Guest Post: Norman Hadley

Today's post is a guest piece from Garstang-based poet and author Norman Hadley. The PrestonWN regulars amongst you will know Norman as one of our star performers at Word Soup # 4. This post was first published on The Lunacy Review.

Were you read to as a child? Magic, wasn’t it? And on the rare occasion when you have the opportunity to recreate that sublime enchantment, you take it, don’t you? Whether it be an audio book in the car or a sneaky listen as a nephew or niece is escorted off to bed.

Dominic Kelly is a professional. Storyteller, that is. He has a business card that says “Storyteller” to prove it. On a sunny afternoon in August he gave a master class in the art in the gardens of Samlesbury Hall. Fear not if that is outside your parish as his home port is Yealand Redmayne near Carnforth.

Lavishly sideburned, waistcoated and wielding a pewter tankard, he looked fit to shoulder centuries of bardic tradition, although he confessed the tankard was charged with nothing more exotic than Adam’s ale. Reciting long tales from memory, he soon whisked his audience off into worlds where all princes were noble, all maidens had long tumbling tresses and vengeful giants marauded the midge-infested marshes. But these tales had levels of complexity, recursions and twists that could satisfy the older members of the audience. For two hour-long stints, he held tot and codger alike spellbound with his consummate pacing, phrasing and inflection.

Here was a man utterly in command of his craft. Each tale was preceded by an eccentric call-and-response routine whereby he would shout “socks” and the audience would bellow ” boots”. This was the vital contract between narrator and listener – the granting of access to monkey around in your mind. He could handle deft shifts of mood from humour to pathos to deadly drama. Agile on his feet, pacing from side to side like a weasel bewitching a rabbit, he stopped the clocks and invited us to soar on ravens’ backs over crumpled rugs of hills.

And I say “boots.”

Dominic does festivals, school readings. Check out his site

Getting Started With Your Novel

The next in the series of the Preston Writing Network's summer creative writing courses is Getting Started with Your Novel - a day-long workshop held at the New Continental, Broadgate. The course starts at 10am on August 22nd and finishes at 4pm: there'll be an hour for lunch and morning refreshments will be provided.

Have an idea but not sure if it’s got legs? Written the first page, first chapter, or first half and not sure where to go next? Having trouble deciding if your idea is for a novel, a story, or something else? Writing is a lonely business. Perhaps you want to develop a plan for an extended piece of work, or talk to others about how to create your own writing discipline. A reflective day with discussion, practical exercises and tips. Some writing experience needed, but enthusiasm and an idea for a novel (however vague) is essential. £35 per person. 20 people maximum.

To book, call Robyn on 01772 499207 or email robyn@newcontinental.net. For more details on the Creative Writing Summer School, click here.

Extra! Free stuff!

Here's value for money... two free appearances from recent Word Soup performers to get you through the day.

If you were daft enough to miss the very wonderful Word Soup # 4, then you must go here and read one of the performed pieces from satirist, blogger and PrestonWN volunteer Richard Hirst: a very special extract from Nick Griffin's Diary.

And to see Norman Hadley, poet, mathematician, engine builder and another of our Word Soup #4 performers read some more of his work, in person, on your very own computer screen, click here.

And don't say we never give you nothing.

Word Soup 4

Word Soup is Preston’s live lit night and this month’s was bigger than ever. Not only was it part of Preston Tringe Festival and recorded for Preston FM and Diversity FM, but it had the biggest turn out so far.

If you weren’t able to make it, here’s what you missed...

The night kicked off with Sally Murray, a musician from Manchester, who wowed the crowd with her beautiful voice and chilled out songs. And when there was a sound issue, she proved to be that rarest of things- a muso with a sense of humour.

First reader of the night was Richard Hulse, a teetotal short fiction writer, who started the evening’s tenuous connections to the booze theme. His funny and original short story charted a man’s brand new relationship, jealousy and break up in the minutes it takes him, and his new girlfriend, to fall to their deaths from a plane crash.

