Black History Month

2010-10-22T12:11:00.008+01:00

As part of Black History Month, I was invited to participate in Writing Our Legacy, a Brighton & Hove Black History Month literary showcase held on 21st October 2010, at the Redroaster Coffee House, St James Street, Brighton.

It was a real privilege to take part in this fabulous event, well attended by over 70 people, which showcased a dynamic mix of poetry, prose, dance, music, arts and literary greatness.

I met key people: volunteers on the Black History Month project http://www.brightonblackhistorymonth.org.uk/ part of Brighton & Hove Black History project http://www.black-history.org.uk/ the Positive Hair Day project http://www.positivehairday.org.uk/ and the Mosaic project http://www.mosaicequalities.org.uk/ a Black & Mixed Parentage Family Group.

More importantly, I received 5-star treatment from the Black History Month organisers, namely Amy Riley, who came across my anthology, Hair Power Skin Revolution, on http://www.itzcaribbean.com/ while searching for authors to read at the event; Bert Williams, Chair of the Black History Month project, who met me at Brighton station and gave me a quick tour and information guide of the very important and impressive Black History Month project, which continues to develop on a daily basis all year round; Sarah Lee, who set up the Positive Hair Day project, Edi Mandala, our MC for the night, and Tony the DJ who took care of the sound/mic checks, and Kat who took the photos above.

And as if that wasn’t enough, I was treated to a pre-show meal with the Black History Month crew, at Sing-Tong Thai Cuisine, above the Pond Pub in Gloucester Road, where I ate the most delicious food that I had to find the chef and pay him my compliments!

The showcase line-up was impressive and included Margaret Busby OBE, Woodrow Phoenix, Monica Akila, Rounke Williams, Uschi Gatward, Spliff Richards, Ed Siegle with short readings from the Positive Hair Day project.

I read extracts from Hair Power Skin Revolution’s Introduction: The Journey So Far, extracts from Our Crowning Glory, a hair essay by Dr Valerie Mason-John and my hair poem, My Hair and judging by the loud applause and feedback received during the interval from such a conscious, cultured and appreciative audience, I just know that I’ll be visiting Brighton again very soon!

Hair Power Skin Revolution - Millfield Arts Centre

2010-10-14T13:15:00.014+01:00

As part of Black History Month, I was invited to host a Hair Power Skin Revolution book reading event on 13th October 2010 at Millfield Arts Centre http://www.millfieldartscentre.co.uk/ based in Edmonton, North London. The event was well attended by over 80 people and two contributors read their hair story and performed a poem and I read extracts from my hair story and personal essay.

The audience participation was particularly encouraging and interactive with thought-provoking and inspiring questions being raised about the issues of hair and skin. Natural hair tips were discussed and shared and the discussion about the increasing use of skin lightening creams within the Black (and Asian) community here and in the Caribbean was informative and enlightening. (The above collage was displayed).

The line up went as follows:
Nicole Moore read extracts from The Journey So Far: An Introduction.
Daniella Blechner performed her poem Hair We Are accompanied by Amelia Parillon.
A short film, Hair We Are, made by Daniella Blechner, was screened: a poetry based comedy that follows two young girls who explore their black identity through hair.
Colette Machado read her hair story Naturally Relaxed!
Nicole Moore read extracts from a personal essay from the skin section, Are You Black or White?

Many thanks to the contributors who made the evening a great success. And of course, many thanks to the Millfields Arts Centre staff, Paul Everitt, Arts Centre Manager and Nick Coult, Customer Services Team Supervisor, who supported the event in a professional and helpful way. The venue, Millfield Cabaret, is a lovely space and I thoroughly enjoyed hosting the event there and hope to be back again sometime soon!

Photos in ascending order:
Group photo:
L to R: Colette Machado, Nicole Moore, Daniella Blechner & Amelia Parillon
Contributors:
Daniella Blechner & Amelia Parillon
Colette Machado

Skin-lightening cream adverts

Natural Lounge Meet Up - 4th Book Reading

2010-10-02T17:48:00.009+01:00

What a great start to the month. Today, I was invited to read extracts from my book Hair Power Skin Revolution at The Natural Lounge Meet Up http://www.thenaturallounge.com/ at the Traffic Bar in Holborn, London. This is the 4th book reading that has been held. I talked about how the idea for the book evolved from a Black History Month project in October 2008, where I collected and edited black women's Africentric natural hair stories to post on a new Hair Stories Blog http://www.hairjournal.blogspot.com/ I read my hair story, A Journey to Natural Hair and ended with a poem Settling In from Louisa Adjoa-Parker, one of the book's contributors.

The agenda included an official welcome from Jennifer Jumbe of Big Idea's Networking, http://www.bigideasnetworking.com/ who also hosted the event. Girl in a Thunderbolt, http://www.girlinathunderbolt.com/ performed two of her latest tracks from her new album Seven Sisters.

After the break, Michelle Olorunda gave a talk, Caring for your Hair - The Natural Way with Naturally Nubian who also has a popular You Tube Natural channel www.youtube.com/user/NaturallyNubian.

The event was well attended by over 100 people, which generated alot of inspiring and thought-provoking debate, including Natural Hair in the workplace, which focused on one of the main reasons why people don't want to go natural is because they are afraid it is perceived as not professional for the work place. I felt that most of the commentary was positive in that women shared that often it was other black women who questioned their decision to go natural and that in most cases, natural hair is embraced rather than frowned upon.

Thanks must go to Angel Smith who set up the natural lounge website and organised the event. I'd also like to thank Anduosjahla James-Wheatle, one of the book's contributors, for her support by accompanying me and taking the photos posted above.

Waterstones' Literature Event

2010-09-18T13:09:00.010+01:00

The 3rd Hair Power Skin Revolution book reading event was held at Waterstones, Enfield, on 17th September 2010. The event was well attended and four contributors read a rich mix of their hair story, poems and personal essays and with an eager and interactive audience, an inspiring questions and answers session followed. The line up went as follows:

Patsy Antoine read her hair story, Growing Roots
Yvonne Witter read her personal essay, Natura Politica
Dorothy Cornibert du Boulay read her poem, Jan Blan Hair
Jennifer Hooper read her poem, Skin Layer

This was the first reading event I had held in a mainstream bookshop and it felt so good to have the support of Waterstones’ staff and to be immersed in a room full of books! It was a cosy and intimate atmosphere and judging from the warm vibes in the room and the conversations I had during the break and at the end of the evening, the event was enjoyed by all.

Many thanks to the contributors whose participation enlightened us by making their work come to life in a way that just doesn’t and cannot happen when it is read to yourself. Many thanks to the audience participants, many of whom had come from far and wide, including Rosa Garman who was returning to Edinburgh on the 11pm train later that evening! (By the way, Rosa is collecting hair stories for her studies, so do check out my blog posting dated 13/08/10).

And of course, many thanks to the Waterstones' staff who supported the event and provided the refreshments!

Photos in ascending order:
Group photo:
L to R: Patsy Antoine, Nicole Moore, Jennifer Hooper and Dorothy Cornibert du Boulay
Contributors:
Patsy Antoine
Yvonne Witter
Dorothy Cornibert du Boulay
Jennifer Hooper
Group photo, courtesy of Waterstones’ staff member
Remaining photos, courtesy of Nicole Moore

Word Power

2010-09-11T20:34:00.004+01:00

Centerprise presents

WORD POWER

VOICES OF THE BLACK DIASPORA 2010

4TH ANNUAL WORD POWER
LITERATURE FESTIVAL & BOOK FAIR

Dozens of authors, hundreds of readers,
thousands of books, all under on roof.

Book Fair: 15th 16th 17th October

Admission: Free - Time 10am - 9.00pm

Centerprise, 136 Kingsland High Street

London E8 2NS

Tel: 020 7254 9632

E: eamevor@centerprisetrust.org.uk

W: http://www.centerprisetrust.org.uk/

BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour

2010-09-01T12:58:00.005+01:00

The Politics of Black Hair

On 30th August, BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour broadcast a programme presented by Jane Garvey, which was devoted to the history, politics and colour of hair. The programme explored how hair has been used to indicate status, power and politics throughout the ages and across cultures.

I was pleased to participate in such a discussion along with music journalist Jacqueline Springer. We covered the politics of weaves, wigs and relaxers and I emphasised how I wear my hair natural, i.e. unprocessed and would advocate natural hair over the lengths that a lot of black women will go to achieve longer, smoother straighter 'good hair', using relaxers, weaves (which I tried once in the seventies and lasted only 3 days as I couldn't bear it).

I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in such a lively debate on hair and of course have to give thanks to the producer Dianne McGregor who spent quality time carrying out research by talking to me before the show and to Jane Garvey who I thought presented the show in a creative and innovative way.

Thanks must also go to Norma Treasure-Garwood, a contributor to my anthology Hair Power Skin Revolution, who informed me about the forthcoming Woman's Hour programme.

To listen to the podcast which will be listed under 30th August, please visit:

www.bbc.co.uk/womanshour

Photo courtesy of BBC Radio 4:

L-R Fashion Historian Caroline Cox, Vidal Sassoon's Hair Colour Director Edward Darley, Presenter Jane Garvey (seated), me and music journalist Jacqueline Springer.

Jilted, Circa 2005

2010-08-28T14:23:00.002+01:00

Introducing Hannah Edeki, a new poet and writer, born and bred in London. Her work has been published in The New Black Magazine, Shangwe News and Palapala Magazine.

Jilted, Circa 2005

I have seen the yellow corydalis
Tilt its trumpet-shaped head towards
A bed of unsculptured green,
Watched the long-tongued bees veiled with pollen,
Oscillating, celebrating.

I have tasted the decadent sweetness
Of my fiancés kiss, quaint & still,
I have seen the shortcomings of a satiated soul.

I have held the arms of one believed to be strong,
Felt the weakness that punctures a wounded heart,
Jilted: I have thought about drifting
Along salty air like fulmars—

Ascending,
Migrating,
Fading.

