"Where is human nature so weak as in the bookstore!"
Henry Ward Beecher
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Nottingham Folk Industry Day 2010
19 November, Nottingham
Join an action-packed and thought-provoking day of keynote speeches, workshops, presentations, discussion, showcase performance and debate across three strands. For more information and to book:
http://www.festivalorganisers.org/ConferencesAndTraining/Folk_Industry_Conference.html
Join an action-packed and thought-provoking day of keynote speeches, workshops, presentations, discussion, showcase performance and debate across three strands. For more information and to book:
http://www.festivalorganisers.org/ConferencesAndTraining/Folk_Industry_Conference.html
Monday, 18 October 2010
Jenny Swann talks about how she came to start Candlestick Press
Jenny where did the idea come from for the press?
I set up Candlestick Press in 2008 with the aim of broadening out the readership of poetry – I love (good) poetry, and I couldn’t believe that I was in such a small minority. So the idea was to find a way to bring poetry back into the swing of everyday life.
How did you come up with your concept of 'Instead of a Card'?
Lots of different factors conspired to bring together the ‘Instead of a Card’ poetry pamphlet. I had been working as poetry editor for another Nottingham publisher, Five Leaves Publications, and had seen a couple of poetry pamphlets through the presses… and fallen in love with them. There is something about poetry pamphlets, as opposed to full collections, that is so gorgeous – they feel nice, they make a great introduction to a poet you don’t know, without hitting you over the head with more than you really wanted at a first sitting.
And you can wander around with them tucked neatly into a pocket or a bag – for whatever reasons, I feel a great attachment to them as a vehicle for conveying poetry along with pleasure, delight, curiosity.
How do you use the idea to encourage people to have a go at poetry?
By packaging up our pamphlets with an envelope and bookmark, we found a way of encouraging people to buy poetry pamphlets – namely, as an alternative to the more mainstream greetings cards. Hence, for instance, we published ‘Ten Poems about Love’, knowing that most of our friends and acquaintances would much prefer to be given that for Valentine’s Day than another schmaltzy, over-priced card.
What developments have taken place this year for Candlestick Press?
So – that is the background to the Press. The foreground is that earlier this year, I teamed up with Di Slaney and we are now jointly running the Press. She is a woman after my own heart – someone who can add up, knows one end of a spreadsheet from the other, and keeps hens. Really, I couldn’t have asked for more in a business partner.
What are you currently working on?
As we approach Christmas, we are sending out frightening numbers (but nicely so! I love a little frisson of fear, myself) of our second Christmas poetry pamphlet, published in collaboration with the generous-spirited Carol Ann Duffy. She has agreed to select and introduce a Christmas poetry pamphlet with us for each of the ten Christmases that she is Poet Laureate.
(this is how I first met Candlestick Press, buying their 2009 Christmas collection Eileen)
And what's your next collection about?
Next February sees the publication of ‘Ten Poems about Tea’ with an introduction by Sophie Dahl (this was the brainchild of the Picador poet, Lorraine Mariner, who had been quietly collecting poems about tea for a couple of years).
So there’s never a dull day. And even if there were, it would be punctuated by cups of tea and poems!
Eileen's recommendation:
If you know someone who'd appreciate a Christmas card with a difference or you want to start a new tradition in your family, then head over to http://www.candlestickpress.co.uk/poetry-pamphlets/ and do your Christmas shopping away from the scrum of the high street.
Thanks Jenny.
I set up Candlestick Press in 2008 with the aim of broadening out the readership of poetry – I love (good) poetry, and I couldn’t believe that I was in such a small minority. So the idea was to find a way to bring poetry back into the swing of everyday life.
How did you come up with your concept of 'Instead of a Card'?
Lots of different factors conspired to bring together the ‘Instead of a Card’ poetry pamphlet. I had been working as poetry editor for another Nottingham publisher, Five Leaves Publications, and had seen a couple of poetry pamphlets through the presses… and fallen in love with them. There is something about poetry pamphlets, as opposed to full collections, that is so gorgeous – they feel nice, they make a great introduction to a poet you don’t know, without hitting you over the head with more than you really wanted at a first sitting.
And you can wander around with them tucked neatly into a pocket or a bag – for whatever reasons, I feel a great attachment to them as a vehicle for conveying poetry along with pleasure, delight, curiosity.
How do you use the idea to encourage people to have a go at poetry?
By packaging up our pamphlets with an envelope and bookmark, we found a way of encouraging people to buy poetry pamphlets – namely, as an alternative to the more mainstream greetings cards. Hence, for instance, we published ‘Ten Poems about Love’, knowing that most of our friends and acquaintances would much prefer to be given that for Valentine’s Day than another schmaltzy, over-priced card.
What developments have taken place this year for Candlestick Press?
So – that is the background to the Press. The foreground is that earlier this year, I teamed up with Di Slaney and we are now jointly running the Press. She is a woman after my own heart – someone who can add up, knows one end of a spreadsheet from the other, and keeps hens. Really, I couldn’t have asked for more in a business partner.
What are you currently working on?
As we approach Christmas, we are sending out frightening numbers (but nicely so! I love a little frisson of fear, myself) of our second Christmas poetry pamphlet, published in collaboration with the generous-spirited Carol Ann Duffy. She has agreed to select and introduce a Christmas poetry pamphlet with us for each of the ten Christmases that she is Poet Laureate.
