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Commonword · No 3 Planetree House · 21-31 Oldham Street · Manchester, M1
1JG · United Kingdom
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Events and Opportunities from
Commonword
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Change
is in the air. Here at Commonword, whilst our workshops have been
winding down for their Summer break, several other projects have
been picking up speed. We hope you enjoy reading this month's
newsletter with its sneak-peeks and updates. Stay-tuned for 2 big
launches in August...
Best
wishes- Commonword
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Commonword's
Digital Literature Platform
Launching soon...
Commonword’s
Digital Literature Platform launches in August. The Platform will be
an online space where you can explore literature in new forms, with a
focus on accessibility and experimentation. Watch the first part of
our Digital Literature manifesto above.
As part of this initiative, a group of Commonword writers are
currently working on creating interactive stories with the
open-source tool Twine, which will eventually be hosted on the
Platform. More news on this as it develops.
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Watch the Loose
Connections launch
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the launch of Identity’s
Loose Connections collection on the 30th June. It was
wonderful to have so many in the audience enjoying the work of our
longest-running writers’ group. If you weren’t able to attend on the
night, the event stream is available on the Commonword Youtube
channel.
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Update on Children's Picture Book
Project
The project is rolling along well. Seven stories by seven
writers have gone forward to Hachette Children's Group and three
writers from the seven will be selected for further development by
Hachette via one-to-one feedback and emails, with a view to
publication.
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Find your next read... in 90
seconds!
Watch our series of 90-second book reviews on our Youtube channel. As
part of his role on the Jhalak Prize judging panel, our Co-Artistic
Director Pete Kalu delved into the full-range of spectacular books
launched in 2020.
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Black Queer Book Club
A reading group for people who are both LGBTQ+ and from Global
Majority communities [ie, African, Caribbean, Southeast, South, East
Asian, Middle Eastern Diaspora communities, as well as Indigenous
communities]
August's Book: Cack-Handed by Gina Yashere: A memoir
which sounds very, very funny. Queer summer reading!
If you would like to attend, please email cheryl@cultureword.org.uk or join our Facebook group by
clicking here.
Learn more on the Book Club's webpage: www.cultureword.org.uk/services-and-workshops/queer-black-book-club-2/
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Workshops break until September
Novel Writers Group and Identity are currently on their Summer break
until September.
Both groups will be recruiting for new members when they return!
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- The Morley
Prize for Unpublished Writers of Colour. In
accordance with its ambition to improve access and diversity
in publishing and British literature, Morley College invites
unpublished novelists of colour to submit a manuscript of
the first 30-50 pages of an original novel. The prize winner
will receive £500, a meeting with a professional literary
agent and a free manuscript review.
Deadline: 22nd August 2021
Further information: www.morleygallery.com/morley-lit-prize-applicants
- New Writing North currently have a number
of vacancies including Programme
Manager for Participation and Young People as
well as Senior
Manager (Finance and Operations)
Further information: https://newwritingnorth.com/vacancies/
- Muslim Writers North are
launching M
Words the UK’s first literary magazine
dedicated to British Muslim writing. They have an Open Call for
all forms of writing including essays, poetry, screenplay and
even lyrics.
Deadline: midday on Tuesday 17th August
Further information: https://muslimwriters.org.uk/mwords-literary-magazine-launch/
- Were you based in London during the
lockdown? The Royal
Society of Literature wants to create a poetic
snapshot of London during this historic moment
Find out more and
submit your poem: https://rsliterature.org/2021/07/write-across-london-poetry-map/
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tweet/facebook/IG
us with your favourite/first memory of Commonword.
Send us a picture of yourself holding a I ❤ Commonword
sign #iLoveCommonword
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You can
catch us on Social Media
twitter @cultureword #iLoveCommonword
facebook.com/culturewordcommonword
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Commonword |
Cultureword | Crocus Books
Commonword
No. 3 Planetree House
21-31 Oldham Street
Manchester
M1 1JG
All workshops and events are currently taking place online.
0161 832 3777 info@cultureword.org.uk
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Events and Opportunities from
Commonword
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This
month we have lots of opportunities and news items for you, as
well as an invitation to Identity's launch event taking place
this week!
Happy reading - Commonword
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Identity
presents... Loose Connections
Wednesday 30th
June, 6.30pm via Zoom
Join us for live
readings from Identity’s “Loose
Connections” collection which centres on the themes of
family and diasporic experience. This event is also an
opportunity for writers to learn more about the group, including how
to join.
Cheryl Martin, co-Artistic Director at Commonword,
will be our compere for the evening.
Running time: Approx 1h 30
We hope you can
join us this Wednesday.
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Commonword National
Black Writers’ Conference
Dates: 20th
& 21st November, 2021
This year, our National Black Writers’ Conference is
going to be all-virtual, and panellists, workshop leaders and
performers will be all-female-identifying.
Everybody is welcome to view, to listen, to learn, to talk to the
panellists.
The Conference draws together the various strands of Commonword/
Cultureword’s creative writing development work, allowing us to share
it, showcase it, and invite national feedback and critical debate
around it. Plus we will be showcasing a lot of hot black talent.
Watch this space:
we’re getting closer to the right mix.
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"The First Woman" by
Jennifer Makumbi wins Jhalak Prize '21
The Jhalak
Prize recognises the best book of the year by a writer of
colour. On the 25th May 2021 Jennifer Makumbi's "The First
Woman" was announced as this year's winner.
