Seren Events
The latest news on Seren’s books, authors, events and prizes.
SOLD OUT!!! The Glass Aisle is a mesmerising collaboration of songs and poetry by singer-songwriter Brian Briggs – former frontman of indie-folk band Stornoway – and award-winning Welsh poet Paul Henry. Set on the Monmouthshire-Brecon canal, Brian’s pure tenor voice and Paul’s lyrics transport the listener deep into a frozen landscape on the cusp of spring. It is a piece filled with presences, including poacher-fisherman John Moonlight, inventor and engineer Marconi – who conducted his experiments for radio on the canal – and an old union workhouse, now converted into houses. The Glass Aisle ...
Octavo's welcomes you to the Sunday Sessions - music and poetry every other Sunday. This week featuring Elizabeth Parker, a talented young poet, whose first full collection of poems In Her Shambles was published by Seren in April 2018. For further information visit: www.octavobooks.co.uk
Over the past year, the painter Matthew Wood has produced an extraordinary series of images of the old churches of mid-Wales in response to the book Wales’ Best One Hundred Churches (Seren 2007) by T.J.Hughes. The exhbition, A Sense of Place, is a painterly depiction of this inspiring and evocative subject. Focusing on the Mid Wales section of the book, Matthew Wood has produced each painting on location and in one sitting. His work makes a powerful addition to the long history of aesthetic and spiritual responses to the land and culture of Wales – responses of which the churches themselves...
Join Rhian Edwards and her fellow Seren poet, Costa Prize winning Jonathan Edwards, at Between the Trees, a unique festival in South Wales with a brilliant mix of live music, art, science and nature in the middle of the woods! Rhian is a multi-award winning poet. Her first collection of poems Clueless Dogs (Seren) won Wales Book of the Year 2013, the Roland Mathias Prize for Poetry 2013 and Wales Book of the Year People’s Choice 2013. It was also shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection 2012. Jonathan has also won numerous awards for his poetry and his debut collection, My...
Judy Brown will be holding one hour Poetry Surgeries at the Poetry Cafe. Judy's first poetry collection, Loudness, was published by Seren in 2011 and was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best first Collection and the Fenton Aldeburgh Prize.. Her most recent collection, Crowd Sensations (Seren 2016), was shortlisted for the Ledbury Forte Second Collection Prize. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your poetry on a one-to-one basis Judy, a relaxed but in-depth analysis of your poems. Identify strategies for further developing your writing, discuss problems you may be experiencing...
Poetry Tutored Retreat with Jen Hadfield, William Letford and guest Katrina Naomi, whose second full collection, The Way the Crocodile Taught Me, was published by Seren in 2016. Whether you consider yourself a beginner, or an experienced writer, Jen and Billy will be on hand to explore your poetry, offer support, motivation, and detailed advice through one-to-one tutorials. The rest of the week is yours – let Moniack Mhor’s inspiring landscape and homely atmosphere nourish your practice – whether you need time to focus, wander, read, dream. . . All poets with a work in progress are welcome....
Kendal Library host a reading from two Cumbrian poets, Polly Atkin and Kate Davis. Polly’s collection Basic Nest Architecture (Seren, 2017) weaves together poems which explore both the natural landscape and the landscape of the body and the impact of illness. Kate’s first collection The Girl Who Forgot How To Walk will be published by Penned In The Margins in 2018. It tells the story of a small child who falls into the sea and explores disability across a shifting landscape. Free entry, maximum numbers 30. Booking ahead advised. For further information and to book visit the Festival website...
Poems at The Park Hotel, A brief literary history of one of Cardiff’s major landmarks with poet, author and critic Peter Finch. Peter is author of the hugely popular Real Cardiff books, published by Seren and series editor for the 'Real' series. In his new book Real Cardiff The Flourishing City (Seren 2018), Peter tracks some of the creative outrages perpetrated in the name of literature at this 150-year old institution. We’ll also hear a little about how, in an age of wind-power, the world’s greatest coal port has boomed again. Cardiff – as much a destination now as it is a place to live...
The Friday night Festival fixture showcases some of Wales’ most exciting and engrossing poets. Expect words of wonder from Elizabeth Parker, Claire Williamson, Ross Cogan, Rhian Elizabeth, Mari Ellis Dunning and Rhys Owain Williams. Three of tonight's poets have had collections published by Seren this year: Elizabeth Parker's first full collection of poems, In Her Shambles, a notable debut from a talented young author; Claire Williamson's inventive and intensely felt collection, Visiting the Minotaur and Ross Cogan's startling new collection, Bragr. Rhian Elizabeth's debut novel Six Pounds...
Main Reading with Judy Brown and Kayo Chingonyi. Judy Brown was a popular Poet-in-Residence at The Wordsworth Trust in 2013 and makes a welcome return to Cumbria. Her most recent collection Crowd Sensations (Seren, 2016) is a highly original exploration of both city and rural landscape. Kayo Chingonyi’s debut collection Kumukanda (Chatto, 2017) is a compelling examination of identity and masculinity and the influence of grime music. Kayo is well-known for the energy and dynamism of his performances. Dove Cottage Young Poets Sophie Hansen and Em Humble will also be performing during this...