Commonword newsletter

Here is the latest Commonword newsletter for my followers to peruse:

Events and Opportunities from Commonword October 2018 For updates: website www.cultureword.org.uk twitter @cultureword facebook (facebook.com/culturewordcommonword) Dear Commonword Writer, Welcome to the October newsletter! This month we bring you details of: Indivisible disabled writers group, Black Writers Conference 2018,  the launch of debut poetry collections from Keisha Thompson and fukudapero, Commonword's Black Queer Book Club, and news from our writers. Happy reading! HOW TO ENTER 1. Like our Facebook page 2. Like our competition post and tag someone you'd like to bring along with you The post can be found by clicking here and the deadline is 5pm today (Monday 1st October).  INDIVISIBLE WRITERS GROUP a weekly group for writers who are under 30 and have invisible disabilities Starts on Tuesday 23rd October, 6.30-8.30pm   How does it work?  Each week, writers will bring along an extract of their work (poetry, fiction, script, creative essay) and receive feedback from the group. Attendees will have the opportunity to complete an Arts Award qualification, perform at events and have their work published. If you would like to attend the group, please email charlotte@cultureword.org.uk or join our Facebook group by clicking here. 12 DAYS TO GO! BLACK WRITERS CONFERENCE GENERAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW!  SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER 2018 Click HERE to book your ticket for £20/15.  Cultureword’s National Black Writers Conference will take place on Saturday, 13th October 2018. The conference is for writers and publishers who identify as Black/Asian/BAME/POC. It will explore: digital literature, afro-futurism, mental health, crime, developing audiences, writer journeys, DIY/self publishing and the black cultural economy. There will be events and initiatives in the run up to the conference. Check out our facebook page for regular updates, by clicking here. Debut Poetry Collections Launch Keisha Thompson and fukudapero Thursday 25th October, 6:30-9pm Twenty Twenty Two, 20 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 1EZ   Join us for the launch of two debut poetry collections: Lunar by Keisha Thompson and Flowers Like Blue Glass by fukudapero. Both writers will be reading from their collections and responding to questions from the audience. Books will be available to purchase on the night. If you cannot make the event, books can be purchased in person at Commonword offices or by emailing enquiries@cultureword.org.uk from October 26th. For more information, click here. Black Queer Book Club a reading group for people who are both BAME/POC and LGBT/Queer. October's book: Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin Meeting: 6.30 - 8.30pm, Thursday 25th October 2018 You can borrow this book from Manchester Central Library or purchase it on Amazon or Waterstones. If you would like to attend, please email charlotte@cultureword.org.uk.   What is it? The Black Queer book club is a new reading group held on the last Thursday of every month for for people who are both BAME/POC/Black and LGBT/Queer. The aim of the Black Queer book club is to study literature that relates to our identities, meet new people and come together in a space that is designed just for us. It will be fun, relaxed and informative and members will be encouraged to express their thoughts on literature and life. Hope to see you there! How it works Purchase a copy of this month's book or borrow it from your local library. Read the book and come to the club ready to discuss your thoughts on what you've read. This group is facilitated by Candice Buchanan. Volunteers Wanted for Commonword Community Archives Project Interested in writing and literature? Want experience in archiving, cataloguing and interviewing? Available for 1 day a week for at least 6 months? As a volunteer, you will be helping to make that archive available to the public and researching its history through the archive material and the people involved. We will offer full training and support and can offer reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as one or more of the following: Black/Asian/POC/BAME, disabled, LGBT+, working class or under 25. For more information, email heena@cultureword.org.uk or call 0161 832 3777.  Over Here Zine Fest 2018 Planning is well underway for Manchester’s zine fair showcasing the work of people identifying as Black / Asian / BAME / people of colour. There will also be workshops, talks and activities. We will have stalls from Zines and Ting, Rooted, Tender Hands Press and many others.  For updates and announcements about stallholders and the fest, visit our Facebook page. All welcome and entry is free. Saturday 13th October 2018, a stone’s throw away from Cultureword’s Black Writers Conference. Why not do both? Website: overherezinefest.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/overherezinefest Instagram: @overherezinefest Twitter: @OHzinefest News from Commonword Writers SHE WROTE HER OWN EULOGY by SHIRLEY MAY BOOK LAUNCH Monday 1st October 2018 18:00 - 20:00 Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, M2 5PD The launch of Shirley May's first book of poetry, 'She Wrote Her Own Eulogy', published by Wrecking Ball Press. Shirley will be sharing some of the poems from her book and discussing it with the audience. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. FREE EVENT. Register here.  THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID featuring ROSIE GARLAND Thursday 4th October 2018, 7-10pm Tribeca, Sackville Street Shortlisted for Best Spoken Word Night in the UK (Saboteur Awards), That's What She Said showcases the best new writing and performance by emerging and established women authors. Next taking place on National Poetry Day, That's What She Said features sets from award-winning 'literary hero' Rosie Garland and many more, with open mic slots available too. Tickets £3/5. Book here. THE CELOX AND THE CLOT by HAFSAH ANEELA BASHIR BOOK LAUNCH Sunday 7th October 2018, 4pm Anthony Burgess Foundation, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY The launch of Hafsah Aneela Bashir's debut poetry collection, The Celox and The Clot, published by Burning Eye Books. Hafsah will be delivering a theatrical performance of poems from the collection. Directed by theatre-maker Nikki Mailer, Hafsah will be accompanied by Sufi singer and musician Sarah Yaseen. Tickets £8/6. Book here. STILL I RISE Sunday 7th October 2018, times vary Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, M2 3JL The Travelling Heritage Bureau, are coming together to create a pop-up, interactive trail around Manchester Art Gallery. The women will lead you on a joyful journey of resistance, creativity and hope. Expect film, sculpture, textiles, painting, music and poetry with cultural influences from Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond. Still I Rise is directed by Yusra Warsama and features Commonword writers Firoozeh Fozouni, Shahireh Sharif and Mahboobeh Rajabi. FREE EVENT. More information here. ANCIENT OBJECTS - NEW WRITING Various times and dates Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, M2 5PD Inspired by ancient objects in the Manchester Museum’s collections, artists who have worked with Journeys Festival will share their new performance pieces. 'A Message of Peace’ by Mahboobeh Rajabi will be performed on the 8th of October at the North Manchester Library at 6-7pm. ‘I am Torn to Pieces Dear Poet, Come to My Rescue’ will be performed by Firoozeh Fozouni on 10th of October at the Central Library at 6-7pm. Both of these events are FREE. For more information, click here.   ARTISTS OF COLOUR Wednesday 17th to Saturday 20th October Islington Mill, 1 James Street, Salford, M3 5HW Bethany Hermitt is on the lookout for local artists to showcase their work at Islington Mill from 17-20th October. Events during these days will include artist sharing-sessions, a screening of Whoever Heard of a Black Artist, an exhibition of POC artists based in the North and a group trip to see the Speech Acts exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery. Artist of all disciplines welcomed. To find out more or to submit work contact bethanyhermitt@gmail.com. Register your interest in attending, here.  Audience Finder Survey As always, we ask that you complete our Audience Finder survey if you have attended events/workshops at, or run by, Commonword. We are very grateful for the time that is spent completing this survey and we love to hear from you. This feedback is important to us and helps us to ensure that we are doing a good job. The link directs you to Audience Finder, a tool which enables us to understand, compare, apply audience insights across the UK, and benchmark ourselves against other organisations. https://research.audiencesurveys.org/s.asp?k=152362312642 The results, of course, are all anonymous. Please forward this link to any of your friends and family who may have attended workshops or events with you. Many thanks, in advance Black Queer Book Club The last Thursday evening of each month, 6.30-8.30pm at Commonword offices You must be both BAME and LGBT to attend. Open to all levels of ability. The book of the month will be listed in our Newsletter. Please ring buzzer 6 on arrival. Email charlotte@cultureword.org.uk for more details Identity Writers Group Every Wednesday 6.30-8.30pm at Commonword offices BAME/POC only Open to all levels of writers; just turn up. From experienced to beginners. Please ring buzzer 6. Email martin@cultureword.org.uk for more details Indivisible Writers Group (starts Oct 23rd) Every Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm at Commonword Offices For people aged under 30 who have invisible disabilities (this includes mental illnesses and autistic spectrum disorders). Open to all levels of ability. Please ring buzzer 6 on arrival. Email charlotte@cultureword.org.uk for more details EXTERNAL WORKSHOPS Monday Night Group Every Monday 7-9pm in the Snug at the Lass O'Gowrie Open to all levels of writers, for everyone; just turn up. From experienced to beginners www.mondaynightgroup.org.uk https://www.facebook.com/mngmanchester Young Enigma A group for young LGBT+ writers. Contact Adam Lowe for further information info@youngenigma.com . Young Identity A group for under 25s who write poetry and spoken word. Contact Shirley May or Reece Williams on youngidentitymcr@gmail.com. Do you ❤ Commonword? tweet/facebook/IG us with your favourite/first memory of Commonword. Send us a picture of yourself holding a I ❤ Commonword sign  #iLoveCommonword  You can catch us on Social Media twitter @cultureword #iLoveCommonword facebook.com/commonwordcultureword instagram @cultureword   Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Website YouTube Commonword | Cultureword | Crocus Books Commonword No. 3 Planetree House 21-31 Oldham Street Manchester M1 1JG There is a buzzer for entry. The office number is 3, the workshop space number is 6. 0161 832 3777  enquiries@cultureword.org.uk

Commonword · No 3 Planetree House · 21-31 Oldham Street · Manchester, M1 1JG · United Kingdom