What’s On

Seren Books: Book Signings: Real Aberystwyth by Niall Griffiths.  Niall will also be signing copies of the book on at 10:30am - 11:30am in WHSmith and 12:00pm - 1:00pm at Galloway’s Bookshop, in Aberystwyth.  For further details contact Jen Campbell: jencampbell@seren-books.com.

The Bleddfa Poetry Group: The Four Quartets by T. S. Eliot: Quartets Nos. 2 and 3: East Coker and The Dry Salvages.  Said to be the greatest religious poem in English of the 20th Century or even all centuries, T. S. Eliot’s masterpiece, The Four Quartets (1935-1942) meditates on the nature of time, love religion and history.  Led by Peter Conradi and Daphne Turner  2:30pm - 4:30pm at The Hall Barn, Bleddfa Centre, Bleddfa, nr Knighton, Powys.  £5.  For further details contact enquiries@bleddfacentre.com / 01547 550377.  www.bleddfacentre.com.

Dylan Thomas Centre / Waterloo Press: Launch - uncaged sea by John Goodby.  uncaged sea is Swansea poet John Goodby’s tour de force of experimentalism, based on ideas of composer John Cage and Dylan Thomas’ Collected Poems.  It has been performed at the Dylan Thomas Centre and other venues by John’s performance troupe Boiled String.  The text is published simultaneously as book and CD, and the launch will feature extracts performed by Boiled String.  7pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre.  Free entry and wine.  For further details contact the Dylan Thomas Centre: dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 463980.

Neath Port Talbot Library Services: Talk on research and writing with Catrin Collier.  2:30pm at Briton Ferry Library.  Free entry.  For further details contact Paul Doyle: p.a.doyle@npt.gov.uk / 01639 860000.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Dylan Thomas Centre: Book Launch: Read Only by Peter Read.  The long-awaited second collection by poet, playwright and actor Peter Read, winner of the 2007 John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry.  Published by Pinewood Press, this volume reflects both sides of Peter’s poetry – the wry, witty, and energetic pieces that form the core of his memorable performances, and the intelligent, philosophical, and often moving poems written more for the page.  Enjoy a reading of both at this launch evening as we celebrate one of Swansea’s most cherished characters.  7pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre.  Free entry and wine.  For further details contact the Dylan Thomas Centre: dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 463980, Peter Read: peterread@ntlworld.com / 07931 614180 or Pinewood Press: 01792 207077 / 07946 584210.

Neath Port Talbot Library Services: Seminar on writing for pleasure and profit with Peter Read.  2pm at Port Talbot Library.  Free entry.  For further details contact Paul Doyle: p.a.doyle@npt.gov.uk / 01639 860000.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Fishguard Library: Poetry Allowed: Bring a poem by Maya Angelou to read and discuss.  6:30pm - 8:00pm at Fishguard Library.  Free and open to all.  For further details contact Christine Willison: christine.willison@pembrokeshire.gov.uk / 01437 776079.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Niall Griffiths discusses his work and reads from his next book Ten Pound Pom (Parthian, to be published shortly).  12pm - 2pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Nia Wyn: Blue Sky July (Seren, 2007) follows the story of a mother whose child suffers a devastating brain injury.  A Radio 4 Book of the Week.  11am - 2pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Gillian Clarke, the National Poet of Wales, reads and discusses her work as President of the Taliesin Trust which manages the Tŷ Newydd Centre.  Sally Baker, Centre Director will discuss the programmes and courses.  4pm - 5pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Library of Wales / Parthian Books Reception.  Meet the Editors and authors and dip into Welsh classics.  11:30am - 12:30pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Parthian Books: Dai Smith will be featuring in ’The Raymond Williams Lecture’ at 2pm at Hay Literary Festival.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633.