SLAMbassadors UK

2010-08-20T17:00:00.004+01:00

SLAMbassadors UK - The Poetry Society’s pioneering performance poetry championship. The Poetry Society is proud to announce that Adisa The Verbalizer will be judging this year’s SLAMbassadors Championship alongside poet, and Artistic Director of SLAMbassadors UK, Joelle Taylor.

Adisa exploded onto the London performance poetry scene in 1993 and was championed as the ‘future of poetry’ by Benjamin Zephaniah. Adisa is a keen supporter of SLAMbassadors UK and is looking forward to seeing all the entries to the championship.

The Poetry Society’s SLAMbassadors UK is now open for entries. Wherever you are in the UK – if you have something to say on the theme of “Identity” – we want to hear it.

“Listening to last year’s Slam poets reinforced my belief in the power of the word. These poems were more powerful than any political speech, they were more honest than any lecture, they spoke of history, they spoke of now, and they spoke of the future. It’s our duty to write and chat our story because if we don’t, some so called expert will do it for us, and if that happens we have no right to complain.” – Poetry Society Vice President and SLAMbassadors patron Benjamin Zephaniah

SLAMbassadors UK, the Poetry Society’s pioneering performance poetry championship, is dusting off its microphone, flexing its lips and sweeping the stage clean to prepare for its ninth year of exhilarating live events! The national championship is open to all 12-18 year olds living in the UK who write an original two-minute performance piece around the theme of “Identity”, exploring their place in the world. It encourages young people to reclaim their voices, edit them and amplify them to the nation.

The deadline for receiving videos is on 29 October 2010.

For more info:
Telephone Lisa Roberts on 020 7420 9895 or Alan Ward on 020 7420 9886
Email: marketing@poetrysociety.org.uk
www.poetrysociety.org.uk

Hair Stories Wanted!

2010-08-13T17:18:00.003+01:00

I met Rosa, pictured above, at the You're Beautiful, Woman event on 7th August and agreed to help her collect hair stories:

'DO YOU HAVE A HAIR STORY TO TELL? I am a student at Edinburgh University and I am currently writing my dissertation on the politics that surround Black and mixed raced women's hair in Britain specifically looking at the motivations behind hair relaxing. I am interested in ANYTHING you have to say about your hair. If you are interested in helping me with my research or have any questions then please send me an email. Just write your personal hair story with your age, ethnicity and occupation to:

yourhairstory@hotmail.co.uk

You can write anything you like and feel, in anyway you wish, all I ask for is honesty. These hair stories (unless you state otherwise) shall then be put together and emailed back to you in the form of an independent magazine so we can appreciate both the common and different experiences that we all go through as Black and Mixed Raced women with our hair. All entries will remain anonymous.

Deadline date: 1st November 2010.

I look forward to hearing from you! Rosa'

Hair Power - Skin Revolution US review breaks

2010-08-10T13:10:00.005+01:00

Book reviews are particularly important as they can influence a potential buyer's purchase as well as give a little insight into the book's content and style, so when Margaret Auguste, a contributor to Hair Power Skin Revolution wrote to me saying how all her friends and family are really enjoying the book and that she had shared the book with her book club and have decided to read it for their August meeting, I was thrilled. Margaret also agreed to write a review of the book.

Margaret then went on to say, 'I really think more people here in America would enjoy the book if they knew about it.' She also suggested a few valuable contact websites. Little did she know that I had make the book available in the US on http://www.amazon.com/ but of course that didn't mean people knew about it, so I followed up the contacts she suggested.

One contact requested I post them a review copy of the book, saying that he couldn't promise a review as only one in five books may be chosen . No problem, I thought and eagerly set off to the post office with the book.

Just under a week later, on 3rd August, a review was posted on The Sly Fox Film Reviews site, published by film critic Kam Williams, Voted Most Outstanding Journalist of the Decade by the Disilgold Soul Literary Review in 2008. Kam Williams is a syndicated film and book critic who writes for 100+ publications around the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada and the Caribbean. He is a member of the New York Film Critics Online, the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee and Rotten Tomatoes.

In addition to a BA in Black Studies from Cornell, Kam Fox has an MA in English from Brown, and MBA from The Wharton School, and a JD from Boston University. Kam lives in Princeton, NJ with his wife and son.

The review has now reached website audiences in Pittsburgh, Haiti, Dallas, and more. To read the full review, follow one of the links below:

http://www.kamwilliams.com/2010/08/hair-power-skin-revolution-book-review.html

http://newsblaze.com/story/20100803151347kamw.nb/topstory.html
http://theblackboxoffice.com/2010/08/hair-power-skin-revolution-book-review/
http://www.pittsburghurbanmedia.com/Hair-Power---Skin-Revolution-A-Collection-of-Poems-and-Personal-Essays/
http://www.dallasblack.com/reviews/book/brhairpowerskinrevolution
http://insideblackhollywood.com/2010/08/06/hair-power-skin-revolution-book-review/
http://www.exodusnews.com/Books/Review108.html
http://aalbc.com/reviews/hair_power_skin_revolution.html

You're Beautiful, Woman! 2010

2010-08-08T13:54:00.016+01:00

On 7th August, I was fortunate to be at the 3rd You're Beautiful, Woman! www.yourebeautifulwoman.com held at Highgate Newtown Community Centre, London N19. This was a constructive annual event celebrating black female beauty in all its forms: fashion, hair, beauty and more. The day was packed full of seminars with a range of speakers and a vibrant market place, which is where I spent most of the day.

I was there in the name of Shangwe to promote my 3rd anthology Hair Power Skin Revolution and I thoroughly enjoyed the interest received about my writing journey and of the concept and journey of my book. The networking was particularly powerful as I met not only some beautiful women, but exchanged business cards with a lot of inspirational women, who are a great representation and testimony of the way black women are aspiring and achieving in their own right.

For example, I met:

Amina Whittey, of Cohort Learning, http://www.cohortlearning.org/ a teacher and training consultant working to ensure that our children of colour receive the best education, particularly regarding our history;

Regina Jere-Malanda, Editor of New African Woman Magazine http://www.africasia.com/ who is doing a fantastic job with the magazine. The word depth truly comes to mind; great articles, serious and thought-provoking subjects are particularly engaging and satisfying to indulge in as well as some vibrant and groundbreaking fashion;

I exchanged books with Alison Husbands, author of The Afro Hair & Beauty Bible http://www.theafrohairandbeautybible.co.uk/ a lovely book to own with secrets of how to achieve and maintain beautiful healthy Afro hair, including skin care tips and make-up brands that work best with black skin, and excellent photographic images;

Angel Smith's recent achievement in setting up The Natural Lounge, a UK website for those who wear their hair natural http://www.thenaturallounge.blogspot.com/ was a rare treat and I look forward to attending one of her forthcoming events. Her article From Relaxer to Natural is particularly inspiring as she reveals in an honest and open way how she made the decision to take out her braids and leave her hair natural. She sums it up when she says, "...I realised that most of the fears about going natural are in our own heads and not the outside world...' You can read the full article on page 29 of Lime Magazine's Caribbean Fever Edition: http://www.comelime.com/

Rosa Garman, a student at Edinburgh University who is currently writing her dissertation on the politics that surround Black women's hair in Britain, specifically looking at the motivations behind hair relaxing. More about her in a future blog posting;

Olumide Solanke, Managing Editor of ninetynine magazine, launched in March 2009. The magazine features poetry, music, relationships, health & fitness, people in the media and much more. Do visit: http://www.ninetyninemag.co.uk/

Oh and I also made sure to capture the moment with those all important photos - in ascending order, Patsy Antoine, (anthology contributor), me and Jacqueline Reid; Patsy Antoine & Jacqueline Reid.

UK Feminista: Men still on top in the arts

2010-08-01T15:09:00.003+01:00

UK Feminista: Men still on top in the arts

Not a great start to the month, but the findings need to be shared and the debate will I'm sure continue.

'Women continue to be under-represented in British cultural life, new findings from UK Feminista (1) reveal. The research, brought together for Women’s Words (2) - a unique event to celebrate women in the arts organised by UK Feminista and hosted by Faber and Faber on 14th July (3), shows women remain a minority in many of the country's leading cultural events, prizes and exhibitions.'

For the full research findings visit:
UK Feminista: Men still on top in the arts

Hair Power - Skin Revolution: 2nd Book Reading

2010-07-18T13:53:00.013+01:00

The second Hair Power – Skin Revolution book reading event was held on 17th July 2010, at the Poetry Cafe, in Covent Garden, London, co-hosted by myself and Nicola Greenwood.

Two contributors Anduosjahla James-Wheatle and Yolande Deane read their hair story and personal essay from the book’s hair section. I participated in an in-depth interview (questions courtesy of Pauline Walker, anthology contributor and contributor to the Catchavibe website). I also read my personal essay and two poems from the skin section. The line up went as follows:

Anduosjahla James-Wheatle read her hair story,

My Journey to Me
Co-Host Nicola Greenwood interviewed me on the following questions:

1. Why did you choose the themes of hair and skin?
2. You’ve previously published two other anthologies showcasing the writing of black and mixed-race women Brown Eyes and Sexual Attraction Revealed. What is it about anthologies that you like?
3. What is it about the form of the personal essay and poetry that appeals to you over creative forms such as short stories and novels?
4. Your book comes out at a time when there seems to be more interest in black women and how they manage their hair, for example, the recently released Chris Rock documentary Good Hair lifts the lid on how African-American women manage their hair. Why do you think this is?
5. Do you think the book should be required reading for young girls and teenagers in today’s society?
6. What’s the difference between the Hair Stories section and the Personal Essay’s section on hair?

