Tag Archives: Spoken Word

Story Friday LEAP! Call for submissions

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Story Friday in February has the theme LEAP! in celebration of 2020 as a leap year. Story Friday is on 28th February, the day before the leaping day, and we want to revel in the glory of this springing theme! Whether your stories feature proposals or boxing hares, Christmas lords or death defying jumps, we are so looking forward to reading what you come up with!

Story Friday LEAP! will be on 28th February, deadline for submissions is 17th February. We’re looking for stories that are 2,000 words or fewer.  (Full submission details are here).  Writers must be available to come to Bath for the event.  If you’d rather not read, we have wonderful actors who can read your story for you.

For more information about Story Friday, to listen to stories that we have recorded at our events over the years, and/or to submit your story please visit A Word In Your Ear.

Story Friday Chemistry – we want your stories!

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After a lovely long summer and story walks in the sun, Story Fridays is back inside, at Burdall’s Yard in Bath.  Our next event in November has the theme Chemistry. Are you thinking of bunsen burners, or eyes meeting across a crowded room? Whatever you choose, chemistry is all about reactions, explosive or otherwise. We can’t wait to see where our latest theme takes you!

Story Friday Chemistry will be on 8th November, deadline for submissions is 28th October. We’re looking for stories that are 2,000 words or fewer.  (Full submission details are here).  Writers must be available to come to Bath for the event.  If you’d rather not read, we have wonderful actors who can read your story for you.

For more information about Story Friday, to listen to stories that we have recorded at our events over the years, and/or to submit your story please visit A Word In Your Ear.

 

Stroud Short Stories ‘Incendiary!’ Sunday 19 May – Tickets on Sale

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Tickets are now on sale for the 18th Stroud Short Stories event Incendiary! on Sunday 19 May  –

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/638976

Tickets are priced as usual at £8. The event, at our new venue, the 150-seater Cotswold Playhouse, Parliament Street, Stroud, GL5 1LW, starts at 8pm (doors 7.30).

Ten Gloucestershire authors will be reading their stories about fire, heat, passion, anger and rebellion selected from the 113 stories submitted.

The authors are –

Robin Booth

Joanna Campbell

Louise Elliman

Michael Hurst

Jason Jackson

Emma Kernahan

Geoff Mead

Chloe Turner

Steve Wheeler (aka Steven John)

Alwin Wiederhold

All info on the Stroud Short Stories website

 

Masterclasses and author talks for short fiction lovers

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For five years Novel Nights has been at the forefront of live lit in Bristol & Bath, programming author talks with authors like Maggie Gee and Nathan Filer.

This year we’re launching masterclasses, taught by experienced academics and writers. Tom Vowler will teach our first class, From Spark to Flame: Forging The Short Story on 27th April.  Tom is short fiction editor at Unthank Books, has published two short story collections and his third novel is out soon. He teaches at Arvon Foundation and Plymouth University.

“A masterclass to unlock some of the mysteries of this dazzling literary form. Aimed at both emerging and published writers, the class will explore how stories are crafted, how you can bring them to life, give them voltage and vitality.” 

On September 8th, Vanessa Gebbie will lead a day-long flash-fiction masterclass in Bristol. Tickets in advance.

“An in-depth look at flash fiction, aimed at any writer who is interested to start or continue an exploration of this sparkling form. You will create  many fresh pieces thanks to tried and tested games and exercises –  your tutor never asks you to share your writing, so you are unencumbered as you play freely and focus on meeting your new characters, voices and forms within forms.” Vanessa Gebbie has won awards for both prose and poetry, including a Bridport Prize and the Troubadour. Author of ten books, including five collections of short fictions, two of poetry and a novel, she is also commissioning and contributing editor of Short Circuit: Guide to the Art of the Short Story (Salt).

Novella-in-flash author talk 

On May 11th we’ve invited Michael Loveday, judge of the 2019 Bath Novella-in-Flash Award, to discuss writing a Novella-in-Flash and to share insights into the judging process.

Tickets only £8.50 from Novel Nights. Square Club, Bristol. BS8 1HB. Flash writers are welcome to submit to read

 

 

 

Story Friday The Garden – Call for Submissions

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Story Friday in May has the theme The Garden.  I don’t know about where you are, but here in Bath the blossom is blooming, the tulips are budding and spring is definitely springing. So take a stroll down the garden path and let your imagination fly.

Story Friday The Garden will be on 3rd May, deadline for submissions is 22nd April.  That’s very soon, so get writing! We’re looking for stories that are 2,000 words or fewer.  (Full submission details are here).  Writers must be available to come to Bath for the event.  If you’d rather not read, we have wonderful actors who can read your story for you.