Next was Simon Baker, a teacher and compere of Lancaster Spotlight Club, who read a gritty and angry piece about life in a small town and a night out from hell. His odious protagonist eventually met his match in an equally small town bouncer.

Tim Woodall, a fiction and non fiction writer who claims he writes self obsessed stories around exactly the same themes (his words not mine), read a piece called booze. It featured a journalist with alcoholic tendencies walking through Soho.After the break, Jenn Ashworth, compère extraordinaire in shiny shiny shoes, introduced the second half of the night and the return of the three minute open mic slots.

The brave open mic slot readers were:
* Max Henry, who read Win Them and Wear. He blogs at Tell Me Again About Typhoon Patsy.
* Chris Billington, who read her poetry based on Greek myths and cider. She is an active member of Preston Poets.
* Cynthia Kitchen, who read three poems based on booze and a recovering alcoholic.

* Peter Crompton, read poetry on the theme of booze and violence. Stood out for being a passionate and stand out performer and writes here.
* Terry Quinn, who read his piece, The Asylum seeker. He also works for Preston FM and blogs at Broadgate Is Great.

Mollie Baxter couldn’t make the event but Norman Hadley from Garstang read in her place. He read Poets Anonymous from his third collection, Perspectives. He also read a poem about diving through a sunken village which he read entirely from memory. This really impressed and marked him out as one of the evening's most engaging performers.

Richard Hirst, author of previous Word Soup success, Dear Millipede, and blog I thought I told you to wait in the car provided free postcard artwork for the event and read a piece about the leader of the BNP being captured by slug moles and having to live underground digging tunnels. It was every bit as surreal as it sounds, as funny as his last outing and I’m sure will not be his last.

The final performer of the night was star guest, Nicholas Royle, writer, critic, and blogger who read from his upcoming novel. The first section dealt with airline conspiracy stories and whether the brace position actually works. The second section twisted to become a post modern discussion of the the first in a Manchester Lit Event.

Let us know if you were at Word Soup on Tuesday in the comments box below and what you thought of it.

There is no Word Soup next month because it is the holidays, however it will be back in September. If you are interested in performing in one of the three minute open mic slots email prestonwritingnetwork@gmail.com

All photos have been supplied by James Brunton, 23rd Parallel

This blog was written by Mel who blogs at What do you do in Preston.

Helena Pielichaty to visit Preston

Helena Pielichaty is the author of over twenty-five books for children, including the award-winning Simone series and the best selling Clubbing Together. On wednesday 5th August, between 2 - 3pm Helena will be at the National Football Museum to talk about her exciting new series, Girls FC.

Based around the Parrs U11s, Girls FC explores the world of girls' football in a twelve-book series that is aimed at 8-11 year olds. The series is released on the 3rd August with the first four books. Here's what Helena had to say about the series on her website:

Based around an U11s girls’ football team, the Parrs, the
series is a mix of my usual reality-bites-but-with-laughs story-lines. It kicks off with 9 year old football mad Megan Fawcett. All she wants is to get five minutes on the pitch for her school team but Mr Glasshouse, headmaster and coach, believes only the Y5s and Y6s should play in the first team. He barely notices her, even when she wears fairy wings and a tiara to training. So, after a chance meeting with Hannah Preston from the senior women’s squad, Megan starts her own team. A team just for girls; some from school, some from after school club and one from Lornton FC’s ground caught nicking stuff from the changing rooms!

As well as participating in the launch and having the chance to meet and talk
to the author, you'll be able to have a tour of the museum, watch a female
football freestyler in action and take part in the 'Goal-Striker' penalty
shoot-out. Helena will be signing books and you can find out more about her and
her writing life here.

The National Football Museum is on Sir Tom Finney Way, Preston and this looks to be a great afternoon out for younger PrestonWNers or their children! Places
are limited - to secure a place please email eve.warlow@walker.co.uk

How can we support the arts in Preston?