Academi: Wales Book of the Year 2008 Short List launch at 7:00pm on the Main Stage followed by a reception and book-signing from about 8:15pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Winning Stories: Eagle in the Maze.  Join Cinnamon Press, Academi and The Rhys Davies Trust at the Literature in Wales stand for the launch of Eagle in the Maze (Cinnamon Press), selected by Tessa Hadley and Meic Stephens, the anthology of the winning entries of the 2008 Rhys Davies Short Story Competition.  Plus talks and discussions with Rhys Davies Short Story Competition winners.  Hear excerpts of some of the winning stories and learn more about this prestigious prize that is helping to keep alive the short story form in Wales.  “You can put a whole world in a short story or next to nothing at all: anything’s permitted. In all eleven winning stories, what matters is that subject and form and language combine to make the sparks fly, to make something happen, something new.” - Meic Stephens & Tessa Hadley.  1:00pm - 2:30pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.  The Literature in Wales stand is a collaboration between Academi, The National Library of Wales, The Welsh Books Council, Welsh Assembly Government and Arts Council of Wales.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Menna Elfyn (Perfect Blemish: New & Selected Poems 1995-2007, Bloodaxe 2007), discusses her work as poet, dramatist, prose writer and Arts Council of Wales 2008 Creative Wales Award recipient.  During the afternoon at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Richard Gwyn reads from Deep Hanging Out (Snowbooks, 2007).  Richard Gwyn is a poet, novelist, translator and Arts Council of Wales 2008 Creative Wales Award recipient.  2pm - 5pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Mavis Nicholson meets visitors and discusses her childhood reminiscence Martha Jane and Me (Seren, 2008).  12 noon at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Owen Sheers, poet and novelist, reads from Resistance (Faber, 2007) and meets young members of the Powys Writing squads.  During the day at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay.  The periodical Poetry Wales was founded in 1965 and has an international reputation for fine writing and criticism.  Meet the new Editor, Zoë Skoulding and staff from the publisher Seren Books.  12 noon at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Aberystwyth Arts Centre / Parthian Books: Otherland: Contemporary Poems on Wales and Welsh-American Experience.  Parthian launch a collection by ten poets, each with an American background and an active, creative engagement with Wales.  Readings by anthology contributors David Lloyd (also the editor), Margaret Lloyd, Joseph Clancy, and Jon Dressel.  6:30pm at Aberystwyth Arts Centre Bookshop, Aberystwyth.  For further details contact Rosie Whitmore: acbstaff@aber.ac.uk.

Cinnamon Press: Because We’re Brilliant: The Hay on Wye launch of Dinner Time by Holly Howitt, Eva Shell by Kate North and The Fugitive Three by Mike Jenkins.  Join Cinnamon Press for an exciting event featuring three engaging and distinctive works of fiction – Holly Howitt’s innovative, surprising microfictions, Kate North’s multi-genre, multi-layered debut novel, Eva Shell and Mike Jenkins’ sharp, witty and convincing novella.  Jan Fortune-Wood will be introducing the authors: a chance to hear excerpts from these three innovative, engaging books, ask questions from the audience and buy signed copies.  11:30am at the Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For further details contact Jan Fortune Wood: jan@cinnamonpress.com.  For full festival details visit www.hayfestival.com

Seren Books: Mavis Nicholson will read from her book Martha Jane and Me as part of an event at 6:30pm - 8:00pm at Glynneath Library.  For further details contact Paul Doyle: p.a.doyle@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Robert Minhinnick reads from King Driftwood, (Carcanet, 2008). Robert is a poet, journalist and prose writer and an Arts Council of Wales 2008 Creative Wales Award recipient.  11am - 2pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Literature in Wales at Hay: Samantha Wynne Rhydderch reads from her new collection Not in These Shoes (Picador, 2008).  1:30pm - 3:00pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Dylan Thomas Centre: Poets in the Bookshop, featuring guest poet Cherry Smyth, who is also a visual arts curator.  Born in County Antrim, Cherry now lives in London.  Her latest collection One Wanted Thing is published by Lagan Press and her poetry has been described as ‘engaged, telling, vigourous, exciting…clear-sighted and unflinching.’  Plus usual slot for open mic readings.  7.30pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre.  Full Price £4, Concessions £2.80, Swansea PTL £1.60.  For further details contact the Dylan Thomas Centre: dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 463980.

Parthian Books: ReWind at 10am at Hay Literary Festival.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633.

Literature in Wales at Hay: To mark the year of publication of the Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales (University of Wales Press, 2008), editors John Davies, Menna Baines, Peredur Lynch and Nigel Jenkins talk about the great enterprise.  11am - 2pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

Dylan Thomas Centre: Roundyhouse event.  Celebrating the Welsh poetry magazine.  Readings by Herbert Williams, John Bilsborough and David Woolley, with MC Phil Carradice.  Plus Open Mic Night.  7.30pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre.  For further details contact the Dylan Thomas Centre: dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 463980.

Literature in Wales at Hay: John Goodby (uncaged sea, Waterloo Press, 2008), poet, lecturer at the University of Wales Swansea and member of Boiled String, multi-media experimental performance group will be at the stand.  11am - 1pm at the Literature in Wales Stand, Guardian Hay Festival, Hay on Wye.  For stand information and programme details click here.  For more information contact Academi: 029 2047 2266 / post@academi.org.

University of Wales, Swansea / Parthian Books: Otherland: Contemporary Poems on Wales and Welsh-American Experience.  Parthian launch a collection by ten poets, each with an American background and an active, creative engagement with Wales.  Readings by anthology contributors David Lloyd (also the editor) and Jon Dressel.  7:00pm at the University of Wales, Swansea.  For further details contact Nigel Jenkins: N.Jenkins@swansea.ac.uk or Dominic at Parthian: dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633.

