BYT: Once Upon A Time

JULY 2010
Once Upon A Time…

Hey BYT followers, how goes it?

I am in sunny Cornwall visiting relatives, reading, writing, and indulging in some beach time post-Glastonbury. Much needed R&R and work backlog catch up. My nan is trying to triple my size with huge meals and clotted cream, but I’m yet to have a PROPER Cornish pasty, so shall have to venture into the village soon to remedy this. Yum.

Glastonbury was a fantastic way to celebrate my birthday, not least because the sun shone for all 10 days that I was there and Stevie Wonder sang Happy Birthday just to me, honestly, he did… well me and the rest of the HUGE crowd! (Amazing, nonetheless). But also because I got to see some brilliant shows. Florence and the Machine was THE highlight for me, amazing outfit, heartfelt performance, much dancing and jumping up and down. Followed by her duet with Dizzie R. on the Pyramid Stage.

I watched Steve Harley just for the Smile song, and he delivered which made me smile too. As a HUGE Kinks fan I also loved watching Ray Davies (again), he seemed really happy, unlike when I saw him in Laugharne, and my top mate Ele provided us with chilled champagne which made it a really special afternoon. The Gorillaz bored me, but it was good to see Lou Reed join them on stage… and I’m still glad I ran off by myself to watch the end of The Flaming Lips, who were completely out of this world, I can’t wait to see their full set at Green Man. Other top acts included Peggy Sue (charming as ever), Tunng (a favourite act of mine), Tune-Yards (one crazy talented woman), The Dead Weather (Gothic wonder), Paloma Faith (I spotted her at 18), Toots and the Maytals (Hello Summer), Gomez (Student nostalgia), Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip (poetic brilliance).

Work AKA my storytelling sessions went well despite there being many young children about, thanks to their liberal parents (!) and even though I was present at a fair few of the circus workshops taking place in the same field as my tall tales, I still can’t juggle, sorry Fire Man Dave. Even better, I found 10 pretty pairs of size 7 shoes during the clear up. Just call me Shoezie; my friends have been.

Want to read some things I’ve written lately? You can. First up, my latest Mslexia blog. Second? I’ve written a piece of flash fiction for the July issue of Buzz Magazine. You can pick one up from the usual outlets in South Wales, or read it online [Page 50].

Miss me? Then come and see me in the flesh. I will be speaking some fictional words at the Readathon in Milgi, Cardiff on July 14th from 6pm as part of the Oxfam Bookfest.

Comments

PHOTO BLOG: Poetry at the Clocktower

We had a lovely day of poetry outside the Poetry Bookshop in Hay today and it stayed mostly dry too! Here’s me telling the audience some things about Bert (Roberto Pastore). Thanks Sian Lile-Pastore for the photo. And the rest of the photos as promised... Imogen Davies, Richard Davies, Niall Griffiths, Nigel Jarrett and Ifor Thomas took the early spots... (thanks to Christina and Ifor for these photos...) Richard (Parthian) & crowd Niall Griffiths reading Niall Imogen Ifor Thomas reads Nigel Jarrett reads Next up we had readings from Christina Thatcher, Abigail Parry and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch, followed by readings from Ness Owen, Mari Ellis Dunning, Jemma L. King, Tracey Rhys, Patrick Jones, Roberto Pastore and, drawing the short straw to go last, yours truly. Abigail reads Abigail again Roberto Pastore reads Ness Owen reads Everyone loves Bert Tracey Rhys reads Patrick Jones reads Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch A shot of Christina in red in the crowd Stalls at Hay Castle ...

BOOK REVIEW: 'one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Welsh writing in English'

There is a wonderful extended review essay 'Ecological Literacy' by Steven Lovatt in the latest issue of New Welsh Review exploring recent books that seek to restore natural and cultural ecologies and recognise how the cultural nature of our landscapes is preserved in language. It offers an in-depth look at This Common Uncommon by Rae Howells, and here are three of our favourite snippets: "Rae Howells’ new poetry collection, This Common Uncommon , is a fierce and loving affirmation of the local, exemplifying the sort of care-full attention to the interdependence of people, other animals and plants that will be required if anything worthwhile is to be saved from the present ruin." "Howells confirms the evidence of her first collection, The Language of Bees, that she is a highly adept poet, possessing one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Welsh writing in English." "If West Cross Common is developed for housing, nobody can now claim ignoran...

GIG ALERT: Voicebox Wrexham

Celebrate 11 years... (11 YEARS!) of Voicebox with an absolute class creative cabaret of Wrexham's Arts Scene with the infamous Voicebox Open Mic with your host Natasha Borton! This month we have a very special takeover with Parthian Books. Parthian is an independent publisher based in Cardigan, Wales. Since its foundation in 1993, Parthian has published some of the best-known works of contemporary Welsh literature. Parthian's motto is “A Carnival of Voices in Independent Publishing”. Monday 11th November at Rough Hands Tap, Wrexham Entry is £5 (£3 concessions) Doors: 7pm Open Mic 7:30 - 8:30 Susie Wild - 8:45 - 9:15 Patrick Jones - 9:15 - 9:45 Penblwydd Hapus Voicebox Headliners: Susie Wild is author of the poetry collections Windfalls and Better Houses, the short story collection The Art of Contraception listed for the Edge Hill Prize, and the novella Arrivals. Her work has featured in many publications including Poetry Wales, Ink Sweat & Tears and The Atlanta Review and...

Wildlife

Search This Blog