What’s On

Author Talk and Q&A. Featuring Gwyneth Lewis and Susie Wild. Organised by Cardiff Literary Salon. At Sherman Cymru, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff, CF24 4YE. 8.00 pm - 9.00 pm. Ticket price tbc. Contact: Susie Wild 07896 304663 / susiewild@hotmail.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Storytelling evenings at Rhosygilwen. Featuring Christine Willison. Bring a story to refine, enhance your performance and presentation skills, inform your creative writing skills using the oral storytelling tradition. Share with the group the creative writing and stories produced so far (optional), prepare a story for performance/reading. Rhosygilwen Mansion, North Pembrokeshire, SA43 2TW. 6.30– 8pm. Entry £4. Contact: christinestories@yahoo.co.uk, 07527 142 102 for further information, www.christinestories.co.uk / www.rhosygilwen.co.uk

Crime Writing Workshop. Crime author Belinda Bauer will lead a practical workshop on writing plots for crime fiction and will reveal how to write fascinating beginnings and endings. 7.00 - 9.00 pm at Literature Wales’ Glyn Jones Centre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AL. The Crime workshop is free to attend but places must be reserved in advance. Please note, there are limited places available. This workshop is part of Literature Wales’ programme of activity at the Glyn Jones Centre. For more information and to book a place on this workshop contact Literature Wales: 029 2047 2266 / post@literaturewales.org

Celebrate Bob Dylan's Birthday with Muisc and Poetry. Readings by seven poets from seven decades, including: Phil Bowen, Damian Furniss, David Woolley and Ann Gray. Tickets £5. Time: 7.30pm. Venue: 4 The Promised Land, Windsor Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BX. Contact: seren@serenbooks.com

Poetry under Pressure: The German poets Uwe Kolbe and Richard Pietraß give a public reading from their works, with new translations made over the preceding months. You will hear specially selected poems which in some sense have been produced under pressure and highlight the range of these poets. The poems will be presented with introductions and also with translations into English (by Karen Leeder, Ruth Owen and David Clarke) and into Welsh (by Mererid Hopwood). 7.00 pm, Media Point, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.  Tickets: £3.00 on the door. For more information contact Prof. Gerrit-Jan Berendse, School of European Languages, Translation and Politics: 029 2087 4534 / BerendseGJ@cardiff.ac.uk Supported by Literature Wales.

Poetry under Pressure: An interview with Uwe Kolbe and Richard Pietraß, about their roles in the various German cultures they have experienced, including cultural policy, poetry and censorship, poetry magazines, urban poems, and poetry translation. Plus short talks from two invited speakers, one focussing on censorship in the GDR and the other on translating German poetry, and a book presentation concerning memory of the GDR. A free buffet lunch will be provided afterwards. All welcome. 10.00 am, Room 2.18, 65-68 Park Place, Cardiff.  For more information contact Prof. Gerrit-Jan Berendse, School of European Languages, Translation and Politics: 029 2087 4534 / BerendseGJ@cardiff.ac.uk Supported by Literature Wales.

Harlech 394 is a writing initiative involving over 40 students from Ysgol Tanycastell, Harlech. The students have worked with artist Sean Harris and author Cath Aran in developing stories inspired by Harlech Castle. In association with CADW and Cytser. Location: Harlech Castle, Harlech, LL46 2YH. 1.30pm - 2.30pm. Contact: menna@cytser.com.

The Dylan Thomas Centre presents an exciting evening of poetry and music with Chris Torrance and Chris Vine, otherwise known as the Heat Poets at 7.30pm. Location: Dylan Thomas Centre  1 Somerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR. Tickets are available on: 01792 463980 or at www.ticketsource.co.uk/dylanthomas  - Full Price: £5  Concessions: £3.50  Swansea PTL: £1.80. Supported by Literature Wales.

