Literary Salons, Anon 7 and simultaneous blogging

This week, for the first time ever, I attended a Literary Salon.  It was my cousin who suggested that we go along, and I really wasn’t sure what to expect.  The word Salon puts me in mind of all the 17th or 19th century groups, that you read about in historical novels.  However, there was very little old fashioned about the Edinburgh City of Literature Salon.  Unfortunately due to bus’s I missed the first part of the evening, but the atmosphere was warm and relaxed and is set out to be very friendly.  If you don’t believe me, the Guardian’s Edinburgh correspondent, Tom Allen, was there and has blogged his thoughts on the Salon.

I was also very pleased to bump into Colin and Peggy of Anon, and pick up the latest edition Anon 7, which I am planning to spend my Sunday reading.  I always enjoy Anon, and love the ethos of an anonymous submissions system, which I note from the website has a swanky new poets interface.  Their ethos means that it really has become a must have publication for me to see my work in, and I am determined that one day I will manage it.

The simultaneous blogging experiment is starting to pick up a-pace.  Poets such as Claire Askew, Kevin Cadwallender, Russell Jones and Sally Evans are taking part.  Thanks also goes to Sally and Rob MacKenzie for their help in promoting the idea.  I’m keeping things open for a few more days to see who is interested, but will be starting soon, so if you want to take part, please say now.

Published and performing

I have had a pretty good start to the new year.  At the beginng of January I was wondering if there would be enough going on for a regular once-a-week post.  Now I find I am inundated.

Firstly I have had my first ever print publication.  It was in Poetry Scotland, a broadsheet edited by Sally Evans.  It was a very small contribution, but pleasing for me none-the-less.

At the end of this month I will be performing at Hidden Door.  Hidden Door is an interdiscaplinary arts festival held in Edinburgh.  There will be musicians, artists, filmakers and poets.  I shall be performing on the Saturday at 4.00 – 4.30 in the lounge and then from 4.30 on the Main Stage – a bit scary but I’m sure the adrenaline rush from doing two slots back to back will leave me on a massive natural high for long afterward.  I shall also be helping poet Andrew Philip, and artist Geri Loup-Nolan with their planned raidal poem, which festival visitors can participate in.  Please come along and check things out.

Lastly I will also be performing next month at Poetry at the GRV.  As it is Valentines Day the organiser, Rob MacKenzie, has asked poets to write a response to a specific line from the Song of Songs, and ancient love poem.  The line I have been given is “Adjure, Oh daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved; tell him I am love-sick”.  So wether you celebrate Valentines Day or feel it is a load of rubbish drummed up to sell cards please come along, it will be a great night.