DS3 - Festival of Digital Storytelling.  Following from the success of DS2, DS3 the third festival of Digital Storytelling aims to inspire, encourage and show the exciting possibilities of Digital Storytelling.  Whether you work in education, the community or as an artist, it is your opportunity to share experiences, explore new creative ideas, see the latest technological developments, look at examples of best practise in the U.K. and worldwide and celebrate the growing significance of Digital Storytelling.  At Aberystwyth Arts Centre.  For more information about the festival please visit: www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk/ds2.

Ceridwen Centre: Creative Writing Workshop with Phil Bowen - ‘A Fresh Look and a Fresh Listen.’  Participants should, if possible, bring a copy of any poem by Robert Frost and be prepared to create something new – poetry, prose or both.  10:00am - 12:00pm at the Ceridwen Centre, Drefelin, Carmarthenshire SA44 5XE.  Cost: £7.50.  Places should be booked in advance.  For further details and to book your place contact Simone Mansell Broome on 01559 370517 / simone@simonemb.com.  www.ceridwencentre.co.uk.

Trinity College, Carmarthen / Parthian Books: Otherland: Contemporary Poems on Wales and Welsh-American Experience.  Parthian launch a collection by ten poets, each with an American background and an active, creative engagement with Wales.  Readings by anthology contributors David Lloyd (also the editor) and Jon Dressel.  7:00pm at Archbishop Childs Hall, Trinity College, Carmarthen.  For further details contact or Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk or 01267 676633 or Menna Elfyn: m.elfyn@trinity-cm.ac.uk  /  menna@elfyn.fsnet.co.uk.  Part of Trinity Arts Festival.  Click here for festival programme details.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Parthian Books / Ffrinj Festival: Black Beach: Catalan Drama.  Script in Hand Readings.  7:00pm at The Boathouse, Laugharne.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633.

Neath Port Talbot Library Services: Talk by Andrew Taylor.  6:30pm at Sandfields Library.  Tickets £2.  For further details contact Paul Doyle: p.a.doyle@npt.gov.uk / 01639 860000.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Parthian Books / Dylan Thomas Centre: Raymond Williams - A Warrior’s Tale.  Professor Dai Smith in coversation with Professor M. Wynn Thomas about his latest book on on the life and work of Raymond Williams, the most influential post war socialist intellectual.  7:30pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea.  Entry £5, redeemable against purchase of a copy of Warrior’s Tale.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633.

Haverfordwest Library: What Poetry: A session to read and discuss "A Process in the Weather of the Heart" by Dylan Thomas.  6:30pm - 8:00pm at Haverfordwest Library.  Free and open to all.  For further details contact Christine Willison: christine.willison@pembrokeshire.gov.uk / 01437 776079.

Parthian Books / Ffrinj presents: Rewind.  Launch of an anthology by students of the MA Creative Writing.  7:00pm at Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse, Laugharne.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk or 01267 676633 or Menna Elfyn: m.elfyn@trinity-cm.ac.uk.  Part of Trinity Arts Festival.  Click here for festival programme details.

Dylan Thomas Centre: One-Act Plays Night.  A special performance of four one-act plays.  7.30pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre.  £3 full price, £2 concessions.  For further details contact the Dylan Thomas Centre: dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 463980.

Dylan Thomas Centre: Rough Diamonds #1.  An evening of rehearsed readings of drama extracts by students on the University of Wales Swansea MA Creative Writing course featuring exciting new dramatic works-in-progress in a programme directed by playwright D.J.Britton, lecturer in dramatic writing at Swansea University.  7.30pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre.  For further details contact the Dylan Thomas Centre: dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 463980.

Arts Council of Wales Annual Conference: ’Breaking Boundaries’.  At Aberystwyth Arts Centre.  For further details contact the Arts Council of Wales: 02920 376500.  www.artswales.org.uk.

Parthian Books: Two Continents meet Wales. Tishani Doshi and Jim Bowen.  7.30pm at Archbishop Childs Hall, Trinity College, Carmarthen.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk or 01267 676633 or Menna Elfyn: m.elfyn@trinity-cm.ac.uk.  Part of Trinity Arts Festival.  Click here for festival programme details.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Ceridwen Centre: Room To Write: Spiel Unlimited course. Fancy time away freeing up your creative juices with like-minded people? Want to pick up a pen, let your imagination wander, cast your words to the winds? Ever thought of treating yourself to a writing weekend? Whether your interest is in poetry, prose or performance, the course will provide opportunities for you to explore or expand your writing skills. The course will be delivered by writers Marcus Moore and Sara-Jane Arbury, who work together as Spiel Unlimited. Marcus has written Call My Bluff scripts for the BBC, had poems published by Macmillan, and run countless workshops in schools, libraries and prisons. Sara-Jane directs the voices off programme for Cheltenham Literature Festival, has toured nationally as a performer in the Bloodaxe production of Staying Alive, and was recently Herefordshire’s first writer-in-residence.  5pm Friday - 5pm Sunday at Ceridwen Centre: www.ceridwencentre.co.uk. Cost: £165 all inclusive. For more information and to book your place, contact Spiel Unlimited: 01285 640470 / 07814 830031 / email courses@spiel.wanadoo.co.uk.