(this is how I first met Candlestick Press, buying their 2009 Christmas collection Eileen)
And what's your next collection about?
Next February sees the publication of ‘Ten Poems about Tea’ with an introduction by Sophie Dahl (this was the brainchild of the Picador poet, Lorraine Mariner, who had been quietly collecting poems about tea for a couple of years).
So there’s never a dull day. And even if there were, it would be punctuated by cups of tea and poems!
Eileen's recommendation:
If you know someone who'd appreciate a Christmas card with a difference or you want to start a new tradition in your family, then head over to http://www.candlestickpress.co.uk/poetry-pamphlets/ and do your Christmas shopping away from the scrum of the high street.
Thanks Jenny.
Sunday, 17 October 2010
Scribal Gathering presents Hockley Hustle
23rd October 2010 15:00
For more info contact books@leftlion.co.uk
For more info contact books@leftlion.co.uk
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Why write a book?
Every author I've worked with, including myself, asks the question, 'why would people want to hear what I say?'
When I was talked into writing Writer's Little Book... with Big Ideas, I wondered about doing it. Make no mistake, writing a book, however much you love writing, needs your determination and stamina.
So you might think, is it worth the effort?
Having done it and encouraged and helped others to do it I'd give you a resounding YES!
Well you might say, I would say that wouldn't I since I have several books to sell. (Thanks for reminding me of that and I'll give you the link to go and take a look). But beyond that...
... stop for a moment and think.
Of your life experience
Of your unique position in the world
and
Of your voice
Perhaps you're thinking, I'm not unique. But you are because no other human being has ever stood in the place you are at this moment, looking at the world from your eyes.
Pretty spooky when you consider it like that isn't it? I know it makes me think.
So even if you write on the same topic as 40 or 400 other writers, it's not going to come out exactly like anybody else. Unless you copy word for word and we know that's not on.
Whenever I've started something new, a course of study, a new job, a new project, I've said to myself, 'If I can help someone else just one other person to deal with their life, make progress or find the courage to make a change, then I'll be happy.'
Just one other person. That's who you might reach with your book. And you might be the only person who can reach them.
And if that's the case, what will happen to that person if you don't share what you know?
Whether you're going to lift their spirits, help them learn a new skill or open a door into a different way of life, that's what you're sharing. Far beyond merely the words on the page.
If you have that book burning away inside of you, let it out. Until you let it out you have no idea of its impact not only on others but on you.
Because the first person it will change is you.
And if you need help, head over to www.writerslittlebook.co.uk/buythebooks.html
When I was talked into writing Writer's Little Book... with Big Ideas, I wondered about doing it. Make no mistake, writing a book, however much you love writing, needs your determination and stamina.
So you might think, is it worth the effort?
Having done it and encouraged and helped others to do it I'd give you a resounding YES!
Well you might say, I would say that wouldn't I since I have several books to sell. (Thanks for reminding me of that and I'll give you the link to go and take a look). But beyond that...
... stop for a moment and think.
Of your life experience
Of your unique position in the world
and
Of your voice
Perhaps you're thinking, I'm not unique. But you are because no other human being has ever stood in the place you are at this moment, looking at the world from your eyes.
Pretty spooky when you consider it like that isn't it? I know it makes me think.
So even if you write on the same topic as 40 or 400 other writers, it's not going to come out exactly like anybody else. Unless you copy word for word and we know that's not on.
Whenever I've started something new, a course of study, a new job, a new project, I've said to myself, 'If I can help someone else just one other person to deal with their life, make progress or find the courage to make a change, then I'll be happy.'
Just one other person. That's who you might reach with your book. And you might be the only person who can reach them.
And if that's the case, what will happen to that person if you don't share what you know?
Whether you're going to lift their spirits, help them learn a new skill or open a door into a different way of life, that's what you're sharing. Far beyond merely the words on the page.
If you have that book burning away inside of you, let it out. Until you let it out you have no idea of its impact not only on others but on you.
Because the first person it will change is you.
And if you need help, head over to www.writerslittlebook.co.uk/buythebooks.html
Friday, 15 October 2010
Punctuation
There's a great little poem into today's Writer's Almanac about punctuation. If you've ever struggled like me to make your mind up, I think you'll enjoy this.
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/
Nottingham Writers' Club: Sci-fi and Fantasy Workshop
Writing Sci-fi and Fantasy Workshop
16th October 2010 10:00 - 16:00
Steve Bowkett is an experienced teacher and author of over fifty books. The full day Sci-fi and Fantasy workshop is hosted by Nottingham Writers’ Club at the Nottingham Mechanics, 3 North Sherwood Street, Nottingham, NG1 4EZ. The cost is £10 which includes morning and afternoon tea and coffee. Normal concessions also apply. For furher details visit http://www.nottinghamwritersclub.org.uk/ or tel; 9817661.
16th October 2010 10:00 - 16:00
Steve Bowkett is an experienced teacher and author of over fifty books. The full day Sci-fi and Fantasy workshop is hosted by Nottingham Writers’ Club at the Nottingham Mechanics, 3 North Sherwood Street, Nottingham, NG1 4EZ. The cost is £10 which includes morning and afternoon tea and coffee. Normal concessions also apply. For furher details visit http://www.nottinghamwritersclub.org.uk/ or tel; 9817661.
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