Dean's 30-hour poetry marathon to raise money for cathedral
The dean of Worcester, the Very Revd Peter Atkinson, is attempting to read 25,000 lines of poetry over 30 hours to raise money for the city’s cathedral. Atkinson, who previously read 20,000 lines over 24 hours in 2010, will begin his latest poetry marathon at 9am on Thursday 29 August and end at 3pm on Friday 30 August. He plans to read the whole of Dante’s Divine Comedy, as well as requests fr...
28th August 2013
Southbank poets pay tribute at 'I Have a Dream' anniversary
Poets Charlie Dark, Deborah Stevenson, Dizraeli, Hollie McNish, Jacob Sam La-Rose, Malika Booker, Salena Godden, Vanessa Kisuule, and Zena Edwards will be joining with members of America’s legendary Last Poets to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jnr’s I Have a Dream speech at...
28th August 2013
Scottish political slam – war without bloodshed?
Poetry slams are often seen as the antithesis of many folks’ perception of poetry, given their (usually) fiercely competitive nature. So what will a Festival of Politics slam be like, especially on...
25th August 2013
Upon the beach, inside the arts centres: Armitage unveils his walk itinerary
Simon Armitage will be reading his poems in village halls, libraries, arts centres, a museum, a converted chapel, two farms, and will be seen on beaches during his Walking Away tour of the west cou...
17th August 2013
The cruellest month? Warning and plea on cancelled gigs
August is the cruellest month, to misquote The Waste Land. Our Gig Guide editor has recently contacted all the owners of gigs listed with us over the next month. From replies we've had, it's clear ...
16th August 2013
Superheroes slam, and the Wigan winner is…
…Dave Viney, Manchester poet – well, Stretford – with a consummate pair of performances that had the judges in agreement and the capacity audience on the edges of their seats – those that had 'em.
...16th August 2013
Gaia Holmes launches new collection at Hebden Bridge
Gaia Holmes will be launching her new collection, Lifting the Piano with one Hand, at the Book Case, Hebden Bridge, on Thursday 22 August at 7pm. Her work was included in the recent anthology of Yo...
16th August 2013
Poet's daughter takes over as editor of literary magazine Ambit
The daughter of Adrian Mitchell, Briony Bax, is to take over as editor of the eclectic, anti-establishment, arts magazine Ambit. She succeeds Dr Martin Bax, who has been editor of the magazine for ...
12th August 2013
Guardian readers nominate debut poetry collection for award
A debut collection of poetry nominated by readers has won a place on the Guardian first book award longlist. The Shipwrecked House, by Claire Trévien, picture...
12th August 2013
Poet and biographer Nicholas Murray gives Liverpool reading
Poet and literary biographer Nicholas Murray will be reading from his latest collection of poems, Of Earth, Water, Air and Fire, at Blackwell University bookshop in Liverpool on Friday 16 August at...
12th August 2013
No Carol Ann Duffy? Write a poem for the little prince
It seems Carol Ann Duffy is on laureate leave, leaving a literary lacuna. Can you fill it? The Guardian is urging folks to write a poem for the royal sprog. How about you having a go?
Antoine d...
3rd August 2013
Poet Todd Swift hits back after soaking
A poet, publisher and academic has blogged a poem about an incident, reportedly involving members of the band The Wanted, in which he says he had liquid thrown over him from a hotel balcony.
To...
1st August 2013
Write Out Loud's Gig Guide notches up 10,000 events
Write Out Loud’s celebrated Gig Guide, beloved of event organisers and poetry lovers looking for a good night out, has recently notched up its 10,000th individual listed event. Write Out Loud’s fou...
1st August 2013
Southbank stages hip-hop party to celebrate skateboard culture
Award-winning playwright, poet and performer Inua Ellams is curating R.A.P Party, an evening of hip-hop-inspired poems and favourite hip-hop songs with an all-star bill at the Purcell Room of Londo...
1st August 2013
