Poetry & Music and a Tinsel Street Update

Karin Kamar

 I'm staggered and on a second high, but I'll come to that shortly.

Out-Spoken

On 27th November I went along to another Out-Spoken event. This time it was back in its usual place, the Purcell Room. I had no idea who the poets or musicians were, but that's part of the fun. There is usually a surprise.

The first poet was Haia Mohammed from Gaza. Oh my, what a story she related of her life in Gaza, and when she read her poetry, you could have heard a pin drop. She moved people to tears, and she received a standing ovation. The room was filled with chants of Free Palestine. Wow, amazing. I bought her book.

Haia Mohammed

Other poets included Ozifa Benson and Luke Kennard. I really liked Luke's poetry. Using the story of Jonah and the Whale, but updated, this was a witty rendition of different parts of the story. I might have to check his poetry out. He's won lots of prizes, yet I'd never heard of him.

Ozifa Benson

Luke Kennard

Shanteh

Musicians were Karim Kamar (classical pianist who I've seen a few times there), Jared Nandra who played boogie-woogie and Shanteh, whose loop pedal I was fascinated with.

So an interesting evening.

Tinsel Street

I seem to have started a fad. Most people who have bought my book (people I met) began reading in on 28th November when the book starts. All the chapters start on a date. I've been told by various people that they are hooked and can't wait to see what happens to the characters. That is so pleasing. When you send a book (or any writing) out into the world, you never know how it will be received. Will they get you and what you are saying? Will they like the characters? Which ones will they prefer? Tinsel Street is my baby. I spent five years on it, and I love my characters. They have become my friends, and I would quite like to know what happens to them next. So, there may well be a sequel.  When is another matter. I've neglected other parts of my writing this year to get the 'Lawnmower' book and Tinsel Street published, but it has been worth it.

I found out yesterday that I have sold 75% of the print run of Tinsel Street! I cannot believe it. My goals are always low. I prefer it that way, so I am gobsmacked that this has happened. People are saying lovely things (please say them in reviews!) and the new box of books I ordered has diminished, and I think I shall be left with three spares. 

A new box of books arrives

My penfriend in Switzerland who works in a book shop (she is also a crime writer), has asked her colleague if she would order one of my books for the English table. She's ordered three!

I have a quote up on Troubador's website about my experience with them as my publisher. They have been great and so supportive.

I was given a few gifts at my book launch by friends. Each one was beautiful, lovely flowers, beautiful words and a bag that made me laugh out loud. Thanks. You've all been fantastic.

It's not too late to buy a book while stocks last! But out of all this, it is so nice to know people like my stories. This was always my aim. I've never sought big money (ha, likely chance anyway). I only ever wanted to share my stories with people and for them to take them to heart. I'm never going to be a bestseller writer, but I don't care. Small goals!

Famous names and me!

 Out-Spoken

Life has become rather hectic lately, so much so, that I thought I'd written a blog post about the Out-Spoken event I attended, and now I can't find the list of people guesting. No matter - the famous ones I remember!

Out-Spoken is usually held in the Purcell Room on the Southbank, but the event was moved to the Queen Elizabeth Hall. What was amazing is that they kept the ticket price the same, just £15. It is always an evening of poetry and music, and often I've never come across the poets before. This time they had Simon Armatage, Jackie Kay and Michael Rosen. 

I came across Jackie Kay's poetry when I studied at the OU and we looked at a poem of hers. This made me seek out other things she had written, including several novels. She was also the after-dinner speaker at the Mslexia writing conference in Leeds a good few years ago. So, I've kind of followed her. Simon Armatage is a poet whose work I have read for many years. He hasc  done some installation poetry in the hills (Penine Way?). Michael Rosen I'd heard of, yet never read anything by him. I thought he was more a children's' poet, but I was wrong, though he does write for children. He had a long stay in hospital with Covid and wrote a lot about that.