Fresh from Ed Walker at BlogPreston:

**register by 5pm today here**

The second Preston Tweetup is set to be held on Monday 27th July 2009 at the New Continental in their ‘Snug’ area. The event is part of Preston Tringe.

A tweetup is where people come together, bring along their wi-fi enabled laptop and/or mobile phone and meet other people. People also twitter during the course of the night, so even if you can’t make it you can see what’s happening and contribute, by following #prestontweetup.

At Preston Tweetup we’re going to be discussing ‘How can we support the arts in Preston?’

With the Preston Tringe festival hopefully in full flow, the Tweetup is a chance to discuss how we build on the great work already being done in the city and help music, comedy, theatre, art and everything else that comes under 'arts' to flourish in our city.

Wi-fi access will be provided free of charge.

The plan for the night is to start around 8 PM, allow half an hour for drinking and making the wireless access work. At 8.30 PM we’ll introduce the night’s topic and then break off into smaller groups to brainstorm (you’ll be allocated a number as you arrive) and then around 9.30 PM one person will feedback to everyone what their group came up with. The rest of the night will be free for socialising, idea bouncing and networking.

The first Preston Tweetup was held on 17th March 2009 and was about how the web can be used in Preston Guild 2012. Find out what happened and see some pictures from the event.

If you’d like to get more involved in Preston Tweetup drop an email to prestonblogs@googlemail.com

Oops!

We said Word Soup #4 started at 9pm, but in actual fact, we were wrong. Oops, oops and oops again. We start at 8pm, tomorrow night at the New Continental. Do get in touch via this link if you've any questions. We wouldn't want you missing any of it, would we?

Word Soup 4

If you have been hiding under a rock or, well, just haven't been on Preston Writing Network before, then you may have somehow missed the fact that it is Word Soup tomorrow and that we are quite excited about it.

Word Soup is Preston's monthly live lit event at the Continental and this month, as well as the great planned line up, there are some open mic slots to show us what you can do.

If you've never performed open mic before and you fancy a go- you might want to have a look at our good friend Ann the Poet's tips here here. Just sign up on the door!

So that's 9pm. Tomorrow. The Continental. 

Got it?

Great!

Some writerly goings on in the North West ...

Apples & Snakes, The Brewery Spoken Word Open Mic is this Saturday in The Warehouse at The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal from 7.30pm. The fabulous Dominic Berry will be holding the writing workshop (4-6) and hosting the evening event and Andy Craven Griffiths will join him as guest performer.

The Story Slam have announced that they will be holding their first UK Story Slam in Lancaster at the aptly named Storey Creative Industries Centre on 4th September 2009. Admission costs £5. Keep an eye on their blog for details.

Kate Davis be running a weekend of poetry workshops at Heron Mill, which is a gorgeous 900yr old corn mill on the banks of the river Bela on Cumbria/Lancs. border. The workshops will run 11-4pm on Sat/Sun 15/16^th August. Cost is £15 per day or £20 for weekend. Lunch can be provided at £5. The sessions are aimed at people who have some experience as writers of poetry or who’d like to try in a friendly, informal setting. Those of you who’re already red hot arel more than welcome to attend and share your skills, rummage around their archive materials and have a go at whatever bits take your fancy. You can book via Kate Davis direct at catheryne.davis@tesco.net on Heron Mills' website www.heronmill.org or just email info@heronmill.org

Ruth Heritage on The Pygmy Giant

Ruth Heritage, pub owner extraordinaire, local cab firm lover and flash fiction writer, has been published on The Pygmy Giant.

The blog publishes UK flash fiction, poetry and non fiction. 

Check out Ruth's piece about a Preston cabbie here.

If you're interested in writing something for The Pygmy Giant, follow the submission guidelines here and email your finished piece to thepygmygiant@googlemail.com

Word Soup on Preston Blog

Here's a little bit more about our next Word Soup on the new look and swish Preston Blog. Top Banana!

