May 2022 Round-up: Virtual Literary Events
May has arrived! For most events organisers, this year has been an improvement on the past two – but we are combatting various challenges to ensure gigs can happen safely. Many gigs have returned to their venues (at full/reduced capacity) while others have opted to stay virtual for a bit longer. Some, determined to stay accessible, have created hybrid events or are running different events for both types of audiences.
Plenty of people remain understandably cautious about venturing out to attend gigs, especially those who are vulnerable, or are unable to attend in person. Here is the good news: creative communities across the UK, and all around the globe, are STILL putting on some amazing virtual events!
The HCE magazine team have created another list of online literary open mics, events and workshops (listed in separate categories below), to help you plan for the weeks ahead. Don’t miss out on taking part – seize this opportunity to “travel” far and wide, and even participate in events overseas…
OPEN MICS
Sun 1st May, 5-7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry LGBT Open Mic
Free monthly poetry open mic. Slots for up to 15 poets/writers/creatives (5 mins each). Email poetryloungelgbt@hotmail.com in advance/sign up on the night. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 2nd May, 10.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Word is Write: Cafe Generalissimo Open Mic
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Generalissimo Bryan Franco. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Mon 2nd May, 7-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Wordspace Open Mic
Free poetry open mic in a friendly, informal, supportive environment. No pre-booked slots, sign-up on arrival. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Mon 2nd May, 11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oceanside Library Poetry Series: Near and Afar
(Happens in: New York, USA)
Free poetry event, plus open mic (one poem/3 haiku each). Hosted by Tony Iovino, with featured poets: Amber Rose Crowtree MFA (New Hampshire) and Anne Coen (New York). For access info, visit the Oceanside Library events page.
Tues 3rd May, 7-10PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom
York Spoken Word
(Based in: York, UK)
An open mic event for poets and story-tellers. Slots are 4 mins each. For more details, visit the Facebook group page.
Wed 4th May, 1-2.30AM (UK time) – via Zoom
Speaking Crow: Virtual Edition feat. with Brigette DePape
(Happens in: Winnipeg, Canada)
Free poetry open mic. Ticket choice for open mic/audience. Headline poet is Brigette DePape (debut book: ‘ sun compass’, 2022). For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 4th May 2AM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Word is Write Deadpan Dope Open Mic
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Deadpan Lizzie. All mediums of art performance are welcome. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 4th May, 2AM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
SpoFest Poetry and Prose
Spoken word open mic night. Featuring guest performances from: Robert L. Dean Jr, Audrey Friedman, Keith Kopka and guest author J.L. Mathews. 3 mins per open mic reader. More info about signing up for open mic and accessing the gig is available on the Facebook event page.
Wed 4th May, 7-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Crafty Crows, feat. ‘Lucy English’ & ‘Jason Conway’
Free Gloucestershire Poetry Society open mic event, hosted by Josephine Lay. Headline poets: ‘Lucy English’ & ‘Jason Conway’. Open mic sign-up is first come, first served (email craftycrows2020@yahoo.com). For more info and to register, visit the Helm tickets webpage.
Thurs 5th May, 3AM (UK time) – via Zoom
Write to the Mic w/ Nick P. Workshop & Open Mic
Free writing workshop/open mic event for poetry, stories and songs, hosted by Nick Paleologos. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 6th May 1-3PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Friday Lunchtime Poem
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Martin Vernon in County Clare, Ireland. Slots are four minutes, for readers to share their own work or poetry by their favourite poets. Poets who are interested should email martinvernon@outlook.ie to request access details.
Sat 7th May, 11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry in the Brew
Suggested entry: $5. Poetry open mic event. Contact host Christine Hall for more info: poetryinthebrew@gmail.com or visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 8th May, 2AM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Word is Write: Cinco de Mayo Open Mic
Free poetry open mic event to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, hosted by Marissa Prada. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 8th May, 3AM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Word is Write Poetry Ca$h Slam Series 2022!
