Artswords News August 2017

Dear Writers and Readers  

We’re in Europe, even though we are no longer meant to be part of it, and we are into August, the month when many European workers take a break.
In Swindon, Artswords workers too will be resting this month, at least in a manner of speaking.

So, there will be no Swindon Artswords Reading Group at LSF, no Artswords Writers’ Cafe at LSF, no Artswords Writing Group at RJM, no Wonderwords Open-Mic, no Park Library Writers Group, and no Mum’s the Word Writing Group at LSF.
But all of them will be back in September!

For the keen writers and poets among you, there is still some writing action to be had. 
 
A few weeks remain in which to enter  The Aesthetica Creative Writing Award 2017 , which includes, £1000 cash prizes, for Poetry and Short Story.
 
Or, why not visit the Flashers' Club a quarterly open mic flash fiction night, known for its supportive audience and lit mag give-aways. It will be held on Thursday 3rd August, 7:30pm-10:30pm - Smokey Joe's Coffee Bar, Cheltenham. 

For anyone looking for a short, local, writing retreat on Saturday 19th August, check out Cheltenham Writers' Retreats

Closer to home, on the east side of Swindon, Magic Mondays will continue to take place at the Richard Jefferies Museum throughout August on the eponymous day, 1pm – 3pm for children and the childlike.

And almost last, but not least, this month, one notable Literature-linked event has launched in Swindon - Poetry Swindon Festival programme hosting a series of events not to be missed!
 
Also, here’s advance notice (early booking advised!) of the autumn Artswords Writing Course
  with Jill Sharp, starting 12th September.  Whether it's that novel you've always meant to write, your memoirs, or a short story or play for radio, Jill will help you to make it happen. Cost - £35 for five sessions. E mail Jill on  jillksharp@gmail.com for further details or to book a place.

If you have any news for September that you would like us to put in the next issue of this Newsletter, please send it to us by the middle of this month.

Have a good August and rest of  Summer!


Matt Holland & Emma Smith
SWINDON ARTSWORDS 
mailto:matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk
“The summer night is like a perfection of thought”.
The House Was Quiet and The World Was Calm - by Wallace Stevens


Artswords News July 2017

Summer’s in full swing and here’s a reminder of what Artswords and friends offer you this month.

Wonderwords, an open-mic-like evening of wordsmithery, welcoming anyone who wants to enjoy or tell a story, recite a poem, sing a song, tell something funny or serious, meaningful or mischievous, or simply sit, smile, and enjoy what others offer. Wonderwords promotes the traditional art of speaking or singing from memory and takes place on Tuesday 4thJuly from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Central Community Centre, Emlyn Sq Swindon SN1 5BP. Entry £2.00.

Mum's the Word, a friendly, informal group for mothers interested in writing, meets on Tuesday 4th July at 7.30pm at Lower Shaw Farm. Don't worry if you haven't had a chance to write anything yet. The group will help you get started, if you want it to. For further information, please contact Helen at helen@ifsandbuts.co.uk or Monica at montimms@waitrose.com

Park Writes is a free writing group held at Park Library open to all and with a focus on expressing your own stories and life experiences. If you already enjoying writing, have a story you would like to tell or would just like to give it a go, local poet Tony Hillier will be holding expertly guided sessions on creative writing in any form. Everyone is invited to come and explore the benefits of writing in a relaxed and supportive setting where sharing is welcome but not compulsory.  

Sign up at the Library or just turn up on the day! Park Writers’ sessions start 1.30pm Wednesday 5th of July at Park Library, Cavendish Square. Further information from EGarnett@swindon.gov.uk

Poetry Swindon present a regular poetry night 'Poetry in the Sitting Room' of the Richard Jefferies Museum hosted by Hilda Sheehan and Sam Loveless on Monday 10th July. Bring a favourite poem, or a poem or two you have written to share with a friendly audience. 
Tea and Coffee for sale in the tea-room. 6pm to 9pm. Tickets £3.

