Listing for October 2021: Online Literary Events
*Cue spooky music* October is here! Sadly, the pandemic is still here as well, but life in the UK has taken more steps closer to resembling normality, with various Covid-19 restrictions lifted. Organisers are juggling various challenges to ensure art events can resume safely – more gigs are returning to their venues (at full/reduced capacity) while others have opted to stay virtual for a bit longer. However, plenty of people remain cautious about venturing out to attend gigs, especially those who are vulnerable.
So, if you’ll be staying at home for a while longer, here is the good news: plenty of creative communities across the UK, and all around the globe, CONTINUE to plug the void in our lives with 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. Why not see this as an opportunity to “travel” far and wide to attend events overseas, while they’re still easily accessible?
OPEN MICS
Sun 3rd Oct, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Yes, We Cant
(Happens in: Walsall, UK)
Free monthly virtual open mic event – Pay What You Can. Headliner Heather Wastie and ‘Alf Ender Shaun Hand. 10 open mic slots. To request a space in the Zoom: email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com. For more details, visit the Poets, Prattlers & Pandemonialists Facebook page.
Sun 3rd Oct, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Like a Blot From the Blue #20
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Fin Hall. Slots are 5 minutes each. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 5th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – in-person/via Zoom
October Hybrid: York Spoken Word
(Based in: York, UK)
An open mic event for poets and story-tellers. Slots are 4 mins each. Some poets will read in the venue, others on Zoom. For more details, visit the Facebook group page.
Tues 5th Oct, 7-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Spoken World Online, with poets Susie Reynolds & Robert Cole…
(Based in: Paris, France)
An open mic event for writers, singers, comedians, performers of various types. Theme: ‘Curiouser & Curiouser’. Special guests: poets/writers Susie Reynolds and Robert Cole. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 6th Oct, 7-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Poetry Bubble
Free poetry open mic event for adults, hosted by Worcestershire Libraries. 5-minute slots for sharing your creative work in a supportive environment. For more details and to register for tickets, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 6th Oct 7-9PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Crafty Crows ~ Online Poetry, Sophie Sparham & Ben Poppy
(Usually happens in: Gloucestershire, UK)
Free event. The Gloucestershire Poetry Society presents this regular poetry night, hosted by Josephine Lay. Featuring Sophie Sparham, Ben Poppy and poetry open mic. For more details or to register, visit the Helm ticket page.
Wed 6th Oct, 9.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Colm Scully’s Poetry Film Workshop #2
Free DeBarra’s Spoken Word workshop/poetry open mic, led by Cork poet Colm Scully. This is the second session, featuring ‘poetry video guests’ Stan Notte, Sue Blue, Mags Creedon, Conor McManus, Catherine and Isabel Ronan, and Mich Maroney. Details of event and access can be found on the DeBarra’s Facebook event page.
Thurs 7th Oct, 7-9.30PM (UK time) – in-person/via Zoom
WORD Stafford Celebrates National Poetry Day 2021
Free poetry open mic event. If you would like to attend via Zoom, email wordstafford@gmail.com to request the Zoom link. The theme is ‘choice’. For more details or to register, visit the WORD Stafford Facebook page.
Thurs 7th Oct, 2.15AM (UK time) – via Zoom
The Word is Write Poetry Night with Nick P.
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Nick Paleologos. 30 open mic slots – one piece per performer, approx. 4 mins each. Comedy and music also welcome. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 7th Oct, 7.30PM (UK time) – in-person/via Zoom
WORD Stafford Celebrates National Poetry Day
Free poetry open mic event. Headliner: the New Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate 2021-22, with open mic slots. Theme: ‘choice’. A small audience will attend in person, while others can attend via Zoom. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Mon 11th Oct, 8.30PM (Irish Standard Time) – in-person/via Zoom/Facebook Live/Vimeo/YouTube
Ó Bhéal: Hybrid event #1
(Usually happens in: Cork, Ireland)
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by Paul Casey. Ó Bhéal presents a hybrid event with Neil McCarthy and Dean Browne. Features live poetry prompt challenge, anthology launch with guest readers and open mic. More info and details of how to access the gig are on the Ó Bhéal website.