Yolande Deane read her hair essay,

Still a Bird…but not a Robin
Nicola Greenwood read her hair poem, Hair Place
I read my skin essay, Are You Black or White? And 2 skin poems: Lost for Words; Skin

The event was well attended with inspiring questions and debate received from a lively and interactive audience. I felt encouraged not only by the inspirational and vibrant energy in the room, but also by the audience’s suggestions that I make contact with comic Chris Rock, or at least send him a publicity leaflet, (which was something that I had recently discussed with Nicola Greenwood) – along with Gok Wan; who knows we just might generate some interest! Again, thanks to the anthology's contributors who read and to co-host Nicola Greenwood for ensuring that the evening was a wonderful creative expression of the book's reading programme.

Photos in ascending order:

1.Yolande Deane, Nicole Moore,

Nicola Greenwood, & Anduosjahla James Wheatle.

2.Anduosjahla James Wheatle.
3.Yolande Deane.

Photo 1: Courtesy of Amanda Epe
Photos 2 & 3: Courtesy of Nicole Moore

The interview referred to above is now online here: http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/black-books-hair-power-skin-revolution/14965/

Mixed-Race & the Arts

2010-07-18T12:46:00.007+01:00

I was invited to speak at the People in Harmony Annual Conference: 'Mixed Race & The Arts', held on 17th July 2010 at Ealing Friends Meeting House, West London. The event was opened and chaired by Vicki Hart-Dale. Speakers on the conference schedule were:

Tones and Textures Tenee Attoh
Cast a poem performed by Amaka Okafor
'A Socio-Genetic Experiment': Hip Hop and the 'Mixed-Race' Experience Dr Kevin Searle
Hidden Secrets of the Past: Unveiling of the Casta Paintings Tara Munroe
The Threads of My Journey Gloria Ojulari Sule

My presentation, The Journey So Far, explored my writing journey, which started in 1995 and I shared how despite the odds against getting my work published, I decided to tackle the publishing side of things myself, with the support of grants from the Arts Council.

It was a relaxing event, full of inspiration and positive vibes and I felt it was a rare experience to meet and network with such likeminded, yet unique mixed-race individuals.

For more information contact: http://www.pih.org.uk/

Photo courtesy of Tenee Attoh

Left to right: Kevin Searle, Amaka Okafor, Nicole Moore, Vicki Hart-Dale & Tara Munroe (Inset: Nicole Moore)

Mslexia Women's Poetry Competition

2010-07-14T12:47:00.006+01:00

First prize £1,000

Second prize £500

Third prize £250

22 finalists will win £25 each

All winning poems will be published in Mslexia magazine

Poems may be in any style, of any length, on any subject.

CLOSING DATE: 26 July 2010

Judge: Vicki Feaver
'Women poets have written some of the most original and powerful poetry of the last century and the extraordinary thing is that the number of brilliant women poets is growing.'

For further information visit: http://www.mslexia.co.uk/
or T: +44(0)191 233 3860

Wasafiri Competition

2010-07-12T11:21:00.002+01:00

Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2010
Renowned worldwide for featuring some of the best and brightest new talent, Wasafiri launched an annual new writing prize as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations in 2009. The prize is now in its second year and the competition is open for entries.

The competition is open to anyone worldwide who has not published a complete book. Wasafiri are looking for creative submissions in one of three categories: Poetry, Fiction or Life Writing. Three winners (one from each category) will receive £300 and their winning entries will be published in an issue of Wasafiri.

This year's judges are Romesh Gunesekera (Fiction), Moniza Alvi (Poetry) and Marina Warner (Life Writing) and the Chair is Susheila Nasta.

To enter simply fill in the entry form and return it with your entry and a fee of UK Sterling £5 by the closing date of 30 July 2010 (preferably by cheque or via PayPal). Entrants who are visually impaired or prevented from typing through disability can submit their entry on audio CD.

Entries can be emailed to: n.a.jones@open.ac.uk or posted to the following address:

New Writing Prize
Wasafiri
The Open University in London
1-11 Hawley Crescent
London NW1 8NP
UK

www.wasafiri.org

Hansib Publications

2010-07-07T15:38:00.003+01:00

Do you have a manuscript to publish?

Novel; Short Stories; Thesis; Poetry

Why not send Hansib Publications your submissions for consideration?

ABOUT HANSIB PUBLICATIONS

In 2010, Hansib Publications celebrates the 40th anniversary of its publishing activities. The company was founded in 1970 by Guyana-born Arif Ali following the sale of his north London-based West Indian food business. The following year the company launched its first title (the monthly magazine West Indian Digest) and since then has published magazines, newspapers and books for Britain's 'visible' minority communities. Hansib Publications continued to expand its multicultural publishing activities and, from the beginning of the 1970s, produced newspapers, magazines and periodicals for Britain's Caribbean, Asian and African communities. These titles included Caribbean Times, Asian Times, African Times, Asian Digest, Roo Magazine and West Indian World.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, Hansib has published more than two hundred books and specialist titles. With forty years' experience in multicultural publishing, Hansib Publications is widely acknowledged as having established regular visible minority publishing in the UK.

Hansib books are available throughout the UK in bookshops, libraries, schools, colleges, universities, specialist outlets and online from Amazon.co.uk. A growing network of distributors in the Caribbean and North America has ensured that Hansib books are available in many countries, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Canada, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.

Contact details:

Hansib Publications, PO Box 226, Hertford, SG14 3WY

T: +44 (0)208 523 0888

E: info@hansib-books.com

W: http://www.hansib-books.com/

Sixty Poems for Haiti

2010-07-02T11:57:00.004+01:00

Sixty Poems for Haiti is the brainchild of Elly Niland and Maggie Harris whose idea it was to have a concert to raise funds to help in the reconstruction of Haiti following the earthquake of 12th January 2010. The collection is the 'book of the concert': the concert held in June, raised over £800.00.

The collection comprises poems from authors ranging in age from 12 to 89 and located in the West Indies, UK, Ireland and Europe. Some contributors are seasoned - even famous - poets; some beginners; the only brief that was given to authors was to send a poem for Haiti. Some have responded directly, or elliptically, to the traumatic events on and after the earthquake of January 2010; others have sent a selection from their recent work as gifts to the people of Haiti.

I am humbled and pleased that my poem No Time has been included in this inspiring collection. You can read my contribution on my website: www.shangwe.com/biography.htm under the Poetry Section.

All proceeds from the book will be donated to the Lambi Fund whose mission is to assist the popular, democratic movement in Haiti. Its goal is to help strengthen civil society in Haiti and it takes its lead from the peasant and women's organisations with which they collaborate, on the premise that the Haitian people understand how development is best achieved in their country.

Sixty Poems for Haiti is published by Cane Arrow Press, who publish new and historic poetry from Trinidad & Tobago and the literature and philosophy of the West Indian diaspora in Britain.

A copy of the book is available from Maggie Harris http://www.maggieharris.co.uk/ and costs £9.00.

And The Beat Goes On...

2010-06-22T16:15:00.014+01:00

Following on from the launch of Shangwe's 3rd anthology, Hair Power Skin Revolution and in true Shangwe style and spirit, I hosted the first reading event at the Poetry Cafe, in Covent Garden, London, on 21st June 2010. Over 40 people attended and six contributors read a rich mix of their poems and personal essays and with an eager and interactive audience, an inspiring questions and answers session followed. The line up went as follows:

Daniella Blechner read her poem, Hair We Are, and provided a double-act, supported by Andrina George.

Nicola Greenwood read her poem, Hair Place

Cristina Odigie-Bulnes read her personal essay, Colourful Perceptions

Amanda Epe read her personal essay, Brighter Days for African Beauty

Nehanda Buchanan read her hair story, Hear My Lifetime Hair Journey

Scherin Barlow Massay read her poem, No Lye! and her personal essay, A Journey of Self Discovery.

I also read my poem, My Hair.

Judging from the positive and warm vibes in the room and the conversations I had during the break and at the end of the evening, the event was enjoyed by all, despite the nerves that a few contributors shared as they read/performed for the first time.

I felt the evening was a wonderful start to the book's reading programme, especially blending the poems with personal essays and I now have a few ideas on how to approach future readings.

Photos in ascending order:

Contributors & Nicole Moore, courtesy of Winston Greenwood.

Contributors

Daniella Blechner & Andrina George

Nicola Greenwood

Cristina Odigie-Bulnes

Amanda Epe

Nehanda Buchanan

Scherin Barlow Massay

Remaining photos, courtesy of Nicole Moore

Shangwe's 3rd Book Launch

2010-06-12T22:41:00.016+01:00

On the evening of 11th June 2010, Shangwe's 3rd anthology Hair Power Skin Revolution was launched. The event was held at Edmonton Green Library, North London. Over 50 people attended, including 20 anthology contributors and their friends and family.

The Launch Host, award-winning Akuba Quansah, led the evening by providing an In Conversation style of interview with me, covering questions on my inspiration for the book, my role as editor, links with the previous two anthologies, insights gained through the contributions, the publishing process and my future aspirations. Akuba then invited questions from the audience.

Six anthology contributors - Christine Collymore, Nicola Greenwood, Tracy Henry, Michelle Hubbard, Bola Odeyemi and Akuba Quansah then read their poems, which brought their contributions to life to a well received audience.

Wine and light refreshments were then served, courtesy of Edmonton Green Library, and networking followed. I enjoyed the night alot, particularly meeting the contributors and their guests and felt we all participated and celebrated in true Shangwe style.

A group photo of all the contributors that attended will be available from 14th June on my website:

http://www.shangwe.com/books_hair_power_readings.htm

Photos in ascending order:

Akuba Quansah & Nicole Moore

Michelle Hubbard

Christine Collymore

Nicola Greenwood

Tracy Henry

Bola Odeyemi

Akuba Quansah

Photos courtesy of Ursula Troche and Yolande Deane.

"We've Already Paid" Journeys & Kinship

2010-06-03T16:07:00.009+01:00

An Exhibition by Jean Joseph

27 May - 15 June 2010

At the arc Gallery

"We've already paid"

We've already paid in kind.