The Artswords Reading Group meets at Lower Shaw Farm at 7.30pm Tuesday 11th July to discuss  The Quiet American by Graham Greene. A naive, young, idealistic American is sent to promote democracy in Vietnam and things don’t quite work out; or do they?
New members welcome! Further details about the reading group from matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk 

For other reading groups across Swindon, run by Swindon Libraries, see here.

On 16th July Poetry Swindon and the Richard Jefferies Museum welcome poet Chrissy Williams & invite everyone to an Open Mic in the garden of the museum. There will also be Green-Man Life-drawing too.  Bring a poem you have written or favourite to share with a friendly audience.

Artswords Writers' Cafe & Kitchen, a meeting place for new writers, experienced writers and anyone interested in writing, takes place on Thursday 27th July Lower Shaw Farm. Starting at 7pm and finishing at 10pm, it is a reflective and adventurous writers' meeting place. The emphasis is on connecting with one another and experiencing and offering feedback on other people's writing. Please also, if you can, bring a little something to nibble or to drink, and to share.  

If you have any news or events for August and would like us to mention them in the next Artswords newsletter, please let us know by the middle of this month by emailing matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk or calling 01793 771080.

Happy reading, writing, and other summer activities!

Matt Holland & Annie Vickers 
SWINDON ARTSWORDS 
LOVE LITERATURE! LOVE LIFE!

Artswords News June 2017

Dear Writers and Readers


June is busting out all over and this is not a party political mail-shot urging you to vote one way or another . . . It’s simply a reminder of what Arstwords and friends offer you this month.

Wonderwords, an open-mic-like evening of wordsmithery, welcoming anyone who wants to enjoy or tell a story, recite a poem, sing a song, tell something funny or serious, meaningful or mischievous, or simply sit, smile, and enjoy what others offer. Wonderwords promotes the traditional art of speaking or singing from memory and takes place on Tuesday 6th June from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Central Community Centre, Emlyn Sq Swindon SN1 5BP. Entry £2.00.

Mum's the Word, a friendly, informal group for mothers interested in writing, meets on Tuesday 6th June at 7.30pm at Lower Shaw Farm. Don't worry if you haven't had a chance to write anything yet. The group will help you get started, if you want it to. For further information, please contact Monica

Poetry in the Sitting Room takes place on Monday 12th June: a regular Poetry Night in the Sitting Room of the Richard Jefferies Museum hosted by Hilda Sheehan and Sam Loveless. Bring a favourite poem, or a poem or two you have written to share with a friendly audience. Tea and Coffee for sale in the tea-room. 6pm to 9pm. Tickets £3.

The Artswords Reading Group meets at Lower Shaw Farm at 7.30pm Tuesday 13th June to discuss At the Existentialist Cafe by Sarah Bakewell. It’s mid twentieth century Paris and, for key intellectuals, Jean Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and others, a philosophical cocktail is brewing!
New members welcome! Further details about the reading group from matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk 

For other reading groups across Swindon, run by Swindon Libraries, see here.
 
Outer and Inner Landscapes: a workshop with Myra Schneider Saturday, June 24 from 2:00pm - 5:30pm Richard Jefferies Museum SN3 6AA.  Landscape and locations have a strong influence on our feelings and ideas. Outer world are a way into exploring and writing about our inner worlds. There will be tea and readings from participants (please bring one short poem to share) as well as a reading by Myra Schneider. To book contact Hilda@richardjefferies.org  

Artswords Writers' Cafe & Kitchen, a meeting place for new writers, experienced writers and anyone interested in writing, takes place on Thursday 29th June at Lower Shaw Farm. Starting at 7pm and finishing at 10pm, it is a reflective and adventurous writers' meeting place. The emphasis is on connecting with one another and experiencing and offering feedback on people's writing. If you'd like your work to be the subject of helpful comments and discussion, please email said piece to artswordsinfo@gmail.com by Thursday 22nd June, so that group members can read and reflect in advance of meeting. This should amount to no more than 500 words of prose or more than 40 lines of poetry. Please also, if you can, bring a little something to nibble or to drink, and to share.  

The Battered Moons Poetry Competition is now open. See here for full details.

If you have any news or events for July and would like us to mention them in the next Artswords newsletter, please let us know by the middle of this month by emailing matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk or calling 01793 771080.