Poetry slam event – $10 to enter. Top two slammers win cash prizes and will be invited to the 2021 Grand Slam. Slots are 3 mins each. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 8th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Yes, We Cant
(Usually happens in: Walsall, UK)
Free monthly virtual open mic event – Pay What You Can. Headliner is Fay Roberts and ‘Alf Ender is Vron McIntyre. To request a space in the Zoom: email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com. For more details, visit the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists Facebook page.
Mon 9th May, 8.30PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom/website livestream/Vimeo/Facebook Live/YouTube Live
Ó Bhéal
(Happens in: Cork, Ireland)
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Paul Casey. Features live poetry prompt challenge, headliners Diarmuid Johnson and Róisín Sheehy, plus open mic. There are multiple ways to attend/watch the gig live. More info and access details are on the Ó Bhéal website.
Thurs 12th May, 8-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Get A Word In Edgeways Monthly Concert
Tickets: £5 (£3 concessions). Featuring Mary Ann Ochata, Jason Buck, Michelle Isava, Shane Ibbs, plus ‘Cath’s Cupboard of Customs’. For more details or to register, visit the Get a Word in Edgeways webpage.
Thurs 12th May, 7.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Fire & Dust Poets Zoom Around the World: Mel Bradley
(Usually happens in: Coventry, UK)
Free/Pay As You Feel monthly event. Poetry open mic slots, plus a special headline guest. Hosted by Ann Atkins. To attend, grab an Eventbrite ticket (free) for either open mic slot or audience. Details re: Zoom URL, etc. will be emailed before the gig.
Sat 14th May, 10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lit Balm
Lit Balm will feature readings from Indran Amirthanayagam, Kashiana Singh, Anita Nadal, and Sophia Naz. The event ends with an open mic. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 15th May, 8.30-11AM (UTC) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Poetry at Your Place feat. Najya Williams – event #58
Free poetry open mic event (Pay What You Can). Open mic featuring headliner U.S. poet, film-maker Najya Williams. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Mon 16th May, 10.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Word is Write: Cafe Generalissimo Open Mic
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Generalissimo Bryan Franco. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Mon 16th May, 11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oceanside Library Poetry Series: Near and Afar
(Happens in: New York, USA)
Free poetry event, plus open mic (one poem/3 haiku each). Hosted by Tony Iovino, with featured poet Josephine LoRe (Alberta). For access info, visit the Oceanside Library events page.
Mon 16th May, 10-11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poems in Speech
Free poetry session for people with aphasia (but anyone who loves poetry is welcome). Led by Mark Harder, who also has aphasia. Participants are encouraged to write a poem, read it out loud and tell the group about it. It is an opportunity to work on creativity and speech but you can read someone else’s poem or use a device to speak. For queries and access, email Mark: mark@poemsinspeech.com.
Tues 17th May, 7.30-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Flight of the Dragonfly Spoken Word
Free event for sharing poetry, flash fiction and prose. Special guests: Julie Stevens and Stuart McPherson. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 18th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Incite! feat. Ken Cumberlidge plus open mic
Free queer spoken word night, run by charity forum+ and hosted by performance poet Hannah Chutzpah. Headline poet: Roz Kaveney. For a link to attend/sign up for an open mic slot, email: info@forumplus.org.uk. For more info , visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 20th May, 7-9.30PM (UK time) – hybrid: in person/via Zoom
Distraction
£3 to attend. Distraction aims to be a safe space for listening to or performing any spoken word genre (poet, story-telling, comedy, the occasional song and more). For further details, visit the Facebook event page or book tickets via The Little Box Office website.
Mon 23rd May, 10-11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poems in Speech
Free poetry session for people with aphasia (but anyone who loves poetry is welcome). Led by Mark Harder, who also has aphasia. Participants are encouraged to write a poem, read it out loud and tell the group about it. It is an opportunity to work on creativity and speech but you can read someone else’s poem or use a device to speak. For queries and access, email Mark: mark@poemsinspeech.com.