Tues 12th Oct, 7-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Spoken World Online, with D.A. “Roarshock”…
(Based in: Paris, France)
An open mic event for writers, singers, comedians, performers of various types. Special guest: poet D.A. “Roarshock”. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 13th Oct, 7-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom webinar
An Evening with Roy McFarlane
£5 (five free tickets available). P For more details, visit the Wordsworth Grasmere webpage.
Thurs 14th Oct, 7.15-10.15PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Fire & Dust Digital – Poets Zoom Around the World Meets: Beth Hartley.
(Usually happens in: Coventry, UK)
Free monthly event – Pay As You Feel. Poetry open mic slots, plus a special headline guest. Hosted by Ann Atkins. To attend, grab an Eventbrite ticket (free). Details re: Zoom URL and how to sign up for open mic will be emailed.
Sun 17th Oct, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Poets Focus: WINGS, a themed Open Mic
Poets will share original poetry or work by a poet they admire, related to the theme of “WINGS.” For more details about access and sign-up, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 19th Oct, 7.30PM (GMT) – in-person at Arena Theatre/via livestream
PASTA: Poets And Story Tellers Assemble
(Happens at: Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton)
Tickets are free, donations welcome. Monthly poetry open mic night from Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists – now a hybrid event! The first half is for a theme picked at random from audience suggestions at the previous month’s event. Theme for September is ‘new partners’. Second half, anything goes. To book a slot, turn up on the night and speak to the hosts. They might be able to accept a few poems from poets joining online as text or YouTube/SoundCloud links – email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com. You can join the PP&P Facebook group here. To register for a ticket, visit the Ticketsolve webpage.
Tues 19th Oct, 6.30-8PM (UK time) – via Zoom
TWOOMPH! Open Mic
Free monthly event. A space for writers to share their poems, flash fiction, monologues, short story or novel extracts, hosted by the Tees Women Poets in association with Stockton-on-Tees Libraries. Featuring: British Bangladeshi, Newcastle based spoken word poet Tahmina Ali. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 19th Oct, 7.30PM (GMT) – via Zoom
Poetry at Jurnets
(Normally happens in: Norwich, UK)
Free monthly poetry open mic night. Zoom “doors” open at 7:30 for an 8pm start. The open mic has a theme (October: “FALLING”), but it’s not mandatory, other poetry welcome. For Zoom access/open mic sign-up details, visit the Poetry at Jurnets website and use the onscreen email link to contact organiser Hilary Stanton.
Wed 20th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Fen Speak ft. Beth Hartley and Stewart Carswell
Free event. Beth Hartley and Stewart Carswell will read from their recently published books, plus spoken word open mic for poems and stories. For more details about access and sign-up, visit the Eventbrite page.
Thurs 21st Oct, 7.45PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lime Square Poets featuring: Cáit O’Neill Mccullagh
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by D’or Seifer. Headline poet: Cáit O’Neill Mccullagh, plus open mic and announcements. For details and access info, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 21st Oct, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lit Up
Tickets: £5. Poetry open mic event. Featuring headliners David Braziel and Stephen Sexton. Performers are encouraged to read a mix of their own work with poems by poets they love and are inspired by. Open Mic limited slots, please email mkewilsonartist@gmail.com. For more details and to register for tickets on the Eventbrite page.
Tues 26th Oct, 7.30-10PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Flight of the Dragonfly Spoken Word
Free event for sharing poetry, flash fiction and prose. Special guests: Estelle Price and Oak Ayling. For more details, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 27th Oct, 8PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Meet the Poet – Milla van der Have
Free poetry event hosted by Home Stage – Netherlands installment. Featuring a selection of readings, plus interviews with the poet and discussions on her work. For more details or to register, visit the Home Stage event page.
Thurs 28th Oct, 7.45PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Lime Square Poets featuring: Seán Lysaght
Free poetry open mic event, hosted by D’or Seifer. Headline poet: Seán Lysaght, plus open mic and announcements. For details and access info, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 31st Oct, 6.30-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Open Mic
Monthly spoken word open mic event – poetry, story-telling, drama. More details and register for tickets on the Eventbrite page.