Happy reading, writing, and voting!

Matt Holland & Annie Vickers
SWINDON ARTSWORDS 
LOVE LITERATURE! LOVE LIFE!

Artswords News April 2017

Artswords News APRIL 2017

Dear Writers and Readers

No fooling! Here is news of what Artswords and others who like Literature-related activities in Swindon offer in this month, when daffs give way to dandelions, and box offices are busy taking bookings for tickets for the Swindon Festival of Literature!

Wonderwords, an open-mic-like evening of wordsmithery, welcoming anyone who wants to enjoy or tell a story, recite a poem, sing a song, tell something funny or serious, meaningful or mischievous, or simply sit, smile, and enjoy what others offer. Wonderwords promotes the traditional art of speaking or singing from memory and takes place on Tuesday 4th April from 7:30pm to 9:30pm in the Activities Room in the Health Hydro, Milton Road, Swindon. Entry £2.00.

Mum's the Word, a friendly, informal group for mothers interested in writing, meets on Tuesday 4th April at 7.30pm at Lower Shaw Farm. Don't worry if you haven't had a chance to write anything yet. The group will help you get started, if you want it to. For further information, please contact Monica.

The Artswords Reading Group meets at Lower Shaw Farm at 7.30pm Tuesday 18th April to discuss Transit by Rachel Cusk.   Faye’s life is tricky, troubled, but terrific; and Cusk pulls no punches, misses no tricks, and has a sharp eye for life, now.
New members welcome! Further details about the reading group from matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk

For other reading groups across Swindon, run by Swindon Libraries, see here.


For an evening of crime and intrigue… join others at Swindon Central Librray for a very special event on Thursday 20th April to mark World Book Night. For full details see here

Artswords Writing Group at Richard Jefferies Museum Sessions run from 10.30 until 12.00 on Tuesday mornings. The group is tailored to the needs and interests of members, and a typical session has writing prompts and activities, extracts from contemporary writing to discuss, and an opportunity to have your own work given constructive critique. Sessions are relaxed and friendly, but purposeful!
For more info or to book a place, email Jill Sharp at: jill@sharppractice.wanadoo.co.uk

The Richard Jefferies Museum supports writers, poets, diggers and dreamers in many ways. You can find out more here.

Artswords Writers' Cafe & Kitchen, a meeting place for new writers, experienced writers and anyone interested in writing, takes place on Thursday 27th April at Lower Shaw Farm. Starting at 7pm and finishing at 10pm, it is a reflective and adventurous writers' meeting place. The emphasis is on connecting with one another and experiencing and offering feedback on people's writing. If you'd like your work to be the subject of helpful comments and discussion, please email said piece to artswordsinfo@gmail.com  by Thursday 20th April, so that group members can read and reflect in advance of meeting. This should amount to no more than 500 words of prose or more than 40 lines of poetry. Please also, if you can, bring a little something to nibble or to drink, and to share.

If you have any news or events for May and would like us to mention them in the next Artswords newsletter, please let us know by the middle of this month by emailing matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk or calling 01793 771080.

Happy spring reading,writing, talking, and listening!

Matt Holland & Annie Vickers

SWINDON ARTSWORDS
LOVE LITERATURE! LOVE LIFE!

Artswords News March 2017

Dear Writers and Readers


Here’s news of what Artswords and others who like Literature-related activities in Swindon offer in this month of daffodils and festival launches, . . . well, at least one!
 
Wonderwords, an open-mic-like evening of wordsmithery, welcoming anyone who wants to enjoy or tell a story, recite a poem, sing a song, tell something funny or serious, meaningful or mischievous, or simply sit, smile, and enjoy what others offer. Wonderwords promotes the traditional art of speaking or singing from memory and takes place on Tuesday 7th March from 7:30pm to 9:30pm in the Activities Room in the Health Hydro, Milton Road, Swindon. Entry £2.00.

Mum's the Word, a friendly, informal group for mothers interested in writing, meets on Tuesday 7th March at 7.30pm at Lower Shaw FarmDon't worry if you haven't had a chance to write anything yet. The group will help you get started, if you want it to. For further information, please contact Monica.
 
