Small Press Book Fair 25th October 2008

I will also be reading from some of my MA work at the excellent Small Press Book Fair at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, WC1R 4RL on the 25th October at 1.30pm with one of my incredibly talented poetic colleagues, Becky Cremin. The fair itself is on both days and is well worth a visit, lots of artist's books, graphic novels, cool concrete poetry etc.

Details:

“The book as art form….”
the international event in London celebrating books by contemporary artists, poets, writers, composers, book designers, and their publishers

This year the Fair will be featuring more publishers than ever before –over fifty - with a truly international field -, two publishers from New York – Cuneiform Press and Vanitas and Libellum books; Chax press from Tucson, Arizona; Perro Verlag from Vancouver; Antic-Ham of Korea; and with publishers and presses from France, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, and throughout the UK.

The Small Publishers Fair has announced this year's readings and events programme which takes place alongside the Fair. In a varied schedule, highlights include readings from Vincent Katz and Kyle Schlesinger, both poets, editors and publishers from New York, and the launch of the much acclaimed Reality Street Editions’ Book of Sonnets, to be introduced by its editor Jeff Hilson. Bill Griffiths’ The Lion Man and Others will be launched by readers from Veer Books, and for West House books, David Annwn will launch his largest collection to date, Bela Fawr's Cabaret.

The Fair brings together international artists, poets, writers, composers , book designers and publishers to celebrate contemporary artist publishing. Now in its 7th year, the Fair has attracted widespread interest, and praise for the quality of the events, and the immense variety of work on display.

More than 50 publishers are showing work , and all the books and editions are for sale, - an opportunity to buy work at an affordable price. With free admission, there's something for everyone – from top class writing, beautifully printed artists’ editions, multiples, and zines, to inexpensive pamphlets and artists cards. Several young artists’ collectives will be showing their work for the first time.


Organiser Martin Rogers of RGAP said
'The Fair has established itself as the national forum for the many small presses and
independent publishers actively promoting contemporary work. A number of the books and editions on display are special; and may not find their way into conventional bookshops, or sit on regular bookshelves.'

Forward Prize Anthology 2008 and more...

As a numerological 8 person, 2008 has been very fortunate for me so far. I am happy to say that this continues with the news that my poem Occasional Lover will be included in the Forward Book of Poetry 2008.

Also, the poem R E D E S I G N E D: A Lexical Love Triangle, written especially for Re:think, a creative project by Wardour Publishing & Design as part of the London Design Festival 2008, is due to be produced as part of a limited edition book. I'm really excited to see how it turns out!

And with very, very late notice, I will be reading at Agnes Meadows' Loose Muse at the Poetry Cafe tomorrow night, Wednesday 10th September. Tomorrow will only be as part of readings from the floor, and it will hopefully be followed by a featured slot in the early new year.

Reading at Durham Book Festival

The fringe programme has now been published for the Durham Book Festival, and I will be reading and doing a Q&A on Monday 20 October 2008, more details here

Review in The London Magazine

Here it is - a very nice review by Agnes Meadows, if slightly over-focused on the emotional relationship pieces in the book. However, I guess they are what might stand out more than the rest - although, because I am so familiar with it, I feel like the other poems are just as relevant. But great, great review - "razor sharp", "chutzpah" and "McKerrow's clear ability to write with extraordinary perception about all elements of the emotional spectrum".

The Reading Agency

Apparently I am going to be doing a project with Croydon libraries as part of the Reading Agency's campaign this year to link readers and writers. I am not sure of the details yet but will keep you posted...

http://www.readingagency.org.uk/adults/reading-partners/

Updates

Just a few updates and things to look out for. I believe that reviews of the book are upcoming in The London Magazine and Spirit and Destiny, as well as Kaleidoscope, a new magazine for student writing at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Reading at Witchfest UK

A late notice announcement, but I will be reading from The Fast Heat of Beauty at Witchfest UK this Saturday 10th May at 1.45pm at Fairfield Halls in Croydon. Witchfest is the world's largest pagan-oriented event and features two days of seminars, workshops, music, food and shopping for all things mystical!

I am excited to be doing a reading, especially as I consider myself pagan, and also as the book has a strong spiritual emphasis that I hope would feel relevant to Witchfest attendees......