For more information about Story Friday, to listen to stories that we have recorded at our events over the years, and/or to submit your story please visit A Word In Your Ear.

Story Fridays ‘2018’ – call for submissions

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How was 2018 for you?

We think it has been quite a year.  We’d like to reflect on it and even  celebrate it at Story Friday with stories that are inspired by events that happened in 2018.  These events can be personal, local, national, international; they can be political, environmental, romantic, comic, tragic.  We’d like a whole range of responses to what we’ve just experienced, as we usher in the new dawn of 2019.

Story Friday 2018 will be on 25th January 2019, deadline for submissions Monday 14th January.  We’re looking for stories that are 2,000 words or fewer.  (Full submission details here).  Writers must be available to come to Bath for the event.  If you’d rather not read, we have wonderful actors who can read your story for you.

!! STORY FRIDAY CHALLENGE !!

January’s Story Friday is all about events that have just happened, so for this Story Friday we have a special challenge.

As well as the submissions about 2018, for the first time we want to include ONE special story, inspired by a NEWS story the week before Story Friday! (ie between 18th and 24th January).  Deadline is Thursday midday 24th January, the day before Story Friday.  Max word count is 1,000 words. You are very welcome to submit both to Story Friday 2018 AND to the Challenge. The chosen story will be read by an actor at Story Friday.

Talk about HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!

For more information: A Word In Your Ear

Story Friday Feast – call for submissions!

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As we hurtle towards Christmas we’re planning our next Story Friday and the theme is Feast!  We’re looking for stories long and short that touch on feasting. You might go traditional and give us tables laden with roast meats and suet puddings, or take us to far-flung corners of the globe for fresh mangoes and newly dropped coconuts. You might decide that lack-of-feast, or famine, is your interest, or look at a feast that has nothing to do with food. However you want to interpret the theme we know we will be intrigued by your offerings!

Story Friday Feast will be on November 30th, deadline for submissions is on 19th November.  Please check that you are available to come along to Burdall’s Yard in Bath on the 30th November before you submit.

We are looking for short stories or monologues, fact or fiction (but mainly fiction), maximum 2,000 words. If you want to enter a flash piece that can work too, either for the stage, or in print – recently we’ve included a flash piece in our programme for the audience to read in the interval and take home with them. No poetry, thank you.

We have some wonderful professional actors who are very happy to read your story if performance gives you the jitters. Olly Langdon of Kilter Theatre (who is also our brilliant host) will read a male voice, and we have a number of female actors who can read stories which need a female voice.  Let us know in your email when you submit if you’d like someone else to read your piece.

To submit, click here.

Story Friday: Call for Submissions

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Story Fridays‘ theme for September is ‘Tomorrow’. Tomorrow could mean Saturday – or it could mean the year 2060. For Story Friday Tomorrow we’d like to explore what happens next. We’d love utopias, dystopias, dreams and expectations in this step into the unknown. This is one where you can unleash your imaginations, go wild, surprise us with your visions for the future, near and far. Go on – you’ve got all summer to weave us your dreams!

We are looking for short stories that work out loud, or monologues, fact or fiction (but mainly fiction). Maximum 2,000 words. If you want to enter a flash piece that can work too. No poetry, thank you.

The event will be held on Friday September 21st at Burdall’s Yard in Bath. Please check that you are available to come along on the 21st September before you submit.  We like the writers to be in the audience for these events.

We have some wonderful professional actors who are very happy to read your story if performance gives you the jitters.  Let us know in your email when you submit if you’d like someone else to read your piece.

For more information go to our website.

You’ve read Bunbury, now listen to us!

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Hello to you all from Bunbury Magazine!

We’re just dropping by the give you a quick update on what we are up to at Bunbury HQ.

Did you know we’re now doing podcasts? Well we are. This is a very exciting development and means you won’t be too long between bouts of Bunbury. Currently, we are running two.

Bunbury Speaks, which is a monthly interview podcast with a twist. As well as talking to some very special people about writing, inspirations and all manner of other things, each guest contributes to a chain story, taking a starting point to some very interesting places. Currently, there is one episode available where the guest is our very own poetry editor Malika Street.

Just Write Speaks, the recording of our monthly spoken word event. There are open micers and special guests bringing a huge variety of rhymes and words to your ears. There is almost 6 months worth of events live right now, with guests including Rose Condo, Genevieve L Walsh, Broccan Tyzack-Carlin and many more!

Both of these can be found by clicking the lovely photo below.