Swindon Festival of Literature: programme launch! At 12 noon on Thursday 16th March, the brand-new 40-page full-colour programme for the twenty-fourth Swindon Festival of Literature will be unveiled, hot off the press, at Swindon’s prize-winning Central Library. If you have the time, you are invited to join us for this little launch.

The Artswords Reading Group meets at Lower Shaw Farm at 7.30pm Tuesday 21st March – The Story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor. A tale, a story, a legend, or a myth? Set in Ireland, over a 70-year period, it shows how calamity shapes life.
New members welcome! Further details about the reading group from matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk 

For other reading groups across Swindon, run by Swindon Libraries, see here.

Artswords Writing Group at Richard Jefferies Museum Sessions run from 10.30 until 12.00 on Tuesday mornings. The group is tailored to the needs and interests of members, and a typical session has writing prompts and activities, extracts from contemporary writing to discuss, and an opportunity to have your own work given constructive critique. Sessions are relaxed and friendly, but purposeful!
For more info or to book a place, email Jill Sharp at: jill@sharppractice.wanadoo.co.uk

The Richard Jefferies Museum supports writers, poets, diggers and dreamers in many ways. You can find out more herePlease note that the poetry masterclass with Kim Moore and Poetry in the Sitting Room is sold out.

Artswords Writers' Cafe & Kitchen, a meeting place for new writers, experienced writers and anyone interested in writing, takes place on Thursday 30th March at Lower Shaw FarmStarting at 7pm and finishing at 10pm, it is a reflective and adventurous writers' meeting place. The emphasis is on connecting with one another and experiencing and offering feedback on people's writing. If you'd like your work to be the subject of helpful comments and discussion, please email said piece to artswordsinfo@gmail.com  by Thursday 23rd March, so that group members can read and reflect in advance of meeting. This should amount to no more than 500 words of prose or more than 40 lines of poetry. Please also, if you can, bring a little something to nibble or to drink, and to share.  

If you have any news or events for April and would like us to mention them in the next Artswords newsletter, please let us know by the middle of this month by emailing matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk or calling 01793 771080.

Happy reading and writing, and talking and listening!

Matt Holland & Annie Vickers

SWINDON ARTSWORDS
LOVE LITERATURE! LOVE LIFE!

Artswords News February 2017

Dear Writers and Readers


Here’s news of what Artswords and word-friends offer in this month of snowdrops and signs of spring...

GREENE FERNE WRITERS 10am at Richard Jefferies Museum Friday 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th February. A weekly, group-led writers' group for all levels. Bring one poem or a short piece of prose for group feed-back and support. £2 per session or buy a semester pass for £30 Cafe available for refreshments and cakes. Book here 

Wonderwords, a new event starting 7th February from 7:30pm to 9:30pm in the Activities Room in the Health Hydro, Milton Road, Swindon. Wonderwords welcomes all forms of wordsmithery: storytelling, poetry, singing, anecdotes, monologues, stand up comedy etc and promotes the oral tradition by emphasising performance from memory. Entry £2.00.

Mum's the Word, a friendly, informal group for mothers interested in writing, meets on Tuesday 7th February at 7.30pm at Lower Shaw Farm. Don't worry if you haven't had a chance to write anything yet. The group will help you get started, if you want it to. For further information, please contact Monica.

The Artswords Reading Group meets at Lower Shaw Farm at 7.30pm Tuesday 21st February – Red Love by Maxim Leo.  Looking back on the GDR and discovering why the dreams of a new world did not last. 
New members welcome! Further details about the reading group from matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk 

For other reading groups across Swindon, run by Swindon Libraries, see here.