Tues 24th May, 7.30PM (GMT) – hybrid: in person/via livestream
PASTA (Poets and Story-Tellers Assemble)
Virtual ticket: free. Open mic night from Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists. Theme for May is: ‘Retail’. Second half is sometimes themed, sometimes not. Sign up on the night, slots are approx. 5 mins long. Poets attending virtually can submit a video/audio piece/ written piece to be read out on the night. Email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com. You can join the PP&P Facebook group here. register for a ticket via the Ticketsolve page.
Wed 25th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Vogon Poetry Slam 2022
Pay As You Can/free event, hosted by the Dead Darlings Podcast crew. 12 slam places, 3 mins max, worst poet wins! Feature set from reigning Vogon Slam champ Tim Kiely. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 26th May, 7PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom
Over the Edge: Open Reading
Free poetry event. Poetry reading event featuring Caoihme May, Sinéad Mears & Morag Anderson – plus open mic. For more details and access link, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 26th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry Wigan: Write Out Load
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Ian Whiteley. To attend or sign up, email whiteley.ian@btinternet.com before 5PM on the day. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 26th May, 6-7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Ecopoetry Now: Spring 2022 Reading Series
Free poetry event, moderated by Poetry Daily editorial board member Brian Teare.Featuring three conversations about ecopoetry with writers from Canada, Mexico, and the US. For more details and access link, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 28th May, 6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Speak the Word: open mic night
Free poetry open mic event. 5-minute slots available. Captioning available. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sun 29th May, 7.30-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Open Mic
Monthly spoken word open mic event – poetry, story-telling, drama. Featuring Kathryn O’Driscoll. For more details and to register for tickets, visit the Eventbrite page.
EVENTS
Sun 1st May, 6.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book Launch: ‘How To Decode Your Orange-Peel Fortunes’ by Alice Wickenden
Ticket: £0-£2.50 Book launch event for Alice Wickenden’s new poetry pamphlet ‘How To Decode Your Orange-Peel Fortunes’, with readings from Suzannah Evans, Seanín Hughes & Richard O’Brien. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 2nd May, 7.30-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Panel: The Ecosystem of Literary Journals
Ticket: £0-£5.98. A conversation about the role of literary journals within the wider publishing industry between Dr Charley Barnes (Sabotage Reviews), Isabelle Kenyon (Fly on the Wall Press), Elizabeth Gibson (Foxglove Journal) and J.L. Corbett (Idle Ink). For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 4th May, 7PM (UK time) – via unknown
Carcanet Book Launch: ‘Book of Days’
Registration: £2 (redeemable later against cost of the book). Hosted by poet and editor Sarah Cave – a launch of ‘Book of Days’ by Phoebe Power. The event will feature readings, discussion and an audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 4th May, 8PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Meet the Poet – Spoz
Free poetry event hosted by Home Stage. Featuring a selection of readings focus on ideas of place, belonging and science, plus interviews with the two poets and discussions on their work. For more details or to register, visit the Home Stage event page.
Fri 6th May, 7-11PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom
Hammer & Tongue Cambridge Poetry Slam ft. Rick Dove and Kimberly Jae
Free event (donation). Eight slam poets will compete for a place in the Regional Final, plus performances from Rick Dove and Kimberly Jae. Hosted by Fay Roberts. Slammers are chosen at random from the sign-up list to perform – 3 mins. each, spoken word only (no music, no props). More details and register for tickets on the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 5th May, 6.30PM (UK time) – via unknown
In the Poet’s Chair with Jackie Kay and Roger Robinson
Ticket: £3. A poetry discussion event for Newcastle Poetry Festival 2022 – featuring Jackie Kay, one of Scotland’s most celebrated voices, in conversation about poetry with T.S. Eliot prize-winning poet, Roger Robinson. For more details or to register, visit the Newcastle Poetry Festival page.
