Archive for August, 2010
6 October: W/Shop – Writing For Internet Radio
1 year ago
Wednesday 6 October
TransMission Possible: an introductory workshop to writing for internet radio
1- 6pm
Venue: Radio Wildfire studio, Gun Quarter, Central Birmingham (full details will be given after booking)
Get your writing heard and help create a bespoke transmission for the Birmingham Book Festival on this writing for transmission workshop with Radio Wildfire. Internet radio is a growing field for the transmission of spoken word whether that be poetry, short stories, storytelling or drama. It is also an excellent medium for getting yourself noticed as a writer. The workshop will begin with a writing and editing session following which, after a break for refreshment, you will be recording your own work and helping to create the Birmingham Book Festival Loop, a repeating hour of material that will transmit for the rest of the festival period. This will include work produced during the day, archive material from last years festival plus work and interviews from artists taking part in 2010. The workshop will last until 6.00 pm but you are welcome to stay on afterwards until the whole of The Loop is ready and put online, and the publicity sent out. Ideas that you’ve already worked on and pieces you write on the day, they’ll all be considered for transmission.
Please give an email address as we will be sending other information (including directions and venue address) out to you before the workshop. (NB due to time restrictions, no guarantee can be made about the length of any contribution to The Loop. All decisions will be made on the day.)
The writing workshop will be led by Dave Reeves, Radio Wildfire presenter and previously editor of Raw Edge Magazine for 13 years; the recording and editing will be supervised by Vaughn Reeves and Benjamin Stanley from the Radio Wildfire creative production team.
Tickets: £26 (£23)
Box Office: 0121 303 2323 ONLINE BOOKING available now.
Are you Birmingham’s next Poet Laureate?
1 year ago
by Birmingham Book Festival
in News
Birmingham Poet Laureate 2010/2011
Deadline: 31 August 2010
Birmingham Library and Archive Services are now searching for the city’s 15th Poet Laureate. Birmingham is home to a wealth of literary talent and this annual position is an honorary one that is much coveted.
Who should apply?
Poets that are capable of producing original and creative poetry, who are also able and willing to perform their own work and prepared to get involved in key high profile corporate, arts, cultural and educational events throughout the year (the Poet Laureate will also be commissioned to write poetry about Birmingham during the year).
How can you apply?
To apply for the position of Birmingham Poet Laureate, you must live or work in the Birmingham area and be an experienced poet. You will need to submit four original poems that you have written, (one of which should be on this year’s National Poetry Day theme of ‘Home’) and a Statement of Interest. Your statement should include why you would like to be considered for the position, what experience you have in promoting poetry as well as detailing what you would bring to the position. The statement should ideally be no more than one side of A4. Your submission should be typewritten. Please do not write your name on any of the poems.
Submissions will be read and judged by a panel of judges which will include poetry activists from the city’s Poetry Places as well as the current Birmingham Poet Laureate Adrian Johnson. The successful candidate will also be expected to mentor and work with Birmingham’s sixth Young Poet Laureate. (This will be done through developing new work as well as general encouragement and support).
For more information, see the Full Details Here or apply online
18 November: Stella Duffy – The Room Of Lost Things and Beyond
1 year ago
Thursday 18 November
Stella Duffy – The Room of Lost Things and Beyond
The Library Theatre, Birmingham Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3HQ
Time: 7- 8.30pm
In Association with SHOUT Festival
Stella Duffy has written twelve novels, forty short stories, and eight plays. Her latest novel, Theodora, was published by Virago in June 2010. The Room of Lost Things and State of Happiness were both longlisted for the Orange Prize, The Room of Lost Things won Stonewall Writer of the Year 2008. She has written forty short stories, including several for BBC Radio 4, and won the 2002 CWA Short Story Dagger for Martha Grace. Her first crime novel, Calendar Girl, was voted 5= of the top 100 novels in the international Big Gay Read. In addition to her writing work, Stella is an actor and theatre director, most recently performing in Improbable’s Lifegame at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
Tickets: £5 (£4)
Box Office: 0121 303 2323 or BOOK ONLINE
11 November : Sarah Kane – A Life
1 year ago
Festival Extra
Thursday 11 November
Sarah Kane : A life
The Library Theatre, Birmingham Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3HQ
Time: 7- 8.30pm
In Association with SHOUT Festival
The plays of Sarah Kane have been performed all over the world, and translated into countless languages, but it remains little known that her controversial career has links here in Birmingham. It was while studying for what is now the University of Birmingham’s MPhil in Playwriting that Sarah’s play Blasted was performed as part of a student showcase. There followed four other remarkable plays, work that has been studied and discussed ever since. Dark, with dry humour and an incredible appetite for love in spite of the often gruesome subject matter, there is no question of her contribution to British Theatre.
A life tortured by depression ended in suicide in 1999. Kane was 28. 4.48 Psychosis, her final play, was performed posthumously and was widely believed to be a suicide note – a notion that many who knew her fiercely deny.
Join us to explore the life and work of this remarkable writer and to look beyond the myths we think we know.