This month, we have Joe Williams as our special guest. If you are in or around Manchester, please drop by. There are open mic slots available as well as the chance to compete in the Haiku Death Match. Search Just Write Speaks on Facebook or follow the link to the event right here – Just Write Speaks June.

If you enjoy the podcasts, please consider subscribing and reviewing us on iTunes while you are there.

In other news, Bunbury is still open for submissions. The theme is run and we are looking for short stories, poetry, flash fiction and all manner of writing. Details of our submissions guidelines can be found below.

That’s all from us, folks. Before submitting, consider looking through some past issues to see the kind of thing we do. You can get to our past issues through our website.

Much love and keep scribbling,

Christopher and Keri.

Infinity Words (Bunbury issue 19 is here!)

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Hello hello fans of Bunbury Magazine, we’re back so pop on your fancy gem encrusted glove, pause from attempting to rule the universe and relax with the latest issue.
The theme this time was Infinity and whoowee, do we have some excellent content to share with you! From the front cover to the logo on the back page, we think this will be right up your street.
‘But how do we buy this magnificent display of work from authors and artists from around the world’? I hear you cry. Well, if you click on the pictures of the front covers below, your quest will come to an end.
You can get the physical version of the magazine here:
Please note that the physical copy includes Short Stories, Flash Fiction and Poetry.

Bunbury 19 print

And we have digital copies for sale here:
Please note that the digital copy includes bonus content.

Bunbury 19 cover

We really had a lot of fun putting this issue together and we hope you enjoy it.
FUN FACT! If you buy the physical copy
We also, as always have our back catalogue for you get stuck into, just click on the picture to unlock the gateway to Bunbury issues past. Not future though, what do you think this is, The Eye Agamotto? No, it isn’t. Sorry. We’ll try and sort that out for next time.

Issue 17 Spiral

And now dear reader, allow us to make a horrifically dated music reference.
*eh hem*
What’s that coming in to your ears is it a podcast? Is it a podcast!
*takes bow painfully aware of the void of silence*

Yes! That’s right! You heard us, Bunbury Magazine now has not one, but TWO PODCASTS, oh my word! The rumours were true!

The Just Write Speaks podcasts are recordings of out Spoken Word night that we hold in Bury Lancs on the last Tuesday of the month of the same name. There really are some smashing spoken word artist performing wonderful stuff.

The Bunbury Speaks podcast is, not to give too much away, an interview podcast with a twist that we think you’ll really like. Intrigued? Good. You should be.

Tell you what, why don’t you give it a listen? Just click the picture below and you shall be transported to Bury’s best regular spoken word night or our studio where you can hear talk to some marvelous people!

Issue 15 Spiral

And finally, we’re open for submissions dear, dear friends.
The theme this time is ‘Run’ and we’re looking forward to reading all of the lovely submissions.
If you would like to submit, please click on the poster below to find out how!
We look forward to hearing from you!

issue-20-theme

Well, lots of news there huh? We’re going to leave you to it and we’ll speak to you next time.
OKTHANKSLOVEYOUBYE!

Story Fridays – Call for Submissions

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The next Story Friday has the theme of ‘Stolen’: stolen hearts, stolen kisses, stolen jewels, stolen lives… who is the thief in your story?  Will you go all Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or are your robber’s deeds more domestic?  We can’t wait to read your stolen stories!  2,000 words maximum, no minimum, deadline Monday April 30th.  Story Friday Stolen is on Friday 11th May – please ensure you are available to come to the event before submitting.  We have fine actors who are happy to read your story for you if you’d like them to – please let us know when you submit.  For more information about Story Fridays, to listen to stories that we’ve recorded, for full submission details and to submit your story click here.

Stroud Short Stories is open for submissions for its 20 May event

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Stroud Short Stories is open for submissions for the 20 May event – our 16th event. Submissions will close at the end of Saturday 14 April. It’s an open theme this time. As ever it’s free to submit and we accept both published and unpublished stories from Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire writers. Ten authors will read their work in front of a capacity audience of 70 short story lovers on Sunday 20 May at the SVA in John Street, Stroud, GL5 2HA.

We will also be publishing a second anthology later this year and all ten writers will be invited to have their story published in it.

All the info you need is on our website/blog – https://stroudshortstories.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 



Bunbury Issue 18…in your hands?

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Well hello to you all from Bunbury Magazine, and a (possibly slightly late) Happy New Year 2019 because by golly that January was a long one! We hope you are all well and sticking to your resolution like the good ones that you are.

 

We’re back to let you know that WE’RE BACK! Bunbury has landed with a brand new issue. Number 18. Bunbury is now officially able to vote and drink. It’s applying to university and revising for A Levels. It’s a busy time at Bunbury HQ.