Mon 9th May, 10-11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poems in Speech Live – with Thomas G. Broussard Jr., Ph.D.
Free event for people with aphasia – a presentation by Dr. Broussard, three-time stroke survivor and founder of non-profits Stroke Educator, Inc. and Aphasia Nation, Inc. For queries and access, email Mark: mark@poemsinspeech.com.
Mon 9th May, 7.30-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Saboteur Awards Festival 2022: Publishing panel and discussion
Ticket: £5. Join indie publishers Fly on the Wall, Broken Sleep and Fawn Press as they discuss their journeys into publishing, and answer your industry questions. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 10th May, 6.45-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Saboteur Awards Festival 2022: Kinara Collective
Ticket: £5. Join Kinara Collective for an evening of ecopoetry and inherited histories. Members of Kinara include Anita Pati, Gita Ralleigh, Rushika Wick, Sarala Estruch and poet and translator Shash Trevett. Featuring 5-minute readings, placed in a global context. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 10th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Music and Poetry with Candlestick Press
Free launch event for two new titles from Manchester Poetry Library and Candlestick Press – Ten Poems about Music: The Blue Album and Ten Poems about Music: The Yellow Album. With music plus guest readings by contributing poets. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 11th May, 7PM (UK time) – via unknown
Book Launch: ‘NeurodiVERSE’
Free Flapjack Press book launch event for new anthology ‘NeurodiVERSE’, featuring selected readings by neurodivergent poets including Janine Booth, Kate Fox, Rob Steventon, and Henry Normal. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 12th May, 6.45-8.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Saboteur Awards Festival 2022: Best of the West Midlands poetry showcase
Ticket: £5. West Midlands poets Casey Bailey, Liz Berry and Roz Goddard will showcase their poetry and discuss the writing life with audience members in a live Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 12th May, 5PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via livestream
Nottingham Poetry Festival Presents: Michael Rosen
Tickets: £8.80. Poetry show with Michael Rosen. For more details, visit the Nottingham Poetry Festival webpage.
Thurs 12th May, 7.45PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lime Square Poets featuring Morag Anderson
Free poetry open mic event. Featured headliner: Scottish poet Morag Anderson. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 13th May, 1-3PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Parola: Poets & Conversations
Ticket: £10. Poetry and panel discussion – part of Nottingham Poetry Festival. The panel will discuss how to ensure no poet gets left behind and how to bridge poetry events post-pandemic? For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 13th May, 6.45-8.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Saboteur Awards Festival 2022: ‘With a little help…’ Panel Discussion
Ticket: £5. Writers Rym Kechacha and Magda Knight will discuss the collaborative essentials in creativity. This event will combine presentations, reflections, recommended reading and audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 13th May, 7PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via livestream
Nottingham Poetry Festival Presents: Joelle Taylor
Tickets: £6.60. Poetry show with Joelle Taylor. For more details, visit the Nottingham Poetry Festival webpage.
Sat 14th May, 4PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Q’s blue world feat. ‘What if they laugh at me?’
Q’s Blue World, hosted by Kemlyn Tan Bappe, presents poet Clive Oseman’s one-man show ‘What if they laugh at me?’ with a 15-minute opening set by Nick Lovell. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 13th May, 7.90-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
What We Read Now: Mothers
Ticket: £0-£3. Poetry readings and discussion with Liz Berry, Sarala Estruch and Lucy Mercer. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 14th May, 4.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Annual Emily Dickinson Poetry Walk 2022
Free/Pay As You Feel virtual poetry walk event. To honour the 136th anniversary of her death, join the Emily Dickinson Museum for an engaging virtual poetry reading and “walk” through Amherst, the town Dickinson called “paradise.” For more details or to register, visit the Museum event page.