Artswords Writing Group at Richard Jefferies Museum
New series of 5 sessions starts on 21st Feb, cost £35. Sessions run from 10.30 until 12.00 on Tuesday mornings. The group is tailored to the needs and interests of members, and a typical session has writing prompts and activities, extracts from contemporary writing to discuss, and an opportunity to have your own work given constructive critique. Sessions are relaxed and friendly, but purposeful!
For more info or to book a place, email Jill Sharp at: jill@sharppractice.wanadoo.co.uk

Artswords Writers' Cafe & Kitchen, a meeting place for new writers, experienced writers and anyone interested in writing, takes place on Thursday 23rd February at Lower Shaw Farm. Starting at 7pm and finishing at 10pm, it is a reflective and adventurous writers' meeting place. The emphasis is on connecting with one another and experiencing and offering feedback on people's writing. If you'd like your work to be the subject of helpful comments and discussion, please email said piece to artswordsinfo@gmail.com  by Thursday 16th February, so that group members can read and reflect in advance of meeting. This should amount to no more than 500 words of prose or more than 40 lines of poetry. Please also, if you can, bring a little something to nibble or to drink, and to share.  

Finally, for those so inclined, Aesthetica Magazine has announced that it is taking entries for its 11th creative writing awards. See here for further details. 

If you wish to forward this newsletter, please do; and like us on Facebook or join the conversation on Twitter

If you have any news or events for March and would like us to mention them in the next Artswords newsletter, please let us know by the middle of this month by emailing matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk or calling 01793 771080.

Happy reading and writing, and talking and listening!

Matt Holland & Annie Vickers

SWINDON ARTSWORDS
LOVE LITERATURE! LOVE LIFE!

Artswords News January 2017

Dear Writers and Readers

Happy New Year!


Let’s hope it’s a good one, for health, peace, projects, friendships, good writing, and good reading!


Here’s news of what Artswords and friends offer this month.


Mum's the Word, a friendly, informal group for mothers interested in writing, meets on Tuesday 3rd January at 7.30pm at Lower Shaw Farm. Don't worry if you haven't had a chance to write anything yet. The group will help you get started, if you want it to. For further information, please contact Monica.


POETRY IN THE SITTING ROOM with Hilda Sheehan and Sam Loveless 6pm – 9pm Monday 16th January at the Richard Jefferies Museum. Bring a favourite poem or two. £3. Booking essential here.
 The Artswords Reading Group meets at Lower Shaw Farm at 7.30pm Tuesday 17th January to discuss Outrun by Amy Liptrot. Childhood happiness, wild nature, adolescent addictions, cosmopolitan lifestyles, relationships, the call of the wild, it’s all here, in this prize-winning memoir. New members welcome! Further details about the reading group from matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk 


For other reading groups across Swindon, run by Swindon Libraries, see here.


GREENE FERNE WRITERS 10am 20th January A weekly, group-led writers' group for all levels. Bring one poem or a short piece of prose for group feed-back and support. £2 per session or buy a semester pass for £30. Cafe available for refreshments and cakes. Book here.


Artswords Writers' Cafe & Kitchen, a meeting place for new writers, experienced writers and anyone interested in writing, takes place on Thursday 26th January at Lower Shaw Farm. Starting at 7pm and finishing at 10pm, it is a reflective and adventurous writers' meeting place. The emphasis is on connecting with one another and experiencing and offering feedback on people's writing. If you'd like your work to be the subject of helpful comments and discussion, please email said piece to artswordsinfo@gmail.com  by Thursday 19th January, so that group members can read and reflect in advance of meeting. This should amount to no more than 500 words of prose or more than 40 lines of poetry. Please also, if you can, bring a little something to nibble or to drink, and to share.
 WRITE POETRY – 6pm 30th January. A monthly session, for all levels of experience, with Hilda Sheehan. £30 for all 6 sessions. Concessions available. Booking essential here
For any further information on events at the Richard Jefferies Museum, email: hilda@richardjefferies.org or see http://www.poetryswindon.org/


If you wish to forward this newsletter, please do; and like us on Facebook or join the conversation on Twitter


If you have any news or events for February and would like us to mention them in the next Artswords newsletter, please let us know by the middle of this month by emailing matt@lowershawfarm.co.uk or calling 01793 771080.


New Year’s greetings and happy reading and writing!


Matt Holland & Annie Vickers
SWINDON ARTSWORDSLOVE LITERATURE! LOVE LIFE!