Preston Cult Reading Group

Are your reading tastes for something a little out of the ordinary? Do you prefer off-beat reads and cult classics? The staff at Preston Harris library have just reminded us about their one-of-a-kind book-group:

Typically read authors include Jack Kerouac, Anthony Burgess, Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S Thompson, Jeff Noon, Sylvia Plath and William Burroughs. If you require further details about meeting times or places, or wish to collect a copy of our current read, contact Melanie at the Harris Library on 01772 532676 or melanie.murphy@lancashire.gov.uk.

Do you have information about a reading or writing group meeting in or near Preston? Are you a member of a reading group who'd like to use Preston Writing Network blog to reach a whole new audience? Get in touch or post your information in the comments.

Word Soup 4 - The Line Up

After the success of Word Soup #3: The Poetry Edition hosted by Ann the Poet, we’re back to the usual format hosted by Jenn Ashworth, Preston Writing Network’s Co-ordinator.

By popular demand, we’re keeping the three minute open mike spots and have several available to book on the night. Theme this month is: booze

This Word Soup is one of the many events put on as part of Preston’s first Preston Tringe Festival. For more about Preston’s first tringe, go here:

We’re also being recorded for PrestonFM and Lancaster’s Community Radio Station: Diversity FM ‘Words on the Waves’ programme. Volunteers will be live-blogging and twittering the event on the night, and you can join in from home by following us at @prestonwn or searching for #wordsoup

Events space at the New Continental – parking available round the back, and still only £3 to get in on the door. From 8pm.

This is the last Word Soup before our summer break – although we’ll be returning in September with something very special…

Booked writers are:

NICHOLAS ROYLE

Nicholas Royle’s most recent books are two novellas, The Appetite (Gray Friar Press) and The Enigma of Departure (PS Publishing). His short story collection, Mortality (Serpent’s Tail), was shortlisted for the inaugural Edge Hill Prize. He writes regularly for Time Out and the Independent. Born in Manchester in 1963, he has been teaching creative writing at Manchester Metropolitan University since 2006.

http://tigergarden.wordpress.com

http://www.nicholasroyle.com

http://www.facebook.com/nicholasroyle

MOLLIE BAXTER

My earliest memory of real writing – the sort that comes from no incentive other than to write – is of feverishly coding text adventure games into a Sinclair Spectrum 48k. Looking back, I can see this provided valuable insight into the frustrations of

telling a good story. I am a prose writer, singer-songwriter, radio presenter and creative writing tutor. Some of my short stories can be found in ‘Before the Rain,’ published by Flax Books.

‘… An abiding characteristic of Mollie Baxter’s writing … is her ability to pull off the unexpected. Rather than the road less travelled, it's a road cleaved through the thicket.’ – Dogmatika, 2008

www.molliebaxter.com

RICHARD HIRST

Richard Hirst was born in Preston and has studied creative writing in Manchester and Liverpool. He maintains a blog called I Thought I told You To Wait In The Car where he passes off other people's jokes as his own, draws pictures of John Leslie, and is the author of previous Word Soup ‘performance’, 'Dear Millipede'.

www.richardvivmeisterhirst.blogspot.com

SIMON BAKER

Simon Baker teaches English in a sixth form college and lives in Lancaster. He is a regular compere and performer of poetry, stories and comedy at the Spotlight Club. As a result he has been recognised in the street twice. His performance passport also has stamps from The Green Room in Manchester and the Sedburgh Literature Festival. Simon was commissioned to blog the Lancaster LitFest in 2006. Shortly afterwards it was accidentally deleted.