Author Talk. Featuring Jon Gower and Francesca Rhydderch. Organised by Ceredigion Library. At Aberystwyth Library, Corporation Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2BU. 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm. Free entry. Contact: Abigail Crook 01970 633702 / abigailc@ceredigion.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

Twelve writers gathered from across the globe to make, break and take rules, risk and morality. Join them for an evening of literary indulgence at one of the venues on their Welsh Reading Tour. The tour will visit the following locations:

Monday 28 May, 7.30pm, Special Guest Readers at
Poems and Pints at the Queens, Carmarthen SA31 1JR, £3 on the door.
Thursday 7 June, 7.00pm, The Boathouse, Laugharne SA33 4SD, as part of the 2012 Ffrinj Festival, Entry £3. Saturday 23 June, 11.00am, Waterstone’s, Guildhall Square, Carmarthen SA31 1PR, as part of the Oldest Town Music Festival. Free entry.
Saturday 30 June, 9.00pm, Dinefwr Literature Festival, Dinefwr Park and Castle SA19 6RT.
Festival tickets available at: www.dinefwrliteraturefestival.co.uk . For further information contact:  Mhari@lifelightdesigns.com  . Supported by Literature Wales.
  

Modern Romance Writing Workshop. Join writer and reporter Jo Carnegie to explore the art of Modern Romance writing and learn how to create a whole range of specific character for romance novels. 7.00 - 9.00 pm at Literature Wales’ Glyn Jones Centre, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AL. The Modern Romance workshop is free to attend but places must be reserved in advance. Please note, there are limited places available. This workshop is part of Literature Wales’ programme of activity at the Glyn Jones Centre. For more information and to book a place on this workshop contact Literature Wales: 029 2047 2266 / post@literaturewales.org

The Absurd Presents…. Featuring Jon Ronson. Organised by The Absurd. At Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 1YA. Evening (email Sophie for exact times). Tickets: £10/£8. Contact: Sophie McKeand 01352 758558 / sophie@theabsurd.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

Poems and Pints with Patrick Jones. Tickets: £2 donation to help raise money for a wreath to Dic Penderyn. Venue: Imperial Hotel, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Contact: the Dic Penderyn Society on 01685 377883.

Damian Walford Davies’s new poetry collection, Witch (Seren). Thirteen voices bring to life the thrilling tensions of a Suffolk village in the throes of the witch hunts of the mid-seventeenth century.  Featuring: Jayne Archer, Tiffany Atkinson,  John Barnie,  Oliver Bevington, Matthew Francis, Jamie Harris, Clive Hicks-Jenkins, Sue Jones-Davies, Jemma Lewis King, Richard Marggraf Turley, Jem Poster, Kathryn Stansfield and Damian Walford Davies. Location: The Studio, Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm. Tickets: £6.50/£4.50. Contact: Aberystwyth Arts Centre Box Office on (01970) 623232.

John Greeves, Chris Kinsey and Brian Smith help celebrate Randyhouse 35 the History Issue. Exhibition of work by Diane Horne and Frankie Locke. Location: ORIEL Canfas Gallery, 44a Glamorgan Street, Canton CF5 1QS. Time: 7pm. Free admission.

Randyhouse Reading. Named speakers include Chris Kinsey, John Greeves and Brian Smith. Open Mic in second half - performers encouraged. Also art show including work by Frankie Locke and Diane Horne. 7pm.  At Oriel Canfas Gallery, Glamorgan Street, Canton, Cardiff. Contact: Phil Carradice, 26a Pinewood Square, St Athan or Tel 01446 751722.2

Author Talk & Open Mic. Featuring Niall Griffiths. Organised by The Cellar Bards. At The Cellar Bar, 25/6 Quay Street, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 1HU. 7.30 pm - 10.00 pm. Entry: £3. Contact: Charlotte Mathias 01239 612202 / charlottep2001@yahoo.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

Launch Night! Couplet Books wants to run six weekly workshops for local people in the town of Talgarth, Wales, in which they will learn about various poetic techniques, and write poems about the Mill and the surrounding area. These poems will then be organised in to a book, The Talgarth Mill Poetry Companion, and put on sale in the gift shop and other places in the local area, with all the proceeds going to help fund the continuing Mill project. The course of classes will cost £120, beginning in the first week of April, and running for 6 weeks. To attend, please pledge the £120 reward. The tutor for this course is Angela Topping. Based in Cheshire, and a one time poet-in-residence at St Luke's hospice, she has more than twenty years classroom experience as an English and Drama teacher, as well as regularly reading, and running workshops for any age group and poets-in-schools work. She is the author of three solo collections of poetry, has edited two books and written two critical books (for Greenwich Exchange) with a third in progress. Contact Owen Davidson: owen@couletbooks.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

NaCOT - On the border. Featuring Peter Finch and Matt Harvey. Location: The Drill Hall, Lower Church Street, Chepstow, NP16 5HJ. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £12 (£10 concessions).                  Visit: www.poetryontheborder.org.