We've already paid in kindred.

We've already paid in

kindred spirits,

communicating,

across ancestral lines.

J Joseph 2009

I was luckily invited by Ursula Troche to this wonderful art exhibition's private view on 27 May 2010, where I along with other art lovers enjoyed and absorbed Jean Joseph's inspirational work.

The works in this exhibition comprise an illustrated narrative in mixed media paintings and three-dimensions, fuelled by an amalgam of emotive inspirations and influences, with a backdrop of the ever-present ocean.

I would encourage all art lovers to go along and see for themselves.

"We've Already Paid" Journeys and Kinship runs until 15 June 2010 at

the Arc Gallery, Barge Belle

11 Hale Wharf

Ferry Lane

Tottenham Hale

London N17 9NF

http://www.artarc-collective.com/

Top photo - courtesy of Ursula Troche

Shangwe's 3rd Anthology

2010-05-22T19:29:00.008+01:00

Hair Power - Skin Revolution is a Shangwe produced anthology and will soon be available in the book shops and on-line distributors. The collection includes poetry and personal essay contributions from 48 authors, that explore the issues, interests, cultural and historical influences that have shaped their times and their imaginations.

The writers offer empowering and creative ways of understanding and relating to the themes of hair and skin. They tell their narratives, presenting their views in passionate, intelligent, humorous, strong and reflective voices.

The book launch will take place in June 2010. The first Reading Event will be held at the Poetry Cafe in Covent Garden, on 21st June 8-10pm.

To get your copy please order via email: nicole@shangwe.com Price £9.99 plus £1.80 postage and packing.

My Collection - a work in progress

2010-05-16T16:19:00.003+01:00

In April 2010, I made the decision to start putting together my own collection of poems and personal essays. So as to get those writing juices flowing, I signed up to Poetry & Autobiography, an online Poetry School course, which has so inspired me that I have written at least 12 poems, including photo poems, an essay on hotel life, about when I lived/worked in a hotel during 1976-1978 and have started to write essays about my travel experiences. The travel writing is going to be a chapter of its own in the final collection as it will start in the eighties and end in the noughties.

The Poetry & Autobiography course is by Graham Fawcett and ideal for intermediate writers and includes the following lessons:

Lesson 1: The Time of My Life
Lesson 2: My Life Begins
Lesson 3: First Thresholds of Feeling & Thought
Lesson 4: Narratives of Reflection On Self & Single-hood
Lesson 5: Narratives of Reflection On The Individual & Society
Lesson 6: Narratives of Reflection On Nature
Lesson 7: Travelling & A Sense of the World
Lesson 8: Narratives of Reflection On Relationship
Lesson 9: Narratives of Reflection On the Past
Lesson 10:Narratives of Reflection On the Future
Lesson 11: Loss, Homage, In Memoriam, Elegy
Lesson 12:Old Age & Narratives of Reflection On One's Own Death

Cost: £15 (well worth it!)

For info: www.poetryschool.com

Journal Writing

2010-05-04T15:28:00.006+01:00

I started to keep a journal in 1995 as part of a requirement of a writing course I was studying and I haven't stopped since. I love mostly that there are no rules with journal writing; all you need is a blank canvas, a pen and you're on your way.

I write reflections of the day, poems, small reviews of films, books and travel experiences. I love the freedom of writing my thoughts and feelings, of choosing when to write, how much to write, or not. I have found journal writing to be a form of self-discovery since until you allow yourself the luxury and indulge your creative self i.e. the writer within you, you don't know what may come up and face you, confront you, challenge you. This can be positive and negative - even that process creates realism, harmony and balance in your writing.

I started a piano journal in September 2009, to keep track of my thoughts and feelings after my weekly lessons and practice sessions. It's a great way of logging progress.

The other day, I came across an interesting site: http://www.writing-world.com/ and an article Twenty-Two Reasons to Turn to Your Journal for Catharsis and Creativity. To read the article:
www.writing-world.com/creative/journaling.shtml

National Poetry Competition 2010

2010-04-20T12:45:00.002+01:00

National Poetry Competition Open for Entries
Now in its 33rd year, the Poetry Society’s National Poetry Competition is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious poetry competitions. Winners include both established and emerging poets and for many the prize has proved an important milestone in their professional careers.

Add your name to a roll-call of winners that includes Carol Ann Duffy, Ian Duhig, Philip Gross, and Jo Shapcott – and have your work published in the Poetry Society’s leading international journal, Poetry Review.

The judges this year are poets George Szirtes, Deryn Rees-Jones and Sinéad Morrissey. The prizes are: £5,000 for the overall winner, £2,000 for the second, £1,000 for the third and seven commendations of £100.

The deadline is 31 October. Enter online or download an entry form at http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/

My Blog's Two Year Anniversary coming soon...

2010-04-15T16:40:00.005+01:00

Yes, readers, it was June 2008, when I launched this blog. I can't believe it's been almost two years since it all started so I am encouraging all my readers/supporters - you know who you are - to take the next step and become a follower. Once you do, your profile picture will be displayed in my Followers list. Go on and make that link! It's easy, just click on the Follow widget on the left.

I am thinking that in the spirit of Shawana-Lulu and Shangwe, a celebration is in order. Watch this space...

From One Exile To Another: The Caribbean Connection

2010-04-13T13:09:00.009+01:00

On 12th April, I was invited and encouraged to participate in the above event, which was held at the Poetry Cafe in Covent Garden, hosted by Ursula Troche, in collaboration with Exiled Writers Ink. Participants included myself, Akuba, Ursula, Malcolm Cumberbatch, Zita Holbourne and Yolande Deane, who all offered a rich mix of performance poetry and knowledge and experience as they shared their perspectives on living in 'exile'.

I spoke about my writing journey, which started in 1995 and how significant studying Black Women's Literature and Black Women's History was as it provided an excellent grounding in my journey as a writer and enabled me to not only write poetry but promote others in their writing journey as I became an editor and independent publisher of my Shangwe anthologies. I performed Lost for Words a poem from my forthcoming hair and skin collection and Abandon a poem from Brown Eyes (my first anthology).

There is talk of the possibility of touring this event as it went down so well, so watch this space...

For information on Exiled Writers Ink:

http://www.exiledwriters.co.uk/

Bernie Grant - A Celebration

2010-04-09T12:52:00.004+01:00

On 8th April, I attended the Celebration of Bernie Grant's Life and Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority political representation held at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in North London.

Speakers included David Lammy MP, Diane Abbott MP (who I avidly watch every week on This Week), Simon Woolley, Director/Founder of Operation Black Vote and Keith Vaz MP. It has been ten years since Bernie Grant's death and the speakers ensured that they reminded us of how significant Bernie Grant was during his political life.

For more information about Bernie Grant:
http://www.berniegrantarchive.org.uk/

Bernie Grant Arts Centre:
http://www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk/

Open Notebooks

2010-04-03T18:43:00.002+01:00

is created and curated by poet Karen McCarthy and commissioned by literature development agency Spread the Word.

Karen will be opening up her notebook to write 10 new poems online and sharing the creative process. The poems may include hyperlinks, image (video and stills) and audio trails. Karen is interested in how poetry intercepts with the web: in how what we write here could be unique and how that work is viewed/read by audiences.

For more information go to: http://www.opennotebooks.co.uk/

Spread the Word plan to launch this project in June.
http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/

Creative Writing Research

2010-03-24T12:57:00.004Z

Creative Writing as an aid to self-development - a researcher wants your stories.

This research study aims to explore people's experiences of using creative writing at difficult times in their lives. The study has been reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Christchurch Canterbury University.

The Study: The Experience and Significance of Creative Writing at Times of Difficulty or Distress.

Taking Part: Visit: https://sites.google.com/site/creativewritingresearch/

Deadline: 30th June 2010

Having started to draft notes for the research questionnaire, one of the questions really made me wonder - The question is:

Imagine for a moment that you had never written creatively. In what ways would your life be different do you think? In what ways would you yourself be different? Would it alter the way you experience times of difficulty or distress?

I am having trouble imagining life without having written creatively!

WAPPY's Fourth Showcase

2010-03-23T13:52:00.003Z

On 19th March, I attended WAPPY’s fourth showcase programme, which was held at the London Life Line Academy in West London. WAPPY stands for Writing, Acting, and Publishing Project for Youngsters. Founded by performance literary artiste Akuba, WAPPY is a literary initiative that aims to develop the creative writing skills of young people from multi-ethnic backgrounds, living in Ealing, and neighbouring West London boroughs.

Supported by the organisation Positive Awareness, WAPPY works with 10 to 15 year old writers/artists and teaches them skills required to perform their work which range from reciting poems, acting out short stories, singing, and playing instruments.

The WAPPY programme featured performance poetry by individual WAPPY members; young, gifted actress/recording artist Gia Lodge; writer/director Anjan Saha and Tamarind Books’ editor Patsy Isles.

Congratulations must go (once again) to Akuba who has developed and enhanced the much needed project in striking ways inspiring and discovering such talented youngsters who are going from strength to strength.

Photo: Courtesy of Ursula Troche

Wasafiri Competition

2010-03-15T13:30:00.006Z

Wasafiri New Writing Prize 2010
Closing Date: 30-Jul-10

For anyone who has not published a complete book. Creative submissions in poetry, fiction or life writing. Prize £300 in each category. 3000 word limit. Judges: Susheila Nasta, Romesh Gunesekera, Moniza Alvi and Marina Warner. Mark envelopes 'New Writing Prize'.

Entry Fee: £5

Contact:
Wasafiri, The Open University in London,
1-11 Hawley Crescent, London NW1 8NP

www.wasafiri.org/

How books are sold

2010-02-25T14:31:00.005Z

On 24th February, I attended a seminar held by The Society of Authors on How books are sold: What published authors need to know, which covered:

In the chain from publisher to reader, who is involved, and why?
When it comes to making money from the sale of a book, who gets what and why? Online bookselling: does it boost or risk destroying the market?