Reviews:
http://thelunecyreview.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/the-spotlight-club-20309/
http://thelunecyreview.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/simon-baker-at-the-spotlight-club-17409/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=XibiORi0oHk

TIM WOODALL

Tim Woodall is a writer who refers to himself, pretentiously, in the third person. He has been writing for a long time without getting very far, and has never come close to perfecting his art form. Does he work hard? Well, sometimes. Does he complain about it? Almost all of the time. In 2008 he published his first short story, and followed this minor success with a string of self-obsessed stories revolving aroun

d exactly the same themes. In 2009 he co-wrote a short comedy film called 'HIV: The Musical.' Somewhat bizarrely – and despite his hand in the directorial process – a real-life human film materialised. As yet, you might struggle to find it (anywhere) but it does star the ever-beautiful Martin Freeman and Julian Barratt. Thankfully, these two men are brilliant (they never write or speak about themselves in the third person…) and for the briefest of moments they made me – sorry, Tim – appear professional. It didn’t last long. As you’ll no doubt witness on the 28^th July.

FICTION

RAIN ON FILM (Aesthetica Magazine) - http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/gfx/21Friction.pdf

THE PLAGIARIST http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/2009/01/plagiarist.html

THE SATURDAY BOY http://dogmatika.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/the-saturday-boy/

NON-FICTION

THE ROAD TO BLACKPOOL PIER

http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/magazine/2008/11/21/the-road-to-blackpool-pier-report-on-blackpool-protest-stopping-the-bnp-in-the-north-west/

THE ROAD TO BRUSSELS (A RATHER UNFORTUNATE SEQUEL)

http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/magazine/2008/11/21/the-road-to-blackpool-pier-report-on-blackpool-protest-stopping-the-bnp-in-the-north-west/

RICHARD HULSE

Richard Hulse’s short fiction has appeared in the American literary webzines, Smokelong, Monkeybicycle, and 3AM. In 2004, his short story, ‘Christmas’, won first prize in the British fantasy magazine, Dark Tales. In 2007, he graduated from the University of Manchester creative writing MA, and is currently finishing a novel set in fin-de-siecle Vienna.

Word Soup 4

Are you excited about word soup 4? We, the lovely PWN people certainly are.  If you've not been, it's a live lit night hosted at the Continental in Preston. This month's theme is booze and it starts at 8:00 on the 28th July.

Check back later in the week for photos and bios of this months line up but in the mean time see what people had to say about last month's event below...

Was this the best Word Soup to-date? I think so & it was the best attended too. Ann the Poet was brilliant. - Max Henry

I didn't think poetry was my thing but Word Soup #3 was a fantastic evening. Ann the Poet, Sarah Miller and Gary Bridgens all provided an evening-worth of entertainment each and there wasn’t a duff open mic guest, all different, all good (missed Jenn though). Thanks again PWN. - Kim McGowan

I thought it was a great night out with a fine balance of styles and degrees of seriousness. Ann did a great job of making me feel welcome and relaxed on an unfamiliar stage. I was also really impressed with the consistently high quality of the other open mic contributions (something which by its nature is sometimes hit and miss). Word Soup has hit its stride incredibly quickly and already feels like a strong, established entity drawing on the strength in depth of the local writing talent. - Simon Baker

I really enjoyed the whole evening. The venue is excellent and there is obviously a great deal of work going on behind the scenes. I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute and agree that the standard was high and varied. I tried the open mic evening in the other bar but that seems to be more biassed towards musical acts. (Particularly liked the fish poem.) Great stuff! - Dave Carr

The future of reading is in your hands

I can not be the only person who gets emails with links to surveys that are VITAL for some piece of research or other. 

I know that I am certainly not the only person who sees the survey, thinks: "I'll do that later" and then never does.

(Can you see where I'm going yet?)

As part of my work for the University of Central Lancashire and a secret publisher who shall remain shrouded in mystery for the time being, i'm researching the potential audience for downloading short stories onto mobile phones. That is you Preston Writing Network readers!

Of course some of you may not want to read or listen to short stories on your phone or MP3 player which is fine. You are perfectly within your rights to not want to....I'd still like you to answer the survey though (please, please, please!)

The survey link is right here (and here and here for good measure) so please have a look. It will only take 2 minutes and I promise to get the next Word Soup review up super quick if lots of you take it.

Thank you PWNers!

xx