Parthian Books: ’Crossing Literary Borders’.  Gee Williams and Caryl Lewis in conversation with Gwen Davies.  7:30pm at Archishop Childs Hall, Trinity College, Carmarthen.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: Dom@parthianbooks.co.uk or 01267 676633 or Menna Elfyn: m.elfyn@trinity-cm.ac.uk.  Part of Trinity Arts Festival.  Click here for festival programme details.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Ceridwen Centre: Monday Morning Masterclass: ‘If The Top Of My Head…’ - workshop at the with writers Sara-Jane Arbury and Marcus Moore.  “If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” Get inside your mind with Sara-Jane Arbury and Marcus Moore at a thought-provoking workshop probing the grey matter of writing poetry. Activities to stretch the intellect, heighten emotion and extend metaphors – from formal structures to free verse!  10:00am - 12:00pm at the Ceridwen Centre, Drefelin, Carmarthenshire.  Cost: £7.  Places should be booked in advance with Simone Mansell Broome on 01559 370517 / simone@simonemb.com.  www.ceridwencentre.co.uk

Parthian Books / Dylan Thomas Centre: Launch of Oh Dad! A Search for Robert Mitchum. An evening to celebrate the publication of Lloyd Robson’s book on Robert Mitchum.  Roobbeerrtt MMiittcchhuumm, aka ‘Mr Bad Taste’, ‘Trouble Himself’, ‘The Man with the Immoral Face’, ‘Daddy Bad’.  Mitchum was the original Hollywood bad-boy and one of the greatest screen actors of the twentieth century, but his pre-fame life is cloaked in mystery, the truth hidden within conflicting tales of time spent as a Depression-era hobo, prizefighter, escaped felon – and secret poet.  Poet Lloyd Robson spent three years trailing Mitchum’s early life through thirteen states along the Eastern Seaboard, searching for the facts of the man’s life, his lost poetry, America, a surrogate father, and how to be a man.  Reading, conversation and wine with Lloyd Robson.  7pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre.  For further details contact Dominic at Parthian: dom@parthianbooks.co.uk / 01267 676633 or the Dylan Thomas Centre: dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 463980.

Pembroke Dock Festival Group: Xpression Session with Anita Flowers.  10am - 3pm at Pembroke Dock Library.  For further details contact Sarah Payne: 0845 345 5031 / sarah.payne@co-op.co.uk.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Fishguard Library: Poetry Allowed: Mererid Hopwood will read her poetry.  Welsh readings with English introduction.  6:30pm - 8:00pm at Fishguard Library.  Free and open to all.  For further details contact Christine Willison: christine.willison@pembrokeshire.gov.uk / 01437 776079.  Supported by Academi (contact 029 2047 2266 for information on funding for events).

Dylan Thomas Centre: Rough Diamonds #2.  A second evening of rehearsed readings of drama extracts by students on the University of Wales Swansea MA Creative Writing course featuring exciting new dramatic works-in-progress in a programme directed by playwright D.J.Britton, lecturer in dramatic writing at Swansea University.  7.30pm at the Dylan Thomas Centre.  For further details contact the Dylan Thomas Centre: dylanthomas.lit@swansea.gov.uk / 01792 463980.

Kunselling Retreat Centre: Dream and Reality: A Writing Workshop in the beautiful hills near Hay-on-Wye.  Join novelist Des Barry for a weekend of writing and relaxation.  Enjoy delicious food, evenings around the log fire, and the exploration of your own creativity.  We’ll explore dream and observation in fiction and non-fiction.  We’ll also have time for writing and walking on the National Trust Land adjacent to the property.  Desmond Barry is the author of Cressida’s Bed, A Bloody Good Friday, and The Chivalry of Crime, all published by Jonathan Cape/Vintage. His short fiction and prose has been published in Granta and The New Yorker.  At Kunselling Retreat Centre, a seventeenth century farmhouse with a modern accommodation wing.  Cost: £120, including the workshop, two nights accommodation (shared rooms) and meals, which are mostly organic food.  For further details and to book (secured with £20 deposit), contact Nic Segust: kunsellingbookings@yahoo.co.uk or Judy Allan: allanjudith@googlemail.com.