The Poetry Experience: a Workshop of Poetry of your own choice with Nigel Humphreys. Bring copies. Free entry. Location: The Arts Centre, Aberystwyth. Time: 2-5 pm.
Contact: nigeldhumphreys@gmail.com  or phone 01970 820636.
 

The launch of Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch's 'Banjo' and Damian Walford Davies 'Witch'. Location: Summerhouse, Hay Festival. 5.15pm. Contact: sassy@rhydderch.com.

Writing for Newspapers with Jill Forward. At Swansea Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea. From 7:00pm to 9:00pm. ree entry for members, guests pay £2.50. Organised by Swansea Writer's Circle. Contact - Alan Bryant: 01792 526365 / alan.bryant@ntlworld.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Launch of Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch’s third collection, Banjo. At the heart of Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch’s new book is a remarkable tale of darkness and light, music and silence. Celebrating the centenary of Captain Scott’s arrival at the South Pole in 1912, Banjo gives us new psychological insight into the lives of the early Antarctic pioneers, as well as an extraordinary account of the role played by music in surviving the long Antarctic winters. The night before his ship left the port of Cardiff, a dinner was held by Cardiff’s civil dignitaries for Scott and his officers at the Royal Hotel in June 1910. The launch will take place in this very same room! 6.30pm. Scott Room of the Royal Hotel in Cardiff with a free glass of wine and musical accompaniment. Supported  by Literature Wales.

Hay Poetry Jamboree. Running Thursday through to Saturday. Friday performers include: Andrea Brady and John Powell Ward. Saturday's performers include: Jeremy Hilton, Steven Hitchins, Simon Jenner, David Pollard, Caroline Goodwin, Harry Gilonis, Laurie Duggam and many more. Saturday's performers include: David Greenslade, Keith Hackwood, Tim Atkins, Ulli Freer, Tont Lopez and many more. Location: Oriell Gallery of Contemporary Arts, Salem Chapel, Bell Bank, Hay on Wye. Evening events £5 (£3 concessions) other events: £2 (£1 concessions). Contact: goodbard@yahoo.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

4th Hay Poetry Jamboree. Thursday: 6.30pm: Reception and Festival Launch. 7.30pm: Andrea Brady and John Powell Ward. Friday: 11.00 -12.00pm: Stephen Hitchins, Jeremy Hilton, Waterloo Press presentation (Simon Jenner and David Pollard). 14.00 - 16.00pm: Harry Gilonis, Caroline Goodwin, Laurie Duggan, Philip Terry. 17.00 - 18.00pm: The Hay Jam Lecture: Andrew Duncan - ‘Port of Souls’: or, Landscape, Inheritance, Myth. 19.30pm: Harriet Tarlo and Peter Larkin. Saturday: 11.00 - 12.00 noon: David Greenslade, Keith Hackwood. 14.00 - 16.00 pm: Jeff Hilson, Nerys Williams, Tim Atkins, Sophie Robinson. 19.30pm: Ulli Freer and Tony Lopez. Plus: Art in the Chapel: Nervous Energy in collaboration with the Elysium Gallery present ‘From Womb to Tomb, from Paradise to Purgatory’. Entrance to 7.30 events £5.00 (concessions £3.00). Entrance to all other events £2.00 (concessions £1.00). Hay Poetry Jamboree all events ticket £20.00 (concessions £10.00). Supported by Literature Wales.

Author Talk. Featuring Beryl Baigent. Organised by I*D Books. At Shotton Community Centre, Plymouth Street, Shotton, Flintshire, CH5 1JD. 7.30 pm - 9.30 pm. Entry: £3.00. Contact: Maureen Coppack 01244 811048 / coppack@dsl.pipex.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Storyteller Daniel Morden, together with musicians Oliver Wilson-Dickson, Luke Carver Goss and Sarah Moody perform tales that inspired Shakespeare and Chaucer. Location: Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, Event 405, 8pm. Visit www.hayfestival.com. Contact: 01497 822629.

