HOME OF FEN SPEAK AND THE FENLAND POET LAUREATE AWARDS 2012-2017
Fen Speak is Ely's long-running regular poetry, spoken word and storytelling open mic night where local writers come together to share their work in a friendly environment.
Who: all are welcome - poets, spoken word artists, non-fiction or fiction writers, or those just wanting to listen! The events include first time readers as well as regular contributors.
What: poetry, fiction, non-fiction - each reader gets a slot of around 3 minutes, depending on how busy the night is. It's free to attend, with donations taken to cover running costs. Just turn up and sign up, or email in advance to book your reading slot. There are also often special guest readers, such as local poets who have recently had new work published.
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Why: come to share your work, gain confidence in performing it, hear and meet other fantastic writers, and find out more about writing happening in the fens - the reasons to come are endless!
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Where: We mix online and in-person events. Online on Zoom, and in-person at our new venue: Centre E Community Hub, Barton Rd., Ely CB7 4DE (Map link)
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~ ~ BREAKING NEWS ~ ~
Commencing January 2026, ALL of our open-mic nights, whether in-venue at Centre E or on Zoom, will be held on the THIRD WEDNESDAY of the month. No more having to chop and change - hurrah!
Events on Facebook
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday 21st January 2026 - - CLIVE OSEMAN
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Clive Oseman is a widely published, multi-slam winning spoken word artist, comedian, satirist, storyteller, promoter and workshop facilitator with a liking for the surreal and absurd, who has three times competed at the UK slam finals.
He has headlined/ featured at events and Festivals around the UK as well as in New York City, where he featured on the Blackbird Stage at the New York City poetry festival on Governors Island, and at the 5C conference Centre in Manhattan in 2022, and in Lisbon, Portugal at Good Company Bookshop in July 2025. His one man show What if they laugh at me? has been performed in towns and cities across the country including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Peterborough, Wolverhampton, Stockport among others.
His fifth book, “Dig This and Smile” - a collection of his own brand of humorous poetry and prose - was published by Alien Buddha Press in September 2025.
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Time: 7pm for a 7.30 start
Venue: Centre E, Barton Rd., Ely CB7 4DE - MAP LINK
FREE ENTRY – no tickets needed - just turn up!
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To stay in the loop about what's happening at Fen Speak, please sign up to the newsletter HERE.
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Clive Oseman