Getting Ahead of Myself

Phew!  The last five weeks have been manic.  I’m having a calmer rest of March.  With a bit more rest… maybe.

So, in no particular order:

Got some coaching coming up, through Bradford Producing Hub, to work out how to manage my next steps.  I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the play I’ve written, when I’m already up to my ears in poetry gigs.  There are worse problems to have, but I am hoping a bit of coaching might help me to plan it all so I don’t get burnt out, trying to do too many things at once.

Super excited to have been given a guest slot at Attic Stories, Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield on April 24th.  I’ve been a regular at the open mic there for two years, ever since I started my first wobbly steps on the stage.  It feels amazing to be joining the illustrious list of quality poets who have headlined that particular monthly event.  It’s also the Literature Festival, so it just feels like the perfect month to be performing in Hudds!

My hat is in the ring for the Huddersfield Literature Festival Slam, on 20th April at Small Seeds.  Wait and see.  Go anyway – it’s a fab night!

It’s my birthday early this month, so I’ll be going to The Chemic in Leeds on the afternoon of Sunday 7th April.  Not sure what I’ve let myself in for there.  It’s the Poets Talking Bollocks live podcast and variety show.  I’ll be drinking, and doing a turn, I reckon.  I’ve written something obtuse for their theme!

Finally, on Saturday 27th April, I’ll be doing a public reading of the short version of my play, with some of the other plays written by members of the Writers Studio, run by Freedom Studios.  I think the others are using actors to read, but mine is written and performed by just me. As I say, taking it easy. 🥴

Next gig: Blue Balloon’s IWD event at Salford Arts Theatre, Friday 8th March.

Oh my goodness, that was an incredible experience!  Proper theatre, stage, blinding lights, the lot! And the other performers – what quality!  I can’t thank Blue Balloon Theatre enough for choosing me to be a part of that line up.  Possibly life-changing.  ❤️

Coming Up

Lateral G at ‘Words with Fangs’ slam 2023. (Photo credit @fern.ij)

Now we’ve got past January, I’m starting to make plans again.   Time to begin to fulfil this year’s poetry missions. 

I realise that the reason I keep coming second in slams is because the winner is better known than me.  Now that is something I can solve – I just need to be out and about so much that I become the best known poet.  Simple!

I will now be competing in Mind Over Slammer, Leeds heat.  February 14th, Hyde Park Book Club. 6.30 start? This is a new national slam, run by Mind (the charity).  First and second place finishers from each heat go to London for a final, later in the year.

Hmmm… Here’s where I discover I’ve only really got one mental health themed poem. So that’s the first round sorted. I’ll be diversifying after that, if I get any further.

Blue Balloon in Manchester have picked me as one of eight performers in a variety event for International Women’s Day at Salford Theatre.  The main event is on March 8th, but there’s a shorter ‘taster’ event on Sunday 18th February as well.  I’ll be doing my thing at both.

News! Just been given a slam slot at One Mic Stand, Manchester on Wed 21st Feb as well. 

(I put a flurry of applications out, expecting some to work – but every single one has come back with a yes.)

On Monday 26th February, I have a guest slot with Subjective Silhouettes, at Geek Retreat in Leeds.   7pm start – it would be great to see some Leeds people there!  There are open mic slots of up to 5 mins, depending on numbers.

I’m in the Write Club Open Mic podcast again. Very complimentary about ‘MRI Review: Two Stars.’. Forgot to credit Boris Donkson, so it ended up looking like I did the sound as well as the poetry. Oops. Will try harder with that in future.

Also got my best publicity quote for the year. Mark Grist said I was “a literal G.” Love that.

Nightmares in Blossom Book Launch

I’m absolutely thrilled to be starting 2024 with this supporting slot. I love both poets and can’t wait to hear them read some of the poems from Nightmares in Blossom – published by Backroom Poetry, and on sale now!

The launch is on January 20th at The Chemic in Leeds. Saturday night gig – how rockstar is that? I’m on with loads of poets I really rate. What a way to start the year!