The Literary Conference: Writing in a Digital Age. Featuring Hari Kunzru, Kate Mosse, Nicola Morgan, Robert Kroese, Kerry Young, Claire Armistead, David Godwin, Simon Trewin, Cathryn Summerhaves, Maria Rejt and many more. An up-to-the-minute conference to make sense of the many possibilities open to writers today, with practical sessions, case studies, working examples, debates and networking. Organised by The Literary Consultancy. Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Rd , EC1R 3GA London. Tickets: £383.50/ £328.50 O.A.P rate/ £233.50 students and unemployed rate. Those booking the The Literary Conference before April 30th will be eligible to receive a TLC manuscript assessment at 50% off on 50 page extracts. For more information: please contact the TLC office at info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk or call us at 020 7324 2570.

 

Pomes Penyeach – a montly poetry evening with open mic hosted by Brian Smith. With June Douglas Houston. 7.30 pm start. Pontardawe Arts Centre. For further information, contact Angie Dickinson a.dickinson@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk

Open Mic Night with David E Oprava. At the Imperial Hotel, High Street, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil. At 7:30pm. Free Entry. Organised by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Contact - Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

The Word Distillery Poets Workshop. Free. The Arts Centre, Aberystwyth. 2-5 pm. Contact Nigel Humphreys at nigeldhumphreys@gmail.com  or 01970820636.  

Poetry Writing Workshop. Featuring Philip Gross. Organised by Cross Border Poets. At Cymau Community Centre, Cymau Lane, Cymau, Flintshire, LL11 5E. 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Tickets: £10. Contact: Robbie Burton 01978 761177 / robbie@rmburton.plus.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Storytelling evenings at Rhosygilwen. Featuring Christine Willison. Storytelling for the Solstice, Reading and performing stories to an audience (optional). Rhosygilwen Mansion, North Pembrokeshire, SA43 2TW. 6.30– 8pm. Entry £4. Contact: christinestories@yahoo.co.uk, 07527 142 102 for further information, www.christinestories.co.uk / www.rhosygilwen.co.uk

Author Talk. Featuring M.H. Hall. Organised by Ceredigion Library. At Aberystwyth Library, Corporation Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2BU. 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm. Free entry. Contact: Abigail Crook 01970 633702 / abigailc@ceredigion.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

This master class will involve an in depth analysis of the art of writing poetry, studying the various techniques of writing in rich poetic language.  There will be an analysis of the work of the Dadaist poets, Plath, Eliot and others. Time: 9.30-4.30pm. Cost: £45. Location: University of Glamorgan Lifelong Learning.  Contact: 01443 482828 or view: http://cell.glam.ac.uk/media/files/documents/2012-01-13/Summer_School_Brochure.pdf

In this 3-day course at St Donats Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, professional storyteller Jamie Crawford provides a practical hands-on approach to all aspects of getting started with storytelling, through composition, rehearsal, and telling. Course Cost: £132. Optional B&B accommodation is also available from £15 +VAT per night. Location: St Donats Castle, Vale of Glamorgan CF61 1WF. For further information and booking form, visit http://www.beyondtheborder.com/get-involved/summerschools/     or email: volunteers@beyondtheborder.com

A rare opportunity for more experienced performers to work with Italian performance storyteller Paola Balbi as she leads an in-depth exploration of theatrical storytelling based on Boccaccio's Decameron. Course Cost:  £132. Optional B&B accommodation is also available from £15 +VAT per night. Location: St Donats Castle, Vale of Glamorgan CF61 1WF. For further information and booking form, visit http://www.beyondtheborder.com/get-involved/summerschools/    or email: volunteers@beyondtheborder.com
 

This two day course will consist of an analysis of all aspects of poetry writing from the lyric, the prose poem, experimental poetry and freestyle. There will be an examination of the works of other poets such as Heaney, Ginsberg, Plath and others. Time: 9.30-4.30pm. Cost: £90. The tutor will also be able to advise on how to get work published, as well as competition opportunities. Location: University of Glamorgan Lifelong Learning. Contact: 01443 482828 or visit: http://cell.glam.ac.uk/media/files/documents/2012-01-13/Summer_School_Brochure.pdf