Representatives to discuss the above were:
Phil Edwards, Senior Buying Manager of Gardners, the UK's leading book wholesaler;
Fiona Kennedy, Head of Non-Fiction at Waterstone's, the UK's leading specialist bookseller;
Simon Skinner, Sales Director of Nielson BookData.

Being a new member of the Society of Authors, I didn't know what to expect. However, I was impressed, as the event was well organised, well attended (at least 500 people) and very informative.

I was particularly interested and somewhat inspired by Fiona Kennedy's presentation. Waterstone's are going through a period of transition and seemed open to hearing the audiences' strong views and opinions. What Waterstone's look for in a potential book is: content, cover, price, track record, E-book version, local market, new talent, new voices, and alot more.

I came away feeling that the book industry was less of a mystery!

http://www.societyofauthors.org/

The Lovely Bones

2010-02-23T13:30:00.003Z

By Alice Sebold (2002)

This debut novel is impressive to say the least and with over 900,000 copies in print after 11 printings, Alice Sebold has outpaced the sales of any other first novel in memory.

The Lovely Bones is written in the 1st person from the perspective of Susie Salmon, aged fourteen when she is murdered by a serial killer. From her heaven, Susie speaks to the readers and we watch as she observes her family deal with the devastation of her death.

I enjoyed reading this unique story despite being somewhat naturally frustrated at Susie's killer who is able to duck and dive - there is justice in a variety of ways along the way - of course you need to read the whole book to have the full picture. (I'm not giving anything away!)

The Lovely Bones is filled with interesting characters like Susie's sister Lindsey, and father Jack, mother Abigail, a friend called Ruth, Ray who was a suspect in the beginning and Mr Harvey, Susie's killer, the detective Len and a few more...

For me, I did like the after life aspect and I do believe that spiritual connections are still possible with our lost loved ones - even if this is to keep memories alive, dreams real.

Meanwhile, I look forward to watching the film version, which was released a few days ago.

The Lovely Bones is published by PICADOR

http://www.picador.com/

http://www.lovelybones.co.uk/

Love, What Is It?

2010-02-11T23:10:00.003Z

Introducing: Jennifer Hooper who was born in 1964; culture Black British, raised in West London. Her writing interests are autobiographical poetry fused with psychotherapy. Her writing is a form that focuses on aspects of relationships, love, hate, loss, pain and conflict to find meaning. Poetry is her art form for processing her fantasies.

Love, What Is It?

In my view love is what keeps a person alive. I see it like a certain force ever moving forward to nurture and sustain existence. There has been much talk about instinctual drives, energy and forces by genius individuals who have enhanced our understanding about it, but my experience of it has been one of twofold, ecstasy and pain. I say ecstasy because it is hard to put it into words - the description of the automatic fluctuation of impulses in the body and the chemical reaction of intimacy in a psychical space that I do not have a name for but a sense of a state of nothingness or no conflict. However, I have lived most of my life in search of this state to move away from any form of conflict.

The pain aspect of this phenomenon is my contact with love that may not have quite achieved the desired effect. In other words, I wished for it, came close to it, there was a triggered impulse but somehow it became atomised either because of my idealised expectation, negative physical encounter, destructive fantasy or other external reality. One thing that I have learnt is I need sufficient libidinal love for myself and an accurate equal portion of it for someone else and vice versa to experience that space of a sense of “nothing” that I do not have words for to achieve an inner peace.

NOTHING BUT ADMIRATION

Respect
Momentary pleasure
Or contemplation of
Warm approval.

Or simply literary delight
In an instant
Of marvel.

(c) Jennifer Hooper 2010

Keeper of the Keys

2010-01-31T13:42:00.003Z

I came across this poem in a book called Thinking for a Change by John C Maxwell:

Keeper of the Keys

You are the keeper of the keys
You are the Guard at the Gate
Waiting in line to go through that door
is LOVE. And also HATE.
In line to enter is GENTLE PEACE.
And also VIOLENT WAR.
You must choose who may, and who
May not come through the door.
INTOLERANCE tries to sneak on through
On wings of FEAR, or PRIDE.
It hides behind DREAMS of BELONGING,
And tries to sneak inside.
Oh! Be alert! You're the Guard who decides
Who GOES and who may STAY
You are The Keeper of the Keys to your Mind.
Who will you let in today?

I Put a Spell on You

2010-01-25T14:10:00.004Z

the autobiography of Nina Simone (1933-2003) - the rear cover text says it all...

'THE INIMITABLE, GORGEOUSLY TALENTED NINA SIMONE - the "high priestess of soul" - sets the story of her tumultuous, passionate life straight in I Put a Spell on You.

Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in small-town North Carolina, Nina Simone was entrusted with the troubles of others from an early age - nursing her father back from the brink of death at the age of four and supporting her family by her late teens. After a one-year stint at Juilliard she applied to a prestigious Philadelphia music school but was rejected, many say for racially motivated reasons. Simone taught piano students to pay her rent but soon discovered what her mother called "working in the fires of hell" - singing in bars. Her first professional gig was in Atlantic City before an unappreciative, drunken audience, but eventually college students discovered her and made her a local celebrity. Simone took up with an agent who moved her to New York and asked her to record a version of "I Loves You, Porgy." It played on a Philadelphia radio station to enormous acclaim, and her star was on the rise.

Nina Simone embraced the protest movement of the '60s and '70s with the song "Young, Gifted, and Black," which became an anthem for the American Civil Rights Movement. Songs like "I Put a Spell on You," "Put a Little Sugar in My Bowl," and "Mississippi Goddam," helped change the face of race relations and music in America and around the world."

I am captivated as I read this book and feel like I know Nina Simone, the woman, the musician, and all the other personnas she took on board in her fascinating life. Definitely a must read!

Mslexia Short Story Competition 2010

2010-01-15T14:32:00.003Z

Mslexia Women's Short Story Competition 2010

First prize £2,000 including a one-week writing retreat at Chawton House Library plus a day with a Virago editor.

Second prize £500, Third prize £250
Three other finalists will win £100 each

All winning stories will be published in Mslexia Magazine

CLOSING DATE: 25 January 2010

SEND ENTRIES TO: Women's Short Story Competition, Mslexia Publications Limited, PO Box 656, Freepost NEA5566, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1BR

Shangwe Hair & Skin Anthology

2010-01-07T23:09:00.003Z

It's official - on 6th January, the Shangwe Hair & Skin manuscript was forwarded to the publishers! I am very pleased that Shangwe's 3rd collection includes contributions of personal essays and poems from 48 black and mixed-race women writers - with six international writers - three from the US, one from Berlin, one from Canada and one from Botswana.

The writers offer empowering, encouraging and creative ways of understanding and relating to the themes of hair and skin. It is hoped that the book will be launched sometime in March/April 2010.

WAPPY's Third Showcase

2009-12-18T15:48:00.003Z

WAPPY's Third Showcase

On 11th December, I was invited by Akuba to WAPPY’s third showcase programme, which was held at the London Life Line Academy in West London, WAPPY stands for Writing, Acting, and Publishing Project for Youngsters. The range of acts was impressive, with 'youngstars' aged 10 to 15 years of age performing their individual poems and short stories, and a WAPPY Tale, written by Jai Elis-Cooke in collaboration with the rest of the WAPPY collective: Cinderella with a Twist.

Also on the programme was Acquaye McCalman on keyboard, Georgiana Callen Jackson blowing us away with a trumpet solo and many other talented participants. I particularly enjoyed the final act of WAPPY members singing ‘Feliz Navidad', accompanied with instruments.

Congratulations must go (once again) to Akuba who has developed and enhanced the much needed and ambitious summer project in striking ways inspiring and discovering such talented youngsters who are going from strength to strength.

Unlocked Diaries

2009-11-25T15:43:00.005Z

Unlocked Diaries published in Black Beauty & Hair Magazine December/January 2010 is a feature I wrote that expresses/shares my journey to growing my hair into locs. The piece includes two excerpts from contributing blog writers, Monique Campbell and Brenda White, explaining their personal hair journey. Black Beauty & Hair Magazine is out now and available in your local newsagent.

Catch a Vibe

2009-11-14T15:20:00.003Z

Catch a Vibe is the only online magazine that covers all that’s new and essential in black arts and entertainment in London. Showcasing everything from theatre and independent movies to comedy and spoken word, this definitive guide to black culture also features music and book reviews, as well as interviews with key cultural figures.

Every first and third Tuesday of the month, new features are published online, giving you more insight into what’s new in London, in film, music, theatre and more. The Entertainment News section is updated everyday with the latest news from the UK and US. The What’s On section, hugely popular among readers, lists all the must-see events in neat categories: TV, Spoken Word, Live Music Sessions, Film, Theatre, Arts & Heritage, Fashion, Dance and Comedy.

Sign up to their newsletter to receive event guides and culture news and notices of their exclusive competitions!

http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/
info@catchavibe.co.uk

Sometimes when I'm making beds

2009-11-05T17:11:00.006Z

Sometimes when I'm making beds

or pressing hot creases into sheets

like a young girl's secrets wrapped in paper,

while the smell of heated cotton warms the room;

sometimes I think, were it not for the sounds

of cars outside, and the television sets

like squat black beetles in each of the rooms,

the vacuum cleaner I drag behind me

like a reluctant dog being walked;

were it not for these -

I could be an African servant girl

brought back two centuries ago

from Jamaican plantations by a trader,

my master, his mulatto child in fact.

The view over Lyme bay, misty now,

is much the same as it must have been then,

the neatly trimmed hedges and lawns,

lavender beds and the red-earthed driveway

curling around flowerbeds like a slowworm, sleepy

in the heat; the rooms with their polished dressers,

curved legs and white lace mats, the sounds of birds,

the clock in the hall.