Tickets: £5 (£4)
Box Office: 0121 303 2323 or BOOK ONLINE
Fringe Festival: In Association with Birmingham Libraries
1 year ago
FESTIVAL FRINGE
In association with Birmingham Libraries
The Festival Fringe events are part of a wider, free, Fringe programme by Birmingham Libraries during the Autumn.
A pdf of the full Birmingham Libraries Fringe Festival 2010 (supported by us) is available here.
The Library have been good enough to lend us their fringe space for the following events.
Venue: Fringe Lounge (Central Library Foyer), Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ
Meet The Author:
Christine Coleman will be in the Fringe Lounge on Friday 15th October, 5-6pm.
Come and chat to Christine about her two novels, Dangerous Sports Euthanasia Society and Paper Lanterns, and about writing and publishing.
Meet The Academy:
Birmingham City University and the National Academy of Writing will be in the Fringe Lounge on Wednesday 6th October, 5-6pm. Come and meet students and staff, talk about writing, studying writing, and the courses on offer, including a brand new MA in Writing.
These events are free and you don’t need a ticket – just drop in!
14 October: W/Shop: Nick Walker- Flash Noir Fiction in Hitchcock’s Hallway
1 year ago
WORKSHOP
Thursday 14 October
Ikon Eastside, 3 Fazeley Street, Birmingham, B5 5SE
2.30 – 4.30pm
Nick Walker: Flash Noir Fiction in Hitchcock’s Hallway
A suspense-filled, Hitchcock-drenched writing workshop where typing is against the clock and the only light is sliced through Venetian blinds. Your Jimmy Stewart for the afternoon is Perrier nominated writer, novelist, and playwright Nick Walker. You’ll pay for the whole seat, but only use the edge of it.
With thanks to Ikon Gallery 
Note: This workshop will take place amidst Ikon Eastside’s exhibit, Hitchcock’s Hallway and will include a short talk on the installation. www.ikon-gallery.co.uk
Tickets: £23 (£17)
Box Office: 0121 303 2323 or BOOK ONLINE
9 October: W/Shop: Mandy Ross – Family Writing
1 year ago
WORKSHOP
Saturday 9 October
Shakespeare Memorial Room, Birmingham Central Library, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3HQ (meeting point)
10.30am -12.30pm
Mandy Ross: Family Writing
Join Mandy Ross for a walking, writing tour of the city centre. Taking in Birmingham’s architecture, nature, history – and its people – you may find inspiration in the least likely places…
Mandy has written over 60 children’s books. Her latest, Hometown History Birmingham, traces the city’s history from Roman times to the present.
Tickets sold in pairs:
£12 for one adult and one 9-16 year old
Box Office: 0121 303 2323 or BOOK ONLINE
Note: this workshop will involve walking. Waterproofs and comfortable footwear are advised.
Workshop Saturday is sponsored by Newman University College, Birmingham
9 October: W/Shop: Andy Walsh – Writing for Games
1 year ago
WORKSHOP
Saturday 9 October
South Birmingham College, High Street Deritend, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5SU
1.30pm – 4pm
Andy Walsh: Writing for Games
In Association with the Writers’ Guild
This practical, interactive workshop will outline the ins and outs of interactive writing. Industry terminology explained, writing styles demonstrated and a chance to try your hand at some games writing.
Andrew Walsh has worked as a writer, designer, director or script consultant on more than 40 videogames. He won the 2009 Writers’ Guild Videogames Writing Award for Prince Of Persia.
Tickets: £23 (£17)
Box Office: 0121 303 2323 or BOOK ONLINE
Workshop Saturday is sponsored by Newman University College, Birmingham
9 October: W/Shop: Jo Ind – Finding Your Blogging Voice
1 year ago
WORKSHOP
Saturday 9 October
South Birmingham College, High Street Deritend, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5SU
1.30pm – 4pm
Jo Ind: Finding Your Blogging Voice
You can write – but how do you write for the web? A practical workshop on writing blog posts, including tips on drawing readers to your website and using photographs.
Jo is a journalist and a blogger (joind.co.uk). She is deputy site editor for NHS local (nhslocal.nhs.uk) and manages its blogs.
Tickets: £23 (£17)
Box Office: 0121 303 2323 or BOOK ONLINE
Workshop Saturday is sponsored by Newman University College, Birmingham
9 October: W/Shop:Michael W. Thomas – Setting Them All in Motion
1 year ago
WORKSHOP
Saturday 9 October
South Birmingham College, High Street Deritend, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5SU
1.30pm – 4pm
Michael W. Thomas: Setting Them All in Motion
How can we build character? From the outside in, creating their looks, behaviour, place in life? Or from the inside out, focussing on personality, attitude, philosophy? In this workshop, we’ll explore giving life to characters in poetry and prose.
Michael W. Thomas is a poet, novelist and dramatist. His latest poetry collection is Port Winston Mulberry, from Littlejohn and Bray.
Tickets: £23 (£17)
Box Office: 0121 303 2323 or BOOK ONLINE
Workshop Saturday is sponsored by Newman University College, Birmingham