EVENTS
Fri 1st Oct, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Oooh Beehive UK online slam championship – October heat
Pay As You Feel/Can Afford poetry slam event. Fifteen poets will compete in 3 rounds for the prize of £75 and a place in the 2021 Grand Final. Hosted by Clive Oseman and Nick Lovell. To attend as audience, send a request to be added to the mailing list: email ooohbeehive@btinternet.com. For more details, visit the Facebook event page.
Sat 2nd-Sat 30th Oct – via Zoom
Gloucester Poetry Festival 2021
Free ticketed events. An online series of festival events, organised by Gloucestershire Poetry Laureate Z.D. Dicks. For more programme details or to register, visit the Gloucester Poetry Festival website.
Sun 3rd Oct, 7-8.30PM (UK time) – via unknown
Launch of ‘Waldeinsamkeit’ by Liam Porter
Free Nine Pens Press book launch event A virtual launch of Liam Porter’s debut poetry pamphlet ‘Waldeinsamkeit’, with readings from special guest poets Naoise Gale, Callan Waldron-Hall and Laura Jane Round. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sun 3rd Oct, 4-5.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Live from The Butchery Presents…Jacqueline Saphra, Matthew Howard and Desree
Pay As You Can event (Ink, Sweat & Tears) with live poetry performances from Jacqueline Saphra, Matthew Howard and Desree. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 3rd Oct, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Cultivating Voices LIVE Poetry Sunday Special: LOST HORSE PRESS
Free event (Ink, Sweat & Tears) celebrating and showcasing Lost Horse Press’ newest titles with Publisher Christine Lysnewycz Holbert. The poets and translators featured will be: Kathryn Hunt, Ali Kinsella, Svetlana Lovochkina, Dzvinia Orlowsky, Carolyne Wright and Lyuba Yakimchuk. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 5th Oct, 6-7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Bright Poems for Dark Days: Book Launch
Free poetry book launch event, hosted by Quarto Publishing and The Poetry Pharmacy. A virtual celebration of ‘Bright Poems for Dark Days’, an illustrated anthology of uplifting poetry by bibliotherapist, Dr Julie Sutherland. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Wed 6th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Safety in Numbers: An evening with Roger McGough and Jonny Fluffypunk
Tickets: £7. Roger McGough is visiting The Hive in Worcester to read from his latest collection, supported by stand-up poet Jonny Fluffypunk and followed by a Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the The Hive webpage.
Wed 6th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Carcanet Book Launch: Poems and Satires by Edna St Vincent Millay, edited by Tristram Fane Saunders
Free event. A launch of ‘Poems and Satires’ by Edna St Vincent Millay, edited by Tristram Fane Saunders. Hosted by Abigail Parry. The event will feature readings, discussion and an audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Thurs 7th Oct, 7.30PM (UK time) – via YouTube livestream
Planetary Poetics for National Poetry Day
Free poetry event. Poets Khairani Barokka, Cynthia Miller and Caleb Parkin will explore ecopoetry and different approaches to environmental and nature poetry, writing the natural world and our relationship to it. Featuring readings and discussion, hosted by Gregory Leadbetter. To watch, visit the Nine Arches Press YouTube channel.
Sat 9th Oct, 3-4PM (UK time) – watch on demand
Poetry Book Society Showcase
Tickets: £5 (or £20 for digital festival pass). Part of Durham Book Festival. This event will showcase the work of three transnational poets: Kazim Ali, Hannah Lowe and Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe. For more details or to book a ticket, visit the festival webpage.
Sun 10th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Culture Matters Presents: Online Reading Series #2
Free event – first in a series where publisher Culture Matters will team up with a fellow indie press to showcase four poets. With special guests Chris Searle and Catherine Graham (Culture Matters) and Anna Robinson and Alan Morrison (Smokestack Books). These events aim to build solidarity between small presses and emerging artists. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Sun 10th Oct, 8PM (UK time) – via Zoom/Facebook Live
Cultivating Voices: New Books Showcase
Free event – a weekly poetry reading. Featuring Jessamine O’Connor, Hugh McMillan, Neil Young, Eithne Hand. For more details and access, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 13th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Carcanet Book Launch: Virga by Togara Muzanenhamo
Free event. A launch of ‘Virga’ by Togara Muzanenhamo. Hosted by poet and academic Tsitsi Jaji. The event will feature readings, discussion and an audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 13th Oct, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
‘HOME & AWAY: Premier League Spoken Word’
Pay As You Feel event. Featuring poetry from the Black Country (Emma Purshouse, Steve Pottinger, Dave Pitt & 3 other poets) plus Ann Atkins, Anne Babs and George Bastow vs. poetry from Wales (Dominic Williams, Mark Lyndon and Lottie Williams). For access, email poetsprattlerspandemonialists@gmail.com.