Little has changed here, up at the big house

with me, the servant girl, being treated jolly well

having praise heaped on me like spoonfuls of sugar

for washing clothes, or folding sheets well,

while I make beds and think I know

how the magpie they keep in the garden

wrapped in wire must feel,

bruising its black and white wings against the cage,

pretending I was born for this,

smiling and dusting and cleaning white people's rooms,

with the smell of hot cotton warming my skin,

pressing hot creases like frown lines into sheets.

Louisa Adjoa Parker is a poet and black history writer. Her collection Salt-sweat and Tears was published to critical acclaim by Cinnamon Press in 2007. Her poem 'Rag Doll' was highly commended by the Forward Prize 2008.

http://www.louisaadjoaparker.co.uk/

BBC My Story

2009-10-23T17:27:00.003+01:00

BBC MY STORY is a competition for ordinary
people with EXTRAordinary true stories.

Enter your story to the competition to be in
with the chance of winning a fantastic prize
and see your story retold on BBC One.

Closing date: 16 December 2009

For more info and writing tips: www.bbc.co.uk/mystory

Mslexia Competition 2010

2009-10-17T12:59:00.004+01:00

Mslexia Women's Short Story Competition 2010

First prize £2,000 including a one-week writing retreat at Chawton House Library plus a day with a Virago editor.

Second prize £500, Third prize £250
Three other finalists will win £100 each
All winning stories will be published in Mslexia magazine

CLOSING DATE: 25 January 2010

For inspiration and information visit: http://www.mslexia.co.uk/

Word Power

2009-10-06T18:49:00.004+01:00

Word Power is an international black literature festival and book fair. Dozens of authors, hundreds of readers, thousands of books. All under one roof.
OCEAN, 270 Mare Street, Hackney, London.
24-25 October. Closing lecture 31 October. Free
T: 020 7254 9632
http://www.centerprisetrust.org.uk/

The Art of the Personal Essay

2009-09-30T14:28:00.003+01:00

The Art of the Personal Essay - An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present - selected and with an introduction by Phillip Lopate

This book is a masterpiece in itself - it is a huge thick book spanning 777 pages - the introduction alone is comprehensive and breaks down the elements of a personal essay - The Conversational Element; Honesty, Confession and Privacy; The Contractions and Expansions of the Self; The Role of Contrariety; The Problem of Egotism; Cheek and Irony; The Idler Figure; The Past, the Local, and the Melancholy; Questions of Form and Style; Quotation and the Uses of Learning; The Personal Essay as Mode of Thinking and Being.

I discovered that for more than 400 years the personal essay has been one of the richest and most vibrant of all literary forms and this anthology celebrates this lively genre. The Art of the Personal Essay includes 75 essays, beginning with influential forerunners from ancient Rome (Seneca, Plutarch) and the Far East to the mastering of the form by its sixteenth-century founder, Michel de Montaigne; through the golden age of the English essay (from Addison & Steele and Samuel Johnson through Orwell and Woolf) to its variegated outcroppings in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, and its efforescence in the US.

Since reading this excellent resource, I have written a few personal essays - the freedom of the genre makes this my favourite way of expressing myself as well as writing poetry.

Shangwe Hair & Skin Book

2009-09-15T16:58:00.003+01:00

SHANGWE ANTHOLOGY
seeks submissions of poems and personal essays
from black and mixed-race women of African
and African-Caribbean descent for a new book.
Themes: skin complexion and/or hair.
Closing date: 30th November 2009
E: shangwewriters@yahoo.co.uk
W: http://www.shangwe.com/ for guidelines
T: 07846 542321

White-Washing of Black Books

2009-09-12T23:03:00.004+01:00

In PRIDE Magazine, September 2009, I was outraged when I read an article, 'Judging a Book by its Cover' by Cynthia Lawrence. The novel LIAR, by Australian novelist Justine Larbalestier, is about a young African-American girl. The author was astonished to see a white face on the book cover, instead of the protagonist Micah, who has short, "nappy" hair.

This saga became the subject of a blazing race row with Bloomsbury Children's Books, the book's US publishers. After alot of fuss made from critics, bloggers and internet commentators, who blasted the evident "white-washing", Bloomsbury was forced to change the cover. However, the revised cover depicts a mixed-race girl with curly hair as opposed to the character of the black girl with nappy hair.

It seems that publishers still deem it as not financially viable to market book covers using black people, and many black books do not receive the same vigorous marketing. Although I was aware of the widely held assumption that white readers won't buy the book with a black face on the cover, I really thought the US of all places wasn't in this same ignorant league.

PRIDE magazine asks 'Have you ever come across a book cover that appeared to be "white-washed"? If so, they would like to hear from you. Email your comments to: info@pridemagazine.com

Meridian Writing Autumn Competition

2009-08-29T20:40:00.003+01:00

Meridian have launched their Writing Autumn Competition for a story which is open theme/genre, of 3000 words maximum.

Deadline: 30 September 2009

This competition is open to new and published authors. The fee is £5 per story and the prizes are £100, £50 & £25 plus firstwriter.com vouchers. For more details: www.meridian-writing.co.uk

WAPPY 2009

2009-08-19T20:45:00.006+01:00

WAPPY's Final Showcase

On 18th August, I was invited by Akuba to speak about my role as poet, editor and founder of Shangwe at a final showcase of WAPPY participants, WAPPY stands for Writing, Acting, and Publishing Project for Youngsters and Akuba was the project co-ordinator and workshop facilitator.

Building on last year's successes, the showcase programme, which was held at the London Life Line Academy in West London, was impressive, with fourteen 'youngstars' aged 10 to 15 years of age performing their individual poems and short stories, and a WAPPY Tale, written, narrated by the WAPPY members.

I also shared two of my own poems, My Hair and Skin, written for my new Shangwe Hair & Skin Anthology. Ursula Troche, one of the project volunteers, who I have featured recently on my blog, also performed her own individual and unique poems.

I particularly enjoyed the Michael Jackson Tribute - WAPPY & Akuba (photo above) and the finale storytelling of The Golden Box of Stories by Akuba, Aamasade & Jojo. Introduced by TUUP. Then it was time for a little socialising and networking and I met some lovely individuals, namely Tracy and Beverley (photos above).

Congratulations must go (once again) to Akuba who has developed and enhanced the much needed and ambitious summer project in striking ways inspiring and discovering such talented youngsters who are going from strength to strength. It is an exciting time for WAPPY as a new website is in progress plus a new publication. Watch this space...

New African Woman

2009-08-16T17:30:00.006+01:00

I have to give thanks to my writing buddy Christine Collymore for informing me about the New African Woman Magazine she had seen in her local newsagents in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, especially as its first issue included two articles of particular interest to my current work on my Shangwe Hair & Skin Anthology, 'The politics of Black Women's hair' and 'What is the ideal Black Beauty? (the cover story). Those two pieces alone inspired me to rush to my local newsagents to track down a copy. However, this proved an almost impossible mission and I was at a loss as to why, in London of all places, I couldn't see this magazine in the shops!

Being a woman of substance I wasn't going to give up easily. Eventually, I ordered a copy from IC Publications and discovered that it may be easier to just subscribe rather than all this chasing around. I received my copy of New African Woman yesterday and all I can say is it was well worth the wait and little hassle getting hold of a copy. Yes, indeed, this first issue is very impressive. The Editor, Regina Jere-Malanda states her decision to launch the magazine as:

"We passionately believe that even though the publishing world is swamped with all sorts of women's publications, African women still have difficulty finding magazines that seriously tackle issues pertaining to their lifestyle, beauty, fashion and cultural needs. Where available, most women's publications target either the Caucasian, African-American or Caribbean markets, and give little coverage - or no coverage at all - to issues that pertain to the indigenous African woman and those in its Diaspora."

Now having read the magazine, Regina is spot on. I loved browsing the beautifully laid out pages full of colourful fashion & design, celebrity interviews, a special focus on Africa's women of influence, and a man's viewpoint on 'Say No to Sexual Objectification Full Stop! was particularly insightful reading. There is much more so I recommend you rush out and pick up a copy.

New African Woman Magazine is £4.00 per back issue and £16.00 for a one year subscription. However, it's £2.00 in the shops!

Contact: IC Publications on: 020 8950 9117

or email: icpubs@alliance-media.co.uk

http://www.africasia.com/

Online Magazines

2009-08-08T14:32:00.005+01:00

I read an interesting article, The Lowdown on: Online Magazines, by Diane Shipley in Mxlexia Magazine (Issue 42 Jul/Aug/Sep 2009) which I summarise below:

The Genre
Online magazines are websites which are updated at regular intervals, which have a similar look to print magazines and include articles and columns organised into different sections or 'channels'. They vary from independently-funded publications to those owned by media conglomerates and cover everything from fashion to political debate.

According to Mslexia Magazine, 3 of the best are:
Salon: http://www.salon.com/ Named one of Time magazine's 'Best 50 Web Sites' in 2002. Pulls in 5.8 million readers a month, nearly half of them women.
Handbag: http://www.handbag.com/ an online magazine for women aged 25-45. Gets 22 million page views a month from 1.42 million readers.
Babble: http://www.babble.com/ A witty parenting publication with a million readers per month. Features personal essays which provide a range of viewpoints about raising children.

The money
Some online mags have no budget for contributors. Depending on their cachet, it maybe worth writing for them for the exposure, but this is not a good long-term strategy. For those that do pay, budgets are often tight; £150 for 800 words is not uncommon.

UK Markets
BBC magazine http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine Magazine section of the BBC website, featuring opinion pieces, quirky features and news analysis.
Seven http://www.sevenglobal.org/ Socially-conscious publication which aims to address key issues from the seven continents.

