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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When: Online - 3rd WEDNESDAY of the month (Feb, April, July, Nov). In person - 3rd THURSDAY of the month (Jan, March, May, June, Sept, Oct, Dec) - - Please note: we take August off! See below for the latest dates. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start, and we usually finish around 9.30pm.
Events on Facebook
UPCOMING EVENTS
Next Event:
Thursday 15th May at Centre E, with EMMA PURSHOUSE
7 for 7.30 start - - FREE ENTRY
​Emma Purshouse is a poetry slam champion and performs regularly at spoken word nights and festivals far and wide, sometimes using her native Black Country dialect. She was the first Poet Laureate for the City of Wolverhampton. Emma is one third of the poetry collective ‘Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists’ who run spoken word events, workshops, and poetry projects across the English Midlands. She is currently editor of The Blackcountryman magazine.
Her children’s poetry collection ‘I Once Knew a Poem Who Wore a Hat’ (Fair Acre Press) won the poetry section of the Rubery Book award in 2016. Her poetry publication ‘Close’ (Offa’s Press) was shortlisted for the same award in 2018. Her latest collection is called ‘It’s Honorary, Bab’ (Offa’s Press 2022). Her debut novel ‘Dogged’ is published by Ignite Books. Emma's appearances include The Cheltenham Literature Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Much Wenlock Poetry Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, Latitude, Womad and Shambala.
Venue: Centre E, Barton Rd., ELy CB7 4DE. (map link)
FREE Entry (donations taken) - no tickets required - just turn up!
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