Fri 15th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – in-person/via livestream
Kim Moore: Launch of ‘All The Men I Never Married’
Free poetry book launch event, hosted by Seren Books. It will feature readings by Kim Moore and guest readings from Jennifer Copley, Clare Shaw and David Tait. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 16th Oct, 2PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Hedgehog Poetry Picnic
Free poetry showcase even – part of Gloucester Poetry Festival. For more details or access to the Zoom registration, visit the event webpage.
Mon 18th Oct, 00:00 (UK time) – via radio
Ketchupedia Poetry Radio
Free – radio show, featuring a live interview with Ohio Beat Poet Laureate John Burroughs with Polly Alice McCann and Richard Parrilla. To listen, visit the One Kansas City Radio webpage.
Mon 18th Oct, 7-8PM (UK time) – via unknown
The Top Secret Poetry Notebook of Willis the Poet
Free ArtsFest Online event, celebrating the debut collection of poet, Rick Sanders (AKA Willis the Poet). Dr R. M. Francis, Lecturer in Creative and Professional Writing will interview Rick about poetry, poetics, comedy and performance. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 18th Oct, 7PM (EST) – via Zoom
Oceanside Library Poetry Series: Near and Afar
(Happens in: New York, USA)
Every Monday, hosted by Tony Iovino. Featured poets/authors: Louisa Calio (Jamaican poet) and Maria Famà (Pennsylvanian poet). For access info, visit the Facebook event page.
Tues 19th Oct, 6.30-7.30PM (UK time) – via unknown
Black History Year: George The Poet
Free University of Westminster poetry event for Black History Month. Featuring special guest: George The Poet. Spoken word performances, discussion and audience questions. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Fri 22nd Oct, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Dream Well Writing & Poetry Book Launch: Melissa Briers
Free event. Join Dream Well Writing & Poetry and Melissa Briers for the launch of her debut poetry collection ‘Just Relax’, written in commemoration of Melissa’s late partner Bevin. The event will feature guest poets and a talk from Umoya Khulula Wildlife Centre (where all proceeds from book sales will be donated). To attend, please contact dreamwellwriting@gmail.com.
Fri 22nd Oct, 1-2PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Live Canon Lunchtime Reading Series Number 25
Free event – lunchtime readings from Tim Relf, Sharon Black, Emma Simon and Brian Docherty. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 25th Oct, 7.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
GPF 2021 – Poets for the Planet
Free ticketed event – part of Gloucester Poetry Festival. This event will include visuals, specially commissioned music, a tea break (bring your own biscuits!) and a Q&A. Featured poets: Gita Ralleigh, Dom Bury, Helen Bowell, Anja König, Susie Campbell, Shareen K. Murayama, Ethan Saphra, Jacqueline Saphra, Tanatsei Gambura and Henny Beaumont. For more details or to register, visit the GPF event page.
Wed 27th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Carcanet Book Launch: 100 Days by Gabriel Josipovici
Free event. Hosted by critic and writer Marina Warner. A launch of ‘100 Days’ by Gabriel Josipovici. The event will feature readings, discussion and an audience Q&A. For more details or to register, visit the Facebook event page.
Wed 27th Oct, 7PM (UK time) – in-person/via livestream
New Poetry: A Celebration
Tickets: £5. A set of live readings from five Faber poets: Paul Muldoon, Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Emily Berry, Maurice Riordan and Jack Underwood. The poets will read from their current/forthcoming collections. For more details or to register, visit the Faber event page.