A weekend of stories and music from around the world, in a fairy-tale castle by the sea. Includes: Epic Poets from Kazakhstan; 200 years of Grimms with The Company of Storytellers; Erica Wagner (Times Lit Editor) talks Myth with Niall Griffiths, Salley Vickers, Russell Celyn Jones; Persian Music and Poetry; Stories For Health with Dan Yashinsky (Canada) and Taffy Thomas MBE;  Hugh Lupton (The Ballad of John Clare); Cat Weatherill (Barkbelly); Nick Jubber (Drinking Arak Off an Ayatollah’s Beard); Sally Pomme Clayton (stories from Central Asia); Guto Dafis,  Esyllt Harker, Michael Harvey, Daniel Morden and many more. Location: St Donats Castle, Vale of Glamorgan CF61 1WF. Full weekend £100 including camping; day/evening tickets £25
Visit: www.beyondtheborder.com or contact: 01446 799 100.

Writing fiction for Children with Colin Parsons. At Swansea Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea. From 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Free entry for members, guests pay £2.50. Organised by Swansea Writer's Circle. Contact - Alan Bryant: 01792 526365 / alan.bryant@ntlworld.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

S.E.Jenkins, of the Bolingbrook Writers' Association, will be reading extracts from her newly published book 'The Kookaburra Bird'.  Mike Greaney will also be showcasing a photographic display. 7pm - 9pm at the Flint Library, Church Street, Flint. Contact Norma Jones: 07951 696774.

Caerleon Festival Literary Weekend - Authors' Day. With contributions by Paul Flynn MP, poet Catherine Fisher, author Tim Lebbon, broadcaster Jon Gower, fiction author Ben Kane and broadcaster Adrian Masters. Location: Priory Hotel, Caerleon.Tickets £2.00 per session or £7.00 for day. Under 16s free. Contact: richardframe@hotmail.co.uk. Further details. www.caerleon-arts.org.
 

Caerleon Festival Literary Weekend - All Wales Comic Verse Competition Final. Ten finalists battle it out. Guest judges: Roy Noble, Paul Flynn, Mab Jones, Siriol Jenkins and Peter Manley. Location: Priory Hotel, Caerleon. Tickets £3.00. Under 16s free. Contact: richardframe@hotmail.co.uk  .Further details. www.caerleon-arts.org.  
 

Bath House Bards Poetry Evening. Featuring Gillian Clarke. Organised by Celf Caerleon Arts Festival. 7.30 pm - 9.15 pm. Free Entry. Contact: www.caerleon-arts.org or Jenny Perkins 01633 421047 / mperk88983@aol.com. Supported by Literature Wales (click here for information on funding for events).

NaCOT fathers and sons Woodland Story Adventure Weekend. Featuring William Ayot and Sebastian Kelly. As part of NaCOT's drive to put story and poetry to work in the community, we are pleased to announce that we have re-instituted a successful series of residential events that evolved during the 1990s, recommended age for sons 9-15years . Organised by NaCOT. Hazel Hill, Nr. Salisbury, Wiltshire. Friday 13th July, 7.00pm – Sunday 15th July, 3pm. £200 per pair (£25 per extra son). tel: +44 (0)1291 638807 email: info@ontheborder.org.

Open mic night with Rhian Edwards. At The Imperial Hotel, High Street, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil. At 7:30pm. Free Entry. Organised by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Contact - Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

With Philip Gross, recent T.S. Eliot Prize winner, reading from Deep Field.  Anne Cluysenaar, reading from her latest collection, Migrations. Tickets: £10, concessions £9, includes refreshments and raffle. Purchase tickets on the night or by post from: V.A. Evans, 10 Pontrhydyrun Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1SB. Cheques payable to V.A. Evans. Please enclose S.A.E. All proceeds to fund training of two South Wales Quakers for Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. www.eappi.org
 

The Absurd Presents….An Evening of Spoken Word. Featuring Gwyn Parry. Organised by The Absurd. At Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 1YA. 7.00 pm. Tickets: £6/£5. Contact: Sophie McKeand 01352 758558 / sophie@theabsurd.co.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

This year’s programme includes workshops and evening performances with Xanthe Gresham.
Come and discover your own unique voice as a storyteller… immerse yourself in the ancient art of storytelling in a converted barn among the Welsh hills. A storytelling course like no other…’Course Tutors - MICHAEL HARVEY and HAZEL BRADLEY. The focus is practical with ample time to work in groups and and individually in the story soaked atmosphere of rural Mid-Wales. Participants are encouraged to find their own unique voice within a supportive and like-mined group with tuition from top storytellers. There is also ample time to tell, both in pairs and small groups as well as in the two evening ceilidhs which are open to the public.Contact:The Bleddfa Centre on: 01547 550 377 or email: enquiries@bleddfacentre.com
Web: http://www.bleddfacentre.com