We are thrilled for Jennifer, who is a former Commonword board member
and Identity participant. She has written an exquisite
coming-of-age novel set in Uganda during Idi Amin's brutal rule in
the 1970s.
Watch our video review above.
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"The Lost Woman of
Santacruz" by Vijay Medtia
Published: 1st June 2021
The year is 1998. It is mid-July in Mumbai. A crazed
cop-killer is terrorising the city. Inspector Ajay Shaktawat,
personal life in dire straits, is called in to investigate. Will
Shaktawat catch the elusive murderer before he strikes again?
In “The Lost Woman of Santacruz” Commonword writer Vijay Medtia
(author of "The Missing Husband") brings the reader up
close and personal with death and life in the dehumanising modern
city.
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"Jaz Santos vs. The World"
by Priscilla Mante
Published: 27th May 2021
Pick up the inspiring “Jaz Santos vs The World” for
any fans of Jacqueline Wilson. This book is a thrilling Middle-Grade
read that shows misfits becoming a wonderful team of footballers, led
by the irrepressible Jaz Santos. Author Priscilla Mante was one of
Commonword’s Diversity
Writing For Children Prize shortlisters.
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Black Queer Book Club
A reading group for people who are both LGBTQ+ and from Global
Majority communities [ie, African, Caribbean, Southeast, South, East
Asian, Middle Eastern Diaspora communities, as well as Indigenous
communities]
July's Book: Guapa
by Saleem Haddad
Meeting: 6.30 - 8.30pm, Thursday 22nd July 2021 on Zoom
For our Thursday 22nd July session, we've chosen Guapa, by Saleem Haddad,
winner of the 2017 Polari First Book Prize. A young interpreter
for Western journalists during the Arab Spring finds his own life
overturned when his family find out about his lover -- on the eve of
the lover's wedding. But there's so much more going on...
August's Book: Cack-Handed by Gina Yashere: A memoir
which sounds very, very funny. Queer summer reading!
If you would like to attend, please email cheryl@cultureword.org.uk or join our Facebook group by
clicking here.
Learn more on the Book Club's webpage: www.cultureword.org.uk/services-and-workshops/queer-black-book-club-2/
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Identity Writers Group
Identity have been preparing to share extracts from their collection
"Loose Connections" with a live audience via Zoom this
Wednesday 30th June at 6.30pm.
Join the
event to find out more about this seminal writing group.
Every Wednesday
6.30pm (currently on Zoom).
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Job Vacancy: Marketing and
Audience Development Manager, Z-arts
The role is to actively promote and support evaluation of all aspects
of the work of Z-arts. The successful candidate will need to be an
all-rounder with skills to deliver in the following areas: Marketing
and promotion; audience development; network support; evaluation and
supporting the senior management team with strategic planning.
Deadline: 10am, Friday 2nd July
Further information & application pack: https://www.z-arts.org/about-us/work-at-z-arts/jobs-at-z-arts/
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- The International
Writers Workshop at Hong Kong Baptist
University is currently inviting applications for their 2022 residency
programme. To be eligible writers must have
had a book published.
Deadline: 31st August 2021
Further Information: http://iww.hkbu.edu.hk/
- Queer Arts North Producer Surgeries
When: 29th & 30th June
Further info: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQJaa_-rxnB/
- The Portico Prize is now open for submissions. The UK’s
only award of its kind, the Portico Prize is a celebration of
outstanding Northern writing, open to new works of fiction,
non-fiction, and poetry.
Eligible books will have a central theme or subject that
engages with some aspect of the North of England and must have
been first published between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2021.
Deadline: 31st July 2021
Details: https://www.theportico.org.uk/portico-faqs-and-rules
- Oxford Road Corridor – Corridor
of Light Call Out for Artists
Seeking Greater Manchester-based artists, scientists,
creatives, designers and digital makers who can deliver an
outstanding creative idea to support this first Corridor of
Light. They are are seeking creative ideas that are high
quality and captivating.
Deadline: 5pm Thursday 8th July 2021
Call out pack: https://oxfordroadcorridor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Corridor-of-Light-Call-Out.pdf
- Imitating the Dog Digital Routes- Artist Development Programme
An opportunity for an early-career
underrepresented artist or artist-led company based in
the North of England. This project is all about developing a
new piece of work that makes innovative use of digital
technologies.
Zoom Q&A:
Tuesday 29th June 6.30pm
Deadline: Midday 7th July 2021
More information: http://www.imitatingthedog.co.uk/opportunities/
- Manchester Pride- Call out for Volunteers
Volunteering over
August Bank Holiday weekend means you’ll be right at the heart
of Manchester Pride Festival. Applications now open.
Meet & Greet (Optional): 8th July, 6pm via Zoom
Apply here: https://www.manchesterpride.com/volunteers
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tweet/facebook/IG
us with your favourite/first memory of Commonword.
Send us a picture of yourself holding a I ❤ Commonword
sign #iLoveCommonword
|
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|
|
|
|
You can
catch us on Social Media
twitter @cultureword #iLoveCommonword
facebook.com/commonwordcultureword
instagram @cultureword
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Commonword |
Cultureword | Crocus Books
Commonword
No. 3 Planetree House
21-31 Oldham Street
Manchester
M1 1JG
All workshops and events are currently taking place online.
0161 832 3777 info@cultureword.org.uk
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