Advice on Writing For The Web
Open University guidelines http://bit.ly/OUweb
LSE web editors' handbook http://bit.ly/lseweb
Online Writing: 5 Phrases to Cut http://bit.ly/phrase5

Social Media
Digital editors on Twitter: http://bit.ly/digitwit
Babble on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Babblecom/30499603270

Hidden Story

2009-07-31T14:21:00.005+01:00

Origins and Other Issues is the second collection of poetry, self-published by Ursula Troche, who states 'This is a deeper exploration of my central concern about how we all relate - or could or should, or must relate - to Africa.' She also includes poetry from her trips to Barbados and to South Africa.

I have selected the following poem to share:

Hidden Story

The colonialists

Must have known

About the Greatness of Africa

So they called

A beach in Barbados Bathsheba

Imagine

A beach named after an African queen

A name for a beach

On the east of the island

And it's this eastside

That faces Africa

Eastside Story

Yes, especially this side of the sea

Has a story to tell

Of the journey

From Africa to America

A story that does not reach

Enough attention

A story that does not reach

its oppressors

Only the oppressed

Have access to the truth

Recognise the story

And their allies

Their allies, too, must speak

So that those who need to hear it

Might listen

The colonialists

They must have known

That their story is dangerous

That is why now they don't listen

To the consequences of their story

Ursula Troche, 12.08

To contact Ursula: ursulatroche@yahoo.co.uk

National Poetry Competition 2009

2009-07-28T19:25:00.003+01:00

Now in its 32nd year, the Poetry Society's National Poetry Competition is one of the world's biggest and most prestigious poetry competitions. Winners include both established and emerging poets, and for many the prize has proved an important milestone in their professional careers. Add your name to a roll-call of winners that includes Carol Ann Duffy, Tony Harrison, Ruth Padel - and have your work published in the leading international journal of contemporary poetry, Poetry Review.

FIRST PRIZE: £5000; SECOND PRIZE: £1000; THIRD PRIZE: £500
Plus Ten Commendations of £50

All winning poems will appear in Poetry Review, on the Poetry Society website: http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/, and in Aesthetica Magazine (media partner). This year's prize also incudes the opportunity to read the winning poem at the Ledbury Poetry Festival, described by Andrew Motion as 'the best in the country,' in 2010. For full details of the festival, call 0845 458 1743 or visit http://www.poetry-festival.com/

ENTRY FEE: £5 for the first entry, £3 for each subsequent entry.
FREE second entry for Poetry Society members

DEADLINE: 31 October 2009

Rasta in the White House

2009-07-22T18:02:00.005+01:00

Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley and family visit the Obamas...

When I first set eyes upon the above photos, I just smiled - it was such a lovely image and I knew that this image could never have existed during the Bush years. Only in Obama's time...

I think the images speak for so many of us and it makes me realise how important it is to see ourselves in different and unique settings that are usually not accessible by us as African-Caribbeans.

An Evening with Benjamin Zephaniah

2009-07-11T14:38:00.005+01:00

What a great start to the month. On 10th July, I went to see one of the UK's poetry greats, Benjamin Zephaniah, who read from new work and older favourites at this exclusive show held at the Southbank Centre. This event was part of the London Literature Festival 2009, which is on until 16 July.

For me, this event was such a rare and great treat from start to finish. Benjamin Zephaniah's humour and poetry performance style was such an inspiration. I felt wonderfully stirred by his lyrical rhythms and vibes so much so that I am keen to get on with writing more of my own poems.

There is something about good quality performance poetry that is difficult to put into words. Even before Benjamin had uttered one word on his arrival onto the stage, the emotions took hold of me in anticipation of what great art was to be bestowed upon us. And me being a poet - and there must have been many of us in the audience - just enhanced the whole mind, body and spirit experience.

I sat in tune to a delightful and insightful one-man show delivered by this Rastafarian dub poet without music for almost 90 minutes - no easy task. Benjamin expressed himself by telling a few humorous true stories and intertwining those sometimes political and yet wholesome issues in such an accessible and non-offensive way. I am not sure whether I enjoyed the stories more than the poems - all I know is this was an excellent combination and delivered in such an honest manner. I think he swore once! A truly great artist and great event and for me a particularly liberating evening.

http://www.benjaminzephaniah.com/

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/

Photo: Top - Benjamin Zephaniah at Southbank Centre. Photograph Ursula Troche

Photo: Bottom - Benjamin Zephaniah at Newham bookshop in Barking. Photograph: Katherine Rose/Observer

Michael Jackson - a life in music

2009-06-29T13:56:00.004+01:00

A call for reflections for Words of Colour!

Words of Colour Productions are seeking reflections about Michael Jackson's music/lyrics/performances/cultural impact both personally and in terms of popular culture to post on their website: http://www.wordsofcolour.com/

These need not be major pieces and can be a paragraph, a sentence or more. Please put your full name, first name or nickname. Whether you loved him, respected him or are ambivalent about his physical transformation or anything else about his personal life, share it.

Email your thoughts, recollections and feelings to: info@wordsofcolour.com or to: joy@thecreativecollective.com If you have any pictures from childhood or adulthood wearing MJ merchandise, please email them too.

Deadline: 8th July at 12 midday (if not before).

Publication date: The website http://www.wordsofcolour.com/ will be live by Monday 13th July and you will all be informed.

Slot: There will be a special in the Forum Slot.

Response: Please let Joy know ASAP if you would like to contribute.

King of Pop 1958-2009

2009-06-26T21:22:00.005+01:00

When I heard the unbelievable news last night that Michael Jackson had died, I was watching 'This Week' on BBC1 and at the end of the programme the presenter solemnly made an announcement. I stared at the TV in disbelief and shivers ran down my spine as I was so shocked at the news.

I then watched the coverage on BBC2 with my son and the realisation slowly sank in. Michael Jackson had died of a heart attack at the age of 50 and all I could think about was how sad it was that he died so young, so suddenly and possibly on his own.

It is such a shame too that his forthcoming performances in London won't be going ahead. Michael Jackson was an amazingly talented musical genius and entertained millions throughout his musical career, with his groundbreaking and unique performances of great lyrics and dance routines that had never been done before. He not only opened the doors to Black music appearing on TV, he left the doors wide open for other Black artists to follow a similar career path.

Michael was much loved and adored by his fans and he will be hugely missed. The world of music will never be the same again.

May he rest in peace.

Shangwe Hair & Skin Anthology

2009-06-12T18:09:00.005+01:00

WANTED: poems and personal essays for a new book. The Editor is seeking contributions from Black & Mixed-Race women of African & African-Caribbean descent on the themes of hair and/or skin.

Required format: Personal Essay pieces length: 500-1,500 words written in the first person.

Poems: Maximum of 4 poems with a limit of 40 lines each.

For the full guidelines email: shangwewriters@yahoo.co.uk or telephone: 07846 542321.

Closing date for submissions: 30th August.

Poor.Old.Tired.Horse.

2009-06-06T21:44:00.003+01:00

An exhibition on art and poetry.
17 June - 23 August 2009
Institute of Contemporary Arts, London.

Poor. Old. Tired. Horse. takes an imaginative and expansive look at text-based art practices, using the concrete poetry of the 60s as its starting point. The exhibition goes on to look at other practices from this era, and concludes with work from younger artists currently exploring the literary and graphic potential of language.

Concrete poetry has ancient roots, and can be understood as poetry in which the physical appearance of the poem has as much impact as its traditional poetic structure. It is mainly associated with the 1950s and 60s, and the exhibition starts with the work of the artist and writer Ian Hamilton Finlay, a key figure of concrete poetry in 1960s Britain. Poor. Old. Tired. Horse. takes its title from a periodical that Finlay ran from 1962 to 1968 which featured his own graphic and literary experiments alongside those of other artists and poets.

For more details visit:

www.ica.org.uk/pooroldtiredhorse

Wasafiri: New Writing Prize

2009-05-27T22:23:00.003+01:00

25 Years of Wasafari: The Magazine of International Contemporary Writing

30 June is the deadline for the Wasafiri New Writing Prize

The competition is open to anyone who has not published a complete book. Wasafiri are looking for creative submissions in one of three categories:

Poetry

Fiction

Life Writing

The prize will be judged by Mimi Khalvati (Poetry), Margaret Busby (Fiction), Blake Morrison (Life Writing) and Susheila Nasta (Chair). Simply incorporate the theme of '25' somewhere in your piece. £5 fee. Prizes £300 will be awarded to the winner of each category and work will be published in Wasafari. Word limit: 3000 words.

Shortlisted authors will be notified on 30th September and be invited to the prize-giving event at the South Bank Centre on 31st October. A list of shortlisted authors will be put on the website on 1st October.

For more details for to: www.wasafiri.org/pages/25anniversary.htm

Black Cultural Archives: A Celebration

2009-05-20T14:00:00.008+01:00

On 19th May, I was invited by a friend, Annette Sylvester, to a celebration of The Black Cultural Archives’ projects ‘Documenting the Archives and Oral Histories of the Black Women’s Movement.’ The event was held at the Karibu Education Centre, Brixton. Annette is a volunteer on the project.

The event was very well attended and I was glad I arrived a bit early so as to grab a seat. I was well pleased to see that the programme included Stella Dadzie, co-author of The Heart of the Race, and wished I had brought my copy along for her to sign. Stella’s presentation was on The Black Women’s Movement – why it should be remembered and preserved. It reminded me of all the great work that my sister colleagues and I have been involved with over the years, in particular Nehanda Black Women’s Organisation, based in North London, where I was a Trustee and a Community Development Adviser for eight years from 1995 - 2003.

While we were listening to the projects’ feedback, nibbles (pizza, vegetable rolls, apple juice) were being served. Later a Caribbean buffet was arranged so my friend and I grabbed a table and got stuck in. We enjoyed a plate of rice ‘n’ peas, fish, plantain, a chick pea dish, and salad, followed by a plate of fresh fruit – mango, pineapple, strawberries, grapes and melon. Bottles of wine and water were provided to accompany our meal.

I left well satisfied and full, not only with food but with a richness of how important and inspiring the work of the Black Cultural Archives is. The event was a great success and I did lots of networking and exchanging of business cards. I am feeling enthusiastic so will be putting myself forward as a volunteer writer very soon.

