Happy National (UK) Poetry Day! And the theme this year being 'work', it seems appropriate that this week has been full of both work and poetry for me...
I was delighted, but nervous, after being asked by a local reading group this week if I would lead a session next May on Legend Press anthology Remarkable Everyday, which contains my short story Monday. I'm hoping to pop along to the April session on The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve to pick up a few tips on what will be expected of me. Wish me luck though, as leading a reading group session will be a first for me!
I've also been busy this week on other things as I was lucky enough to be asked to accompany my son's deputy head teacher on a conference about engaging parents and parent and school partnerships. His primary school is thinking about setting up a parents' council or forum. It is all interesting stuff, as I'd love to be more involved in his school and education, but I have a feeling it promises more work than poetry, or have I just set myself a challenge!
My son's school has also just set up some new 'university' sessions where parents can share their skills with pupils. Younger son's childcare permitting, I'm hoping I may be able to get involved on a creative writing/poetry/journalism front. Last year, I was lucky enough to help out with a year two class and hearing them read, make up their own poetry, book reviews, riddles etc was very rewarding - and inspiring too for my own writing.
It has been a productive week for me on the writing front. Amongst other projects, I've been busy editing a new short story which I'm hoping to have ready to submit for the 2009 Legend Press short story anthology. The deadline is ticking closer for me and anyone else who's yet to submit (you've still got till the end of the month though!).
I also found out this week that I've gained two Merit awards in Nottingham Poetry Society's 2008 Nottingham Open Poetry Competition, with my poems to be published in the next issue of Poetry Nottingham. As I said, a productive week of both work and poetry! Hope everyone else's has been good too.
Sarah James
When was National Poetry day? It would be helpful if these posts were dated.
Posted by: Norma | October 26, 2008 at 04:26 PM