Open mic night with David Lloyd. At The Imperial Hotel, High Street Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil. At 7:30pm. Free Entry. Organised by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Contact - Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

Creative Writing Workshop. Featuring Catriona Ryan. Organised by Swansea & District Writers' Circle. At County Hall Council Chambers, Swansea, SA1 9SA. 7.00 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Alan Bryant 01792 526365 / alan.bryant@ntlworld.com. Supported by Literature Wales (click here for information on funding for events).

Red Poets 18 Launch - £4 entry includes a copy of the new magazine. Venue: Imperial Hotel, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Contact: art@merthyr.gov.uk  / 01685 725382.

Lecture on The Library of Wales Series. Featuring Dai Smith. Organised by Newport & Gwent Literary Club (www.newportandgwentliterarysociety.wordpress.com). At Holiday Inn, The Coldra, Newport, NP18 2YG. 6.30 pm. Entry: £18 (includes dinner). Contact: R.T. Mole 01633 256660 / bob.grimspound@googlemail.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Writing and Publishing Novels with Brian John. At Swansea Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea. From 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Tickets - £2.50. Organised by Swansea Writer's Circle. Contact - Alan Bryant: 01792 526365 / alan.bryant@ntlworld.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Open Mic Night with Ric Hool. Free entry. Venue: Imperial Hotel, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Contact: art@merthyr.gov.uk / 01685 725382. Supported by Literature Wales.

Open Mic with Ric Hool. At the Imperial Hotel, High Street, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil. At 7:30pm. Free Entry. Organised by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Contact - Gus Payne: 01685 825382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk. supported by Literature Wales.

Contemporary Poetry Reading. Featuring Patrick Jones & Roger Yates. Organised by The Collective. At the Hen & Chicks Pub, Flannel Street, Abergavenny. 8 pm. Tickets: On the door. Contact: Ric Hool 01495 292271 / richardhool05@aol.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Lecture on Arthur Machen. Featuring Juliette Wood. Organised by Newport & Gwent Literary Club (www.newportandgwentliterarysociety.wordpress.com). At Holiday Inn, The Coldra, Newport, NP18 2YG. 6.30 pm. Entry: £18 (includes dinner). Contact: R.T. Mole 01633 256660 / bob.grimspound@googlemail.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Submitting novels for publication and quick reads with Alison Stokes. Invaluable information for those intending to write and publish for current markets. At Swansea Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea. From 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Free entry for members, guests pay £2.50. Contact - Alan Bryant: 01792 526365 / alan.bryant@ntlworld.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Open Mic night with John Freeman. At The Imperial Hotel, HIgh Street, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil. At 7:30pm. Free Entry. Organised by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Contact - Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk. Supported by Literature Wales.

Contemporary Poetry Reading. Featuring Roger Garfitt & Paul Worthington. Organised by The Collective. At the Hen & Chicks Pub, Flannel Street, Abergavenny. 8 pm. Tickets: On the door. Contact: Ric Hool 01495 292271 / richardhool05@aol.com. Supported by Literature Wales.

Workshop on the Construction of a Novel. Featuring Catrin Collier. Organised by Swansea & District Writers' Circle. At County Hall Council Chambers, Swansea, SA1 9SA. 7.00 pm. Free Entry. Contact: Alan Bryant 01792 526365 / alan.bryant@ntlworld.com. Supported by Literature Wales (click here for information on funding for events).

Open Mic Night with Harry Freeman. Free entry. Venue: Imperial Hotel, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Contact: art@merthyr.gov.uk  / 01685 725382.

Lecture on The Art of Criticism; The Art of Creative Writing. Featuring Nigel Jarrett. Organised by Newport & Gwent Literary Club (www.newportandgwentliterarysociety.wordpress.com). At Holiday Inn, The Coldra, Newport, NP18 2YG. 6.30 pm. Entry: £18 (includes dinner). Contact: R.T. Mole 01633 256660 / bob.grimspound@googlemail.com. Supported by Literature Wales.