 

To the important part. The issue is available for you now and, for the very first time, you can literally get your hands on a copy! That’s right, we’re in print! You would not believe how excited we are about this. Bunbury 18 now comes in both physical and digital formats: the physical features all of the poetry, short stories and flash fiction. The digital comes with bonus content, including the Art & Photography section, Serials and Our Edinburgh Fringe 2017 feature! It’s a corker.

The physical copy is £5 and comes with an activation code to download the bonus content for free OR you can get the full digital version downloaded to your gadgets for £5. Choose your destiny below.

Bunbury Issue 18: The Hunt Physical Edition

Bunbury Issue 18: The Hunt Digital Edition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went with the theme of ‘The Hunt’ because Editor Keri was the loudest in the meeting room that day and started pretending to hunt everyone around the office. We don’t know why… We were afraid to ask.
Still, she’s stopped now and that’s the main thing.
We also thought it would be a darn good prompt. We hope it was.

This issue is another very special one, from the words, to the people, to the art, it’s just splendid from cover to cover.

As always, we’re bringing you excellent short stories, poetry, flash fiction and more alongside the usual stunning art work and in this one, we present for your delectation and delight, our adventures at the Edinburgh Fringe festival through our annual interviews. Also, allow me to take this opportunity to say that if you’ve never been to the Fringe, you really should. It’s a month of mayhem and wonder. Plus, haggis! What more could you ask for?

 

OTHER NEWS

Bunbury Issue 19 is now open for submissions. The theme for this one, you ask? Infinity we answer. As always, a big concept for you lovely, talented people to get your creative chops in to. For all of our guidelines for submitting to us, click on the submissions poster below. There’s lots of lovely info there!

 

Some of you may also know that we run spoken word events in our home town of Bury. If you didn’t know, you do now! They are also back up and running for 2018. The first one of the year was an absolute belter and we’re ramping up for the next one. It’s on 27th February in The Old White Lion in Bury. Our headliners are the absurdly talented Benjamin Guilfoyle and Fiona Nuttall. If you’re in the area (or even if you aren’t) come along. We have open mic spots available. For all the information, you know what to do (click the poster which will take you to a Facebook event where you can tell us you are coming!)

 

That’s all for now folks! As usual, come and find us on Facebook (Bunbury Magazine), Twitter (@BunburyPublish) and wherever they are serving a fine gin.

 

Tah-tah for now, dear Bunburyists!

Christopher and Keri.

Story Friday Call for Submissions

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We all need a bit of hygge in the grey winter months so Story Fridays‘ next theme is ‘HOME’.  We’re going all cuppas with a nip of whisky and slippers by the fire.  But not all our stories will be that cosy, we can guarantee it.  If you’ve got a Home story we’d love to read it.  Stories should be 2,000 words or fewer, deadline for submissions is 26th February for Story Fridays event on 9th March in Bath.  Please ensure you are available to come along before you submit.  If you don’t want to read your story, and would like one of our wonderful actors to read it for you, please let us know when you send in your story.  We can’t wait to read them!  For more information, to listen to the kind of stories we like, and to submit your story, click here.

‘The Squat Pen Rests’ Short Story Writing Competition

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squat-pen-rests-large

 Grab your hats, coats, shoes and socks and be sure to wipe your calendars clean for the evening of Friday 26th January 2018.

Why?

Because on that night ‘The Squat Pen Rests’ Short Story Spoken Word Event will be barrelling into the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, with a freshly sharpened pencil clamped between its teeth, and brandishing a proper-fancy gaggle of fabulous stories for anyone brave enough to pitch up and listen.

Six  super-fine short story writers will duke it out in front of a live audience to find out who will be crowned the very first ever ‘The Squat Pen Rests’ Writing Competition Champion of the World!

There will be prizes, live music, a bar, some occasional bawdiness and, of course, those six spoken word performers who will have travelled from far and wide (maybe even further) in pursuit of the Holy Grail that is ‘The Squat Pen Rests’ Writing Competition Champion of the World title.

The game’s afoot: and upon this charge (just £5.50 per ticket), cry ‘gimme one!’ (or maybe two) to secure your seats.

Click here to buy your tickets.

 

Meanwhile…

‘The Squat Pen Rests’ is actively seeking writer-performers. So, if you’d like to be in with a chance of performing your story on the night (and winning fifty smackers, to boot) then we’d love to hear from you. All you have to do is follow the link for further details. The Squat Pen Rests Writing Competition

And when does this glorious event take place, I hear you roar. Well, because you’ve roared so nicely, I’ll tell you.