Thurs 28th Oct, 6PM (UK time) – via unknown
Word Online presents Jessica Gaitán Johannesson and Yin Lim
Free ticketed event. Word Online presents novelist Jessica Gaitán Johannesson and memoirist Yin Lim in conversation, hosted by Arts University Bournemouth Library. For more details or to register, visit the Word Online event page.
Sun 31st Oct, 6.30-7.30PM (UK time) – via YouTube
Nine Arches Press Launch: Caleb Parkin’s ‘This Fruiting Body’
Free event to celebrate the launch of poetry collection This Fruiting Body by Caleb Parkin, with guest poets John McCullough, Zakiya McKenzie and Holly Singlehurst. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
WORKSHOPS
Positive Images Festival Poetry workshop: every last Sunday of the month – via YouTube
Workshop leader: Emilie Lauren Jones. Explore words from around the globe and have a go at writing your own poems. Check out Emilie’s YouTube channel for workshop videos.
Sat 2nd Oct, 10AM-12PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Online Workshop: Writing a Memoir
Price: £30. Workshop led by novelist Charlie Hill. The session will involve discussion about memory and fiction, writing exercises, tips on how to gather together your memories into longer-form prose, insight about the current market for memoir and the practicalities of life-writing. All levels of experience welcome. For more details or to register, visit the Birmingham Literature Festival webpage.
Sat 2nd Oct, 2-4PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Online Workshop: Writing for Children
Price: £30. Workshop led by children’s author Maisie Chan. During the session you will learn about different age groups, markets and genres within children’s publishing. Participants will work through a series of fun creative writing exercises to examine character, setting and structure in a children’s story. All levels of experience welcome. For more details or to register, visit the Birmingham Literature Festival webpage.
Sun 10th Oct 2-5PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Write-In/ Workshop
(Normally happens in: Cambridge, UK)
Writing workshop/discussion group for poets and story-tellers. For more information, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sat 16th Oct, 10AM-12PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Online Workshop: Historical Fiction
Price: £30. Workshop led by novelist Carolyn Kirby. Participants will explore techniques that can help you place yourself inside the world of your characters, through a mix of presentation, discussion and writing exercises. The session will provide pointers to the successful translation of imagined scenes into the language of fiction, and show how research can be a stimulus to creating stories with a historical setting, using visual sources from the past as well as writing extracts. All levels of experience welcome. For more details or to register, visit the Birmingham Literature Festival webpage.
Sat 16th Oct, 2-4PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Online Workshop: Poetry and Performance
Price: £30. Workshop led by poet, performer and educator Casey Bailey. The session will focus on how to approach reading and performing your poetry to an audience, by playing with tempo, volume, emotion and intonation. Participants should bring a poem that they want to work on. All levels of poetry experience welcome. For more details or to register, visit the Birmingham Literature Festival webpage.
Sun 17th Oct 2-5PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Write-In/ Workshop
(Normally happens in: Cambridge, UK)
Writing workshop/discussion group for poets and story-tellers. For more information, visit the Eventbrite page.
Mon 18th and Mon 25th Oct, 7-8.30PM (UK time) – via Zoom
2-session Writer Training: Public Funding for Creative Writers
Price: £45. Numbers limited to 8 participants. Workshop led by Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive of Writing West Midlands, where his work includes assessing applications for writing opportunities. The session will focus on what types of writing projects might attract public and private funding and how to make a good ACE application (Lottery Project Grants /DYCP schemes). For more details or to register, visit the Writing West Midlands webpage.
Sun 24th Oct 2-5PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Write-In/ Workshop
(Normally happens in: Cambridge, UK)
Writing workshop/discussion group for poets and story-tellers. For more information, visit the Eventbrite page.
Tues 26th Oct-Tues 9th Nov – via unknown
Wolves and Apples 2021
Tickets: £5.38 – £22.15 (full conference pass: £20). A conference event for aspiring children’s writers to get practical guidance from established professionals. Includes talks by Michael Rose, Melvin Burgess and Bali Rai. For more details or to register, visit the Eventbrite page.
Sun 31st Oct 2-5PM (UK time) – via Zoom
Allographic Virtual Write-In/ Workshop
(Normally happens in: Cambridge, UK)
Writing workshop/discussion group for poets and story-tellers. For more information, visit the Eventbrite page.