Sat 14th May, 7PM (UK time) – via YouTube
PoetryEast: Colm Toibin on ‘Poetry and Loss’
Maitreyabandhu in conversation with Colm Toibin about his first collection of poetry with Carcanet Press. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sat 14th May, 4-6.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Inspired Poetry Corner Recital with featured artist Kinfolk Nation
Free poetry show. Featured artist artist coalition Kinfolk Nation will perform and be interviewed, followed by performances from 12 invited poets and a discussion forum. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 15th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
International Dylan Thomas Day Double Book Launch
Double book launch event to celebrate Dylan Thomas Day. With readings from two new poetry books: ‘Nights Travel At The Right Speed’ (George Sandifer-Smith) and ‘Funeral for a Fish’ (Bailee Wilson).. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 15th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Two Poets Laureate: Delbos & Fallis
Poetry reading with Jeff Fallis (first poet laureate of Athens in Georgia, 2021-2023) and Stephan Delbos (first Poet Laureate of Plymouth, Massachusetts). For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 15th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Night Heron Barks: Dorianne Laux and Diane Seuss
Poetry reading with Dorianne Laux and Diane Seuss. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 15th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Cultivating Voices LIVE Poetry: Sunday Special with Slate Roof Press
Free poetry readings event. Managing Editor and poet Janet Mac Fadyen joins host Sandy Yannone, to showcase six Slate Roof Press poets. Register via Zoom. For details, visit the Facebook event page.
Mon 16th May, midnight (UK time) – via Zoom
W-E, Bicoastal Poets of the Pandemic and Beyond
Free poetry readings event. Featuring: poets Meg Kearney, Margo Taft Stever, Raul Sanchez and Elaine Sexton. Register via Zoom. For details, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 18th May, 8PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Meet the Poet – Otis Mensah
Free poetry event hosted by Home Stage. Featuring Hip-Hop artist, spoken word poet and Sheffield’s first Poet Laureate: Otis Mensah. For more details or to register, visit the Home Stage event page.
Thurs 19th May, 7.45PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lime Square Poets featuring John Liddy
Free poetry open mic event. Featured headliner: Scottish poet Morag Anderson. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Fri 20th May, 1-2PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Live Canon: Lunchtime Reading #32
Free poetry readings event. Featuring Fiona Larkin, Stav Poleg, JL Williams and Sarah Terkaoui. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 23rd May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Women’s Prize for Fiction: Virtual Shortlist Festival 2022
Ticket: £10 or 3-day pass for £25. Hosted by Kate Mosse – featuring shortlisted authors Elif Shafak and Ruth Ozeki, plus readings from well-known actors. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 24th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Women’s Prize for Fiction: Virtual Shortlist Festival 2022
Ticket: £10 or 3-day pass for £25. Hosted by Kate Mosse – featuring shortlisted authors Maggie Shipstead and Lisa Allen-Agostin, plus readings from well-known actors. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 25th May, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Women’s Prize for Fiction: Virtual Shortlist Festival 2022
Ticket: £10 or 3-day pass for £25. Hosted by Kate Mosse – featuring shortlisted authors Meg Mason and Louise Erdich, plus readings from well-known actors. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 26th May, 7.30-8.30PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Double Book Launch: Tom Sastry and Julia Webb
Pay As You Can launch event for two Nine Arches Press poetry collections. To celebrate the launch of Tom Sastry’s You have no normal country to return to and Julie Webb’s The Telling. With readings from Tom and Julie, plus guest poet Daniel Sluman. The event will be livestreamed via Nine Arches Press’ YouTube. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 26th May, 6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Ecopoetry Now: Spring 2022 Reading Series
Free ecopoetry discussion event. Poetry Daily editorial board member Brian Teare will moderate a conversation between writers from Canada, Mexico, and the USA. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 27th May, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book Launch: ‘Instructions for Outlaws’
Ticket: Pay as you feel (a copy of the book will be sent out for £12+). Book launch event for Ash Dickinson’s new poetry collection Instructions for Outlaws – readings plus a special Q&A with Burning Eye founder and publisher Clive Birnie. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 27th May, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Book launch: ‘The Bell Tower’
Free book launch event for poetry pamphlet The Bell Tower by Pamela Crowe, hosted by The Emma Press. Features reading by Pamela plus Q&A with The Emma Press editor Emma Dai’an Wright. Visit the Zoom registration page.