Michael Rosen

The singers on the night I had not come across before, though the pianist had appeared at Out-Spoken before, and he is very good. The other two were a girl with a backing band and a guy from the Caribbean whose music is a fusion of reggae and jazz. Both acts were good.

The singers

Up first in the poetry performers was Michael Rosen. His poetry was a mix of funny and serious. There was even humour in his 'hospital' poetry. There were a couple of more political poems, including Don't Mention the Children, a poem for Gaza (see below) and a poem about Nigel Farage! Michael's performance has made me want to read more of his poetry.

Next up was Jackie Kay, whose performance I strangely remember least about, I'm sorry to say. maybe because of the build-up to see Simon Armatage! 

Jackie Kay

Simon Armatage was the highlight of the evening, for me, at least. He read various poems including one using those buzz words business people use, that no one but them understands. It was hilarious. I could have listened to him all night.

Simon Armatage

I was sitting in the rear stalls, but with my phone camera set on maximum zoom, I was able to capture a few half-decent shots. It really was a great evening.

Booker Prize Readings

I went to this event last night with a writer friend. Again it was on the Southbank, this time in the Royal Festival Hall. This isn't something I would normally attend, but it was good to see my friend. For those don't know (and I didn't), the shortlist for the Booker Prize are:

Flashlight - Susan Choi

The Loneliness of Sonia & Sunny - Kiran Desai

Audition - Katie Kitamura

The Rest of our Lives - Ben Markovits

The Land in Winter - Andrew Miller

Flesh - David Szalay

I've not come across any of the authors before, though Kiran Desai is the daughter of Anita Desai, whose books I have read. If you want to know more about these books, click here.

Each author read a piece from their books, though the readings were shorter than I expected.They were then 'interviewed' by the host. In the main, the books all seemed very intense, and nothing really stood out, except the one by Ben Markovits. I liked him, He was funny, and the book has humour in it. This appealed to me. Right now I'm looking for books with humour in them, and of course I write a lot of humour. There are times in life when only humour works. I have to be in the right mood for some of those deeply intense stories.

There was a lot of talk about writing with risk, but this was never fully explained, and at times I had no idea what was being discussed. Is this what Booker Prizes is about? It's all very serious and above me. The winner will be announced today - tonight. While the concept of these books sound interesting, none of the readings made me want to go out and buy one, certainly not in hardback! I'm rooting for Ben, and I may buy his book when it appears in paperback.

Me

I had a pre-launch meeting for Tinsel Street with my friend. She's very efficient, and turned up with a spidergram plan and coloured pens, I laughed. I hope I didn't offend her. He is so organised, while I muddle along. However, she is the right person to have on board. We went through where things will be on the night - books, refreshments etc., and what will happen in sequence. It is now two days away! Eek! I am part filled with nerves and part with excitement. It will be lovely to see many of my friends who are coming from near and far for the event. I am even going to be making my bran fruit loaf (vegan) to cut up into squares. Let's hope this isn't the time for cooking disasters, because yes, I'm stressed. Otherwise, I have bought all the drinks and nibbles for the event.

My son is going to take photos on the night, so I will have something to show you in my next blog post.

I can tell you that I have now got Tinsel Street into my local library. I went down to ask if I could leave some leaflets and then presented them with the book. Although they couldn't find it on their system, they asked if I could leave it with them and they would see if it could be catalogued. A little over a week later, they emailed me to say it was on their shelf. I went down there a few days later and found it on the recently returned shelf! Oh, the excitement! And I'm overusing exclamation marks here, but I never imagined I'd have book on a library shelf (oh, in my dreams maybe, but to actually happen?)

Until next time, happy reading. Maybe see you at the book launch?

Out-Spoken at Purcell Room, Southbank, London

 The first Out-Spoken of the year took place on Thursday, an evening of poetry and music. I had no idea who would be performing, but there is always something to like, and there are books available to buy during the internal and afterwards.

Compare for the evening was Toby Campion, as award-winning poet, playwright and facilitator. He also read some of his own poetry after the interval, and I'd love to read more of it, but I'd already maxed out on two poetry books on the night!