The date is Friday 28th January 2018. Doors will open at 7.30pm and the readings will commence around 8pm. Closing time is ‘late’. 

And Where, pray tell, doth this event take place? 

All right Shakespeare, keep your hair on. I’ll tell you where:

The Place – Wyvern Theatre,

Theatre Square,

Swindon SN1 1QN

01793 524481

For all other enquiries please email: stephentuffin@hotmail.com

 

 

Story Fridays gets the shivers!

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Missing Halloween already?  Been inspired by ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night?  Story Fridays wants your stories on the theme of HAUNTING.  This is our firstly ghostly themed Story Fridays in five years, so we’re really excited and just a little bit scared already!  Stories should be 2,000 words or fewer, deadline for submissions is coming up fast on 13th November, and the date of Story Friday Haunting is 24th November in Bath.  Please ensure you are available to come along before you submit.  If you don’t want to read your story, and would like one of our wonderful actors to read it for you, please let us know when you send in your story.  We can’t wait to read them!  For more information, to listen to the kind of stories we like, and to submit your story, click here.

Spooky stories for grown-ups

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Fearless folks of Faversham and Folkestone!

Prepare to be scared by some spine-tingling stories and ghoulish (PoundUniverse) prizes this Halloween.

We’ll once again be gathering around the fireplace in the opulent Drawing Room of Folkestone’s famous Grand Hotel to hear spooky tales written especially for Hand of Doom Productions on Friday, October 27 from 8pm. Drinks available from the bar.

Then, on Saturday, October 28, we’ll be chilling The Faversham Society & Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre at 13 Preston Street, ME13 8NS Faversham, Kent from 8pm where you can bring your own bottle of something to steady your nerves.

 

Both events cost £6. For more details for Folkestone, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/359715527786531/?ref=br_rs and for Faversham, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/404655723282887/

Words And Women Launch Writing Sundays – All In A Good Cause

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Words and Women, which supports and celebrates women writers is launching a series of Writing Sundays in the community to support their bid to raise funds for a virtual office and website.

The series of exciting writing workouts in Norwich are designed to be an energizing dip into creativity and will be held on 3 Sundays in September and one on the first of October led by professional writers in prose, poetry, scriptwriting, and devised theatre. Learn how to kickstart your first novel with Sarah Ridgard, join poet Julia Webb on the theme of family and childhood in poetry, devise theatre with Hannah Walker and transform a Suffragette text into a contemporary script with Belona Greenwood. Book up for all four or fix on one that sparks your imagination.

The workshops take place in The Old Hospital Chapel, Fellowes Plain, Norwich, NR1 4DL all between 10 and 12 a.m (except for week 3 which will run between 9.45 – 12.15).

The workshops are just £20 each. They are open to all levels of women writers – there really is something for everyone. Book all four and get a 10% discount. Bookings open from August 19th at www.wordsandwomennorwich.blogspot.co.uk

If a workshop doesn’t appeal then Words and Women are asking supporters to dip into their pockets and support their crowd-funding appeal.

The voluntary organisation run by Lynne Bryan and Belona Greenwood are seeking to raise £3,500 by the end of September 2017 by asking people to become supporters offering donations of £5 and £25.

In return for their generosity, £5 supporters will receive advance notice of events and competitions planned for 2018.  The supporter’s name will also appear on the sponsors’ page of a new 2018 publication, the Words & Women compendium.

Become a Super Supporter for £25 and receive all of the above and a free copy of the compendium which will be published on the 8th March, International Women’s Day. Their name will also be entered in a prize draw for a bumper selection of books by women writers, published in the UK.

For more information and to donate go to: www.wordsandwomennorwich.blogspot.co.uk

Story Fridays Call for Submissions

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We’re looking for your stories!  The next Story Fridays in September has the theme the Speed of Light. Take it literally or metaphorically… Perhaps we’ll go to the dark side of the moon, or the furtherest far away star, or perhaps we’ll get caught up in the state of the nation, and enjoy how political fortunes can change at the speed of..well. You get the idea. Story Friday – The Speed of Light will be on Friday 22nd September at Burdall’s Yard in Bath, deadline for submissions is the 11th September.

We are looking for short stories or monologues, fact or fiction (but mainly fiction), maximum 2,000 words. If you want to enter a flash piece that can work too. No poetry, thank you. Please check that you are available to come along to Bath on the 22nd September before you submit. We like the writers to be in the audience for these events.

We have some wonderful professional actors who are very happy to read your story if performance gives you the jitters. Let us know when you submit if you’d like someone else to read your piece.

For more information, or to listen to the kind of stories we like, click here.