Mon 30th May, 8.30-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
2022 Hippocrates Poetry and Medicine Prize Readings and Awards
Free event to announce the winners in the 2022 Hippocrates Prize for Poetry and Medicine: Young Poet, Health Professional and Open awards. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 31st May, 7.30-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Broken Sleep Books: May Launch
Pay As You Feel event (min. £1 donation) to celebrate the launch of six poetry books. Featuring readings from Claire Trévien (Our Lady of Tyres), Marie Lando (Translator: Our Lady of Tyres), Niall Bourke (The Erection Specialist), Len Lukowski (The Bare Thing), Katy Wareham Morris (Violet Existence) and U. G. Vilagos (Collected Experimentalisms 2001-2004). For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
WORKSHOPS
Mon 2nd May, 10-11PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poems in Speech
Free poetry session for people with aphasia (but anyone who loves poetry is welcome). Led by Mark Harder, who also has aphasia. Participants are encouraged to write a poem, read it out loud and tell the group about it. It is an opportunity to work on creativity and speech but you can read someone else’s poem or use a device to speak. For queries and access, email Mark: mark@poemsinspeech.com.
Sat 7th May, 6-7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Speak the Word: poetry and spoken word writing workshop
Free workshop led by poets PJ Samuels and nudi. Participants will engage in freewrite and prompted writing activities. All levels of experience welcome. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sun 8th May, 2-4PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Yes, We Cant: workshop with Fay Roberts
£10 (free places available). Poetry workshop with poet/publishers/Yes We Can headliner Fay Roberts. To request to attend or more details: email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com.
Fri 6th May, 11AM-1PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Arvon At Home Masterclass: ‘The Building Blocks of Memoir’
£35/£17.50 concession. Tutor and author Kerry Hudson will will cover how to use character building, setting and dialogue to create compelling non-fiction. For more details or to register, visit the Arvon event page.
Tues 10th May, 7-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Arvon At Home Masterclass: ‘The Craft of Collaboration’
£35/£17.50 concession. Tutors and poets Helen Mort and Katrina Naomi will discuss how and why participants might want to try collaborating with another poet, offering tips and insights and setting writing prompts. For more details or to register, visit the Arvon event page.
Wed 11th May, 7-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Saboteur Awards Festival 2022: Writing for Wellbeing workshop
Ticket: £5. Workshop led by Christina Wilson, exploring accessibility, inclusivity, compassion and community, and how creative writing aids in these areas. Participants will be invited to write from a series of writing prompts, including poetry and images, exploring connection and how people can feel welcome into a writing/festival space. (Please note: this workshop is part of Christina’s doctoral research and requires a consent form.) For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 14th May, 11AM-1PM (UK time) – hybrid: in-person/via Zoom
The Poetic Form Masterclass with Joshua Judson
Ticket: £5. This Nottingham Poetry Festival workshop, led by Joshua Judson, will explore what it means to work with form, and how it can strengthen creative writing. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 14th May, 6-7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Speak the Word: peer review workshop
Free led by Speak the Word. Participants should bring a typed-up poem and a specific request for feedback, and will then support each other in improving their craft. All levels of experience welcome. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 15th May, 4-6PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Performing Poetry on Zoom
Free Poetry Academy session about poetry performance, led by Chancellor of the Poetry Academy Mark Fishbein. Features a short lecture followed by group discussion. Participants will perform and receive comments from a panel of experts, for all attendees to consider. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 21st May, 6-7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Speak the Word: poetry and spoken word writing workshop
Free workshop led by poets PJ Samuels and nudi. Participants will engage in freewrite and prompted writing activities. All levels of experience welcome. For more info and to register, visit the Eventbrite page.