Joe Williams: The Taking Part - Online book launch

Open Mic Event

Contact: joe@joewilliams.co.uk

Join us for the online launch of ‘The Taking Part’, the new book by award-winning Leeds poet Joe Williams.

‘The Taking Part’, published by Maytree Press, is a short collection of poems on the theme of sport and games, though as Joe says: “Being poems, they aren’t really about those things at all, they just use that as an excuse to do whatever the hell they want.”

Poet Matt Nicholson says of the book: “Joe Williams is a subterranean explorer. He’s a miner drilling down into areas not oft-renowned for their rich poetic seams, seeking sustainable sources of inspiration to keep us informed, entertained and moved by his wry perception. The good news is that fresh from his newest exploration, ‘The Taking Part’, Joe has returned to the surface with a haul of poems about sports and games that shine like proverbial diamonds. His canary of truth and illumination is very much alive and ready to keep us safe. (No animals were harmed in the making of this extended and tortuous metaphor.)”

The event takes place on Zoom and will be hosted by Natalie Scott, who says: “‘The Taking Part’ is in many ways like a satisfying sports match; it has those crowd-pleasing moments, getting caught up in the dramas and the tragedies, taking pleasure in the facts and stats and being impressed by the superb display of skills. This pamphlet collection therefore will likely have appeal to poetry season-ticket holders and newcomers to the field alike.”

Joe will be reading poems from the book, with support from singer-songwriter Danny Malone and forthcoming Maytree pamphleteer Anne Steward. There’ll also be an open mic section, where attendees will be invited to read their own work for up to 3 minutes. You don’t have to stick to the sport and games theme, but you’re welcome to do so if you want to.

If you want to attend, please register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/joe-williams-the-taking-part-online-book-launch-registration-152108339137. The link to access the event will be emailed to registered attendees a day or two beforehand.

If you haven’t used Zoom before, make sure you’ve set up an account at https://zoom.us/ and have downloaded the software onto the device you’re going to use. It’s very easy to do and works on all standard devices.

‘The Taking Part’ can be pre-ordered at https://joewilliams.co.uk/shop/ for £7 with free UK delivery.

Entry: Free

Time: 2:00pm