Tony Campion

First up was Amy Acre, who runs Bad Betty Press. She read from her book Mothersong about growing up and being a mother and being a woman. She was followed by William Letford, whose reading from his dystopian book of poetry and diary entries was both funny and thoughtful. His humour caught me and made me want to know more, so I bought his book. The first music came from Amethyst, a soul/jazz trio, though one member couldn't make the show. While it's not my kind of music, Amethyst herself had a very good voice.

Amy Acre

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William (Billy) Letford

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Amethyst

After the interval, and Toby's poems, he introduced Karim Karmal. I'm not sure I have the spelling right as his name wasn't on the sheet we were given when we arrived. He is a composer and I'm sure I've seen him play in a past Out-Spoken event. The piece he played was lovely, very calming and beautiful.

Karim

Then it was the turn of Nick Laird, and Irish writer who read a personal poem about the death of his father during covid, and all the trauma of not being able to visit the hospital and saying goodbye via video His other poem was about he and his sister clearing the house.

The final performance was from Yaw Evans, a composer, electronic musician and DJ from South London. He played synthesizer. I tried to get a photo, but he was hidden behind his equipment and all I could see was the top of his head. Even at the end, he exited too quickly for me to take a photo.

It was a good evening with a lot of laughter. These events are a good way to keep up to date with what is being written in the poetry world and to hear it read. It's a place to come across poets that are new to me. Very inspiring.

My purchases

February slump

 I'm in a bit of a slump right now. I don't seem to be able to find a direction. I have pieces ready to send out, but cannot find the right place to send them. Either submission windows are closed or I don't see me in that particular magazine. I'm loath to send to anymore competions at this time. Has anyone else noticed how entry fees have gone up? I did send to one competition this week, but I cannot justfy spending that much every time. I have to weigh up the fee against the prize (and my chances??). 

Even my projects have come to a stand still. However, I am toying with the idea of taking an in depth Flash Fiction course. It's expensive, hence the hesitation.

However, a few good things happened at the end of last month. My poem, How it Began, was published by Amethyst Journal. This poem came out of an article I read which fascinated me. When people ask where I get my ideas from, reading is one of them. It can be very random, and certainly this poem wouldn't have been written had I not read the article.

The other great thing was attending Out-Spoken at the Purcell Room at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre with a friend. We found out that this is a monthly event, and we enjoyed it so much we are going back again this month!

Kim Moore

The evening consisted of three poets and two musicians. I'd particularly wanted to see Kim Moore, whose poetry book The Art of Falling, I have read. This time she read from her latest book, All The Men I Never Married. I loved her quip to the late arrivals, 'Sorry, you've missed the penis poem', or words to that effect! During the interval, I bought her book along with Improvised Explosive Device by Arji Manuelpillai, who was the first reader of the evening. His poetry was like nothing I had heard before and based on extremism, and why people act the way they do. He'd interviewed people including Tamil Tigers and an EDL member, and researched articles.

Arji Manuelpillai

Mark Waldron's started off his session with a poem about a Lawnmower Museum. It was so funny everyone was roaring with laughter. He had a mix of funny poetry and poetry taken from folk and fairies tales. I particularly liked his funny poetry. It makes a refreshing change, as most poetry is serious and often dark.

Mark Waldron

The musicians were Jay Verma, a UK-based jazz pianist, and Jamie Leeming, a jazz guitarist. I'm not a fan of jazz, but I wouldn't have called Jamie Leeming a jazz guitarist. I enjoyed his music, and was fascinated by his use of a loop machine.

Jamie Leeming

I found the evening inspirational and it left me with a buzz. It's good to see what poets are writing these days. 

Finally, I have been asked my Mothers' Union Branch to give a talk on my writing experience, so I have been busy putting together information and making A5 booklets with a combination of flash and poetry I've had published to give away on the night. I should add that I've been a member of this branch since my eldest son was a toddler. I'll tell you how it went next time.

Now back to the slump!