To find out more about the Black Cultural Archives visit:
http://www.bcaheritage.org.uk/

To find out more about Nehanda Black Women’s Organisation visit:
http://www.nehanda.org.uk/

Photos from top to bottom:

Me, Stella Dadzie, Paul Reid, Director, Black Cultural Archives and Annette Sylvester (far left) and project volunteers.

Wasafiri Event: The Books That Made Me

2009-05-19T16:01:00.007+01:00

On 18th May, I went to the above event presented by Wasafiri, in celebration of their silver anniversary activities, held at the British Library's Conference Centre. In lavish surroundings, comfortable theatre style red seats and atmospheric lighting, five distinguished writers Helen Cross, Diana Evans, Aamer Hussein, Caryl Phillips and Marina Walker discussed their key literary influences. Each writer selected two books that inspired them in significant ways to embark on a writing career.

Diana Evans, who won the Orange Prize for New Writers in 2005 for 26a, the story of twin sisters which, at the beginning, appears as just a well-observed story of a multicultural family in multicultural London at the end of the last century, but quickly becomes a darker and more troubling story of depression and repression, discussed one of her favourite books, Heaven Coast, a book about loss, which is poetic and made her realise how important it is to write about bereavement.

Caryl Phillips, who was born in St. Kitts, grew up in Leeds and read English at The Queen's College, Oxford and whose novels include The Final Passage (1985), which won the Malcolm X Prize for Literature, selected the book, Native Sun by Richard Wright, set in inner city Chicago during the 30's and the play, Ghost by playwright Henry Gibson, which caused much controversy in its time and was finally produced in 1881.

Helen Cross, who was born and brought up in the village of Newbald in East Yorkshire and whose first novel, My Summer of Love won a Betty Trask Award and became a BAFTA award-winning feature film, directed by Pawel Pawlokowski, selected Charlotte's Web, which she read as a young girl, that made her then want to write as she realised how powerful words and writers were, and Loving by Henry Green a novel about secrets.

The event was thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring and I look forward to attending more Wasafiri events in the future.

For more details about Wasafiri's 25th anniversary and general information about the magazine, visit their website at:

http://www.wasafiri.org/

Keeping on Track

2009-05-16T14:06:00.004+01:00

It's a funny thing this writing lark - the creative energy sometimes seems endless and productivity flows and this could go on for months and you write a lot only to find that you come to a point where you feel stuck in a valley of non-writing and you don't write or dare I say even feel the need/urge. I've lost sight (a bit) and I'm seeing this as a temporary set-back or more appropriate am on a (writing) break. On the rare occasion when this happens, I can only allow myself the resting space in my head.

Even though I'm on a break, I'm still keeping my journal entries going - easy to do - as these personal words won't be viewed. I am also reading a lot and the current political news is distracting me. While I'm on a break, my mind is ticking over with a bit of short story plot here and a creative idea there and it feels ok. Should I be feeling guilty? I don't think so...

Wasafiri present: The Books That Made Me

2009-05-03T14:59:00.005+01:00

Wasafiri, The Magazine of International Contemporary Writing invites you to:

The Books That Made Me:

5 distinguised writers Helen Cross, Diana Evans Aamer Hussein, Caryl Phillips and Marina Warner discuss their key literary influences with Boyd Tonkin, Literary Editor of The Independent at the British Library.

Date: Monday 18 May
Time: 6.30pm
Location: Conference Centre, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London W1
Price: £6/£4 concessions
Tickets: Telephone 01937 546546 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

http://www.wasafiri.org/

Writer's Mind: Crafting Fiction

2009-04-26T14:36:00.003+01:00

I have a wealth of knowledge on my bookshelves so a few weeks ago I selected Writer's Mind: Crafting Fiction by Richard Cohen, purchased in April 2003 in New York. What is it about a second time read that somehow makes the book seem new and unread? It's a bit like seeing a good movie the second time around many years after the first time and it being clearer or more meaningful this time. I think it has to be about where I was in my mind the first time and how now, I really felt like I was absorbing and understanding the author's knowledge, but I think it also has to do with the shift in my writing development, which includes writing fiction.

The book's preface sets the scene and paragraph one states:

"A writer is someone who is always learning to write.....everything that happens is a writing lesson. When the love of your life betrays you, it is a course in characterisation and dialogue. Surreally adaptable, writers spend their lives camouflaged as doctors, patients, etc..."

This is so true and it's why I am writing a memoir called 'Under the Caribbean Sun' about my experiences in Jamaica between Sept-Dec 2007. It is a great way to come to terms with the good, the bad and the ugly issues of a challenging experience and is a powerful way of getting to know your inner most feelings about love, relationships, travelling, culture etc.

Part One: CRAFT (Pg 6, para 5):

"...writers are people who become themselves by writing. We are here, and we have to sing about it. Our writing is separate from ourselves and does not reliably explain anything about our lives, yet our writing is ourselves, more truly than the selves that go to the bank and have lunch with friends. It is our calling and our call."

Yes, yes, I like the 'calling' and this I felt strongly when I had a vision of my first book Brown Eyes - it felt so right even though when I had the initial thoughts, there were lots of unknowns and I so enjoyed allowing the creative process to unfold.

Every chapter in the book includes further reading references and a Do It Exercise so I started off with the following one:

1. Think about why you write or want to write. Refine your thoughts until you can state the reasons in a paragraph. Compose the paragraph in your head; you may or may not actually write it on paper.

Here is my response:

I want to write because I have a love of words, language, craft. It is about self-expression and creative-expression. I have found the writing process insightful and inspirational and pleasantly surprising as you never know which way your story will go. 'Re-living', especially through writing autobiography or memoir is revealing and sometimes therapeutic. I find that writing also enhances other performing arts that use/adapt words, e.g. film, theatre etc.

Artists taking the lead

2009-04-16T19:45:00.004+01:00

And after the Easter break, something far more serious:

What's your big idea for Artists taking the lead?

The Arts Council England are challenging artists of any kind to use the nation as a blank canvas for 12 spectacular projects - one in each of the nine English regions, and in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The shortlisted artists will be given a small development grant of up to £5,000 to work their idea into a full proposal. Artists will present their full proposal to the panels in late Autumn 2009. This will consist of a 15-minute presentation and up to 30 minutes of questions on the vision and viability of the idea, and how it meets the four core aims of the project.

Closing date for applications: 29 May 2009

To find out more and submit your idea in 400 words, visit: http://www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk/

Writing Competitions

2009-04-10T15:08:00.005+01:00

Poetry London Poetry Competition is for poems up of to 80 lines on any subject and is celebrating its tenth competition. Judge: Don Paterson.
Prizes £1,000, £500, £200, 4 at £75.
Entry fee: £5 per poem for non-subscribers, £3 per poem for subscribers.
Poetry London Competition,
81 Lambeth Walk,
London SE11 6DX.
http://www.poetrylondon.co.uk/
Closing date: 1 June

The Bridport Prize is for stories of up to 5,000 words and poems of up to 42 lines. Judges: Ali Smith and Jackie Kay.
Prizes in each section: £5,000, £1,000, £500, 10 at £50.
Entry fee: £6 per poem, £7 per story.
The Bridport Prize
PO Box 6910,
Dorset DT6 9BQ
T: 01308 428333.
http://www.bridportprize.org.uk/
Closing date: 30 June

Literary Events

2009-04-07T14:33:00.004+01:00

Poetry Machines is an exhibition produced in response to a collection of poetry produced by writing machines, instigated by artist in residence Lemn Sissay. Poetry Library, Southbank Centre. 14 April - 5 July.
http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/

Events at the Women's Library include:
Sex, shopping and sisterhood: politics in women's magazines [30 Apr, 7pm, £8/£6];
Evelyn Sharp: rebel woman [7 May, 7pm, £6/£4];
Bringing life-writing to life [9 May, 11am-4pm, £20/£15]
Black in fashion [13 May, 7pm, £7/£6]
Women and the Anti-Apartheid Movement [13 June, 10.30am-1pm, Free];
Body Image: the impact of magazines [18 June, 7pm £8/£6];
London Metropolitan Writers [25 June, 7pm, Free].

The Women's Library,
London Metropolitan University.
T: 020 7320 2222.
http://www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk/

Writing Goals: Jan-March 09

2009-04-02T21:35:00.002+01:00

On 4/1/09, I set myself some quarterly writing goals and although there have been a few slight amendments; here is my list of goals met over the last 3 months:

Continued Blogging (here)
Journal Writing (ongoing)
Wrote/Submitted The House that Rose Built to Mslexia Magazine’s Short Story Competition.
Continued Writing Buddy Meetings – thanks to Christine Collymore
Wrote Shangwe News Issue 12, February 09 (quarterly on-line newsletter)
www.shangwe.com/news.htm
Started writing Under the Caribbean Sun, completed almost 3,000 words, which is a memoir about my experiences before, during and after a trip to Jamaica between Sept-Dec 2007.
Became a student of the Academy of Children’s Writers’ (ACW) Correspondence Course (Feb 09).
Submitted ACW’s 1st Assignment, which included Lily’s Journey, a 1500 word short story or the opening chapters of a novel (March 09).

Writing for Children - Websites

2009-03-29T20:42:00.003+01:00

Today I submitted my first assignment to The Academy of Children's Writers course – only 9 more to go! I eagerly await feedback from my tutor.

Meanwhile, my next step is to read Unit 2: Emotions, Themes & Plots.

For more info re: The Academy of Children’s Writers:
http://www.childrens-writers.co.uk/

For any would be children’s writers, here are a few useful websites worth checking out:

Writing for children distance learning course
www.learningcurve-uk.com/childrenswriting.htm

Writing for Children
www.wordpool.co.uk/wfc/wfc.htm

Writers Reign – Writing for Children
www.writersreign.co.uk/Writing_for_Children.html