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GUARDIAN CARDIFF: Literary Christmas events in Cardiff


Literary Christmas events in Cardiff

The festive season is upon us. Let guest blogger Susie Wild help you to enjoy a Literary Christmas with her guide to the best of the seasonal spoken word events in Cardiff
If last week's literary extravaganza wasn't enough, Christmas week brings another host of festive reasons to be jolly.
Monday 20 December sees Cardiff Arts Institute's Alternative Christmas Carol Service featuring poets from Cardiff's Jam Bones and the Red Poets. Don your Christmas apparel and join them for some Yuletide fun, or as they say: "Indulge your love of all things festive: warm songs, fuzzy beards, mince pies, mulled wine and rocking around the Christmas tree. This is a sing-a-long event and it essential that you bring your vocal cords!" Go along and be merry with them.
Tuesday 21 December is Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year. As such why don't you come and celebrate National Short Story Day on the shortest day of the year at Gwdihw from 7pm. The evening of events, in association with Academi, will feature readings from the best local short story writers including Rachel Trezise, who won the inaugural Dylan Thomas Prize for her short story collection Fresh Apples, Matthew David Scott, Rob Lewis, Mab Jones and myself.
There will also be a short, short story open mic so bring flash fiction along to read, or scribble a new story on the night. For those of you who like to leave their Christmas shopping until the last minute, there will also be a short story book stall on the night, run by my lovely publisher Parthian. If you are really in the party mood, you might go and join other impoverished writers at the Unemployed Daytime Disco first.
Story Telling at Milgi's Yurt is also taking place on Tuesday 21 December from 8pm featuring guest storyteller Mary Anne Roberts and guest musician Domestic Violins. Fancy performing a turn? Well you can, if you would like to do a story or a couple of songs or tunes arrive early and speak to David or Guto.
Other budding storytellers should also be aware that CAI regular True Stories Told Live Cardiff is seeking new people to perform at their events in 2011.
Finally, if you are seeking inspiration for books to buy for your literary loved one, here is a list of all eligible books for Wales Book of the Year 2011. I would also recommend taking a look at Bert's Cult Book section in Waterstone's. I want them all, hint, hint. Enjoy the festive season. Eat, read and be merry.
susie wildSusie Wild
Today's guest blogger Susie Wild is a writer, poet, journalist and editor.

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