Archives: Events

The Curae – launch

Join us on Google Meets for the long-awaited launch of the anthology of the inaugural Curae Prize!

We will be joined by the shortlisted authors and special guests, with Anna Vaught, author and founder of the prize, running the evening. Not to be missed! (Free)

Contraflow launch at Poetry above the Crypt

Join us on the 11th of November at St Mary’s church, Islington, to launch Contraflow: Lines of Englishness 1922–2022 as part of the Poetry Above the Crypt series.

Confirmed readers currently include:

John Challis, Kate Clanchy, David Clarke, Julia Copus, Peter Daniels, Rishi Dastidar, Stuart Henson, Holly Hopkins, Mimi Khalvati, Gregory Leadbetter, Katrina Naomi, Ruth Padel, Robert Selby, Tom Sastry, Elisabeth Sennitt Clough, George Szirtes, Rory Waterman and Rebecca Watts.

The event is free and open to all – no need to book, but please do help us spread the word! – at St Mary’s Church, Islington, 7–9.30 pm.

Donation suggested to Hospice Care, Kenya.

The Alchemy launch with Leone Ross

We’re delighted to be joined by the acclaimed novelist Leone Ross on Instagram Live for the launch for Anna Vaught’s guide to gentle productivity for writers, The Alchemy. Free and open to all – join us on Instagram!

Panel: Queer Ukraine

We’re delighted to see DVIJKA are appearing at the Coast Is Queer festival this year:

Join us for this rare opportunity to hear one of the most exciting queer writers of our time in conversation with Ukrainian writers and activists from the front line, telling their complex, compelling stories on their own terms. The panel will be led by Brighton’s own Maria Jastrzębskawhose Polish homeland has its own complex relationship to both Ukraine and LGBTQ+ rights.

A Helping Hand with Ann Morgan

Polly Morland’s A Fortunate Woman charts the life and work of a country doctor, while Ann Morgan’s Crossing Over captures an unlikely allyship between an elderly woman with dementia and a recently arrived refugee. Together they speak to Julia Leonard about the importance of care, compassion and community and reaching across the social divide.

How to be a Literary Explorer

Pack your curiosity and journey off the beaten track with our Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan in this whistle-stop tour of translated texts rarely seen in English that will turn reading upside down. Playing with ideas of truth and identity, and chasing down assumptions and biases, it will test what embracing not knowing can teach us about ourselves and our world.

Truth or Dare and Other Stories – Book Launch

Join us for the launch of Nadia Kabir Barb’s short-story collection Truth or Dare and Other Stories at Hatchards Piccadilly, where the author will be in conversation with Awais Khan, author of No Honour

Waltz With Me: A Play Reading with Music

Inspired by pioneering 19th century educator Cornelia Connelly, mother, nun and possible saint, the play explores the dynamics of marriage, nature of personal sacrifice for a greater cause, the impact of faith and human ability to transform adversity into deeper understanding and generosity of action.

Join Diane Samuels (author of award-winning play Kindertransport) for this full reading with professional cast, featuring classical, sacred and folk music, directed by acclaimed theatre director Joe Harmston to celebrate the book launch and publication by Renard Press of the playscript.

Company includes actors Danny Sapani, Lizzy Watts, Imogen Slaughter, Ken Christiansen, Patrick Dineen and Matilda Rowe; David Osmond (pianist/composer), Alice Barron (violinist), Hannah Blaikie (flautist), Laura Forrest Hay (music consultant) and Ghislaine Kenyon (research consultant).