What’s On

Merthyr Rising Poems and Pints night, with Mike Church and open mic session celebrating Dic Penderyn and the Merthyr Rising of 1831. The Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. For more information please contact Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk

Writers in Schools Skills Sharing day. Following the success of the Writers in Schools Skill Sharing Day last year, NAWE is running a similar event this year in partnership with Bath Festivals, KEAP, and Literature Works. The day, hosted by Bath Spa University, will include a wide range of workshops relevant for writers and education practitioners who work in schools and other formal and non-formal educational settings. Corsham Court, near Bath. For more information, visit the NAWE website.

Novel in Progress. A workshop with the award-winning Welsh writer Trezza Azzopardi. Whether you need a new impetus to finish your novel, techniques to move the story forward, or a fresh look at a specific aspect of your writing, this course will provide you with the inspiration to bring your work to completion. Novel in Progress is aimed at writers who are working on their novel, whether writing a first draft or in the process of revision. Horta Writing Centre, Els Ports National Park, Catalonia, Spain. For more information, visit www.hortawriting.com / info@hortawriting.com

Memories of Revolution with Chris Keil and Julian Preece. Keil’s novel, Flirting at the Funeral, is set against a background of global crisis and is haunted by memories of revolution and terror. Preece’s study, Baader Meinhof and the Novel, explores forty years of myths and conspiracy theories about the German Autumn. They talk to Gwen Davies. Digital Stage, Hay Festival. 4.00 pm. Tickets: £5. For more information, contact the Hay Festival: 01497 822629 / website

First Thursday: New Poetry and Fiction, with ‘open-mic.’ Christopher Meredith will be reading from his striking new collection of poetry, Air Histories.  We will be launching Francesca Rhydderch’s new novel, Rice Paper Diaries, the epic tale of a family across three generations. Lesley Saunders is the author of several books of poetry and will be reading from her Mulfran press booklet. Chapter Arts Centre, Canton, Cardiff. 7:30pm. Tickets: £2.50. For more information contact Amy Wack: amylwack@aol.com / www.serenbooks.com Supported by Seren Books, Literature Wales and Mulfran Press.

An Evening of Storytelling with Daniel Morden. Organised by NaCOT - On the Border. The Drill Hall, Lower Church St., Chepstow NP16 5HJ. 7.30 pm. Tickets: £12 (£10 concession). For more information visit www.poetryontheborder.org

Riotous Rhondda. Join Treorchy author Rachel Trezise, Rhondda-bred writer, singer and actor Boyd Clack and the Library of Wales series editor Professor Dai Smith for a bus tour through the ups and downs of Riotous Rhondda. Enjoy rolling commentary from Boyd Clack, readings from Rachel Trezise’s books in the places that inspired them, and extracts from local Library of Wales classics including works by Ron Berry, Rhys Davies, Gwyn Thomas and Alun Richards. Expect big views, tales of Tonypandy riots and a bookish encounter in a familiar Italian café. In partnership with Parthian Books and the Library of Wales series. Part of Literature Wales' Literary Tourism programme 2013 but organised by Parthian Books. Contact: Susie Wild susiewild@hotmail.com

Open Mic Night with Robert Minhinnick, plus music from Chris Hastings/Huw Pudner. Biodiversity Evening. The Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Free entry. Please contact Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk.

Pembrokeshire Folk Tales. Christine Willison will be launching her new book, reading extracts and signing books and mounted copies of the illustrations. Waterstones, Cardiff. 11.00am – 3.00pm. The book will be published in April by History Press. For more information, contact Christine Willison: christinestories@yahoo.co.uk

Reading for Pleasure: Creating Lifelong Readers. Organised by Cardiff School of Education. This timely and inspirational conference focuses on the significance of children reading for pleasure and becoming readers for life. Keynote speakers: Marilyn Brocklehurst, Patrice Baldwin, Prue Goodwin. Workshops by: Tom Palmer, Patrice Baldwin, Patrick Ryan, Wyl Menmuir, Paul Doyle, Jo Bowers and Susan Davis. Cyncoed Campus, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff. 9.00 am – 4.00 pm. Tickets: £150/£120. To book your place please email cseenterprise@cardiffmet.ac.uk / 029 2041 6577/7078

Screen of Brightness Launch. Join Fiona Owen & Meredith Andrea launching their collaborative collection. Cakes & drinks provided – bring a picnic and listen to Fiona & Meredith supported by a range of guest poets. Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 7UG. 2.00 p.m.  For more information contact Jan Fortune: jan@cinnamonpress.com / www.cinnamonpress.com

Yeats Day Festival. Sligo celebrates from dawn to dusk. A fun packed day with something to offer all ages and tastes, featuring Michael Fish, Andres Eiricksson, Aleck Crichton, Brian Leyden, Eithne Hand and many more. Sligo, Ireland. Most events are free. For more information please contact Corienne Mclean: mcleancorienne@gmail.com

Awkward Turtle Flips the Bird. Lexicographer and man-of-the-arts, Terry Victor, editor of the New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, is attempting to turn the page and stage a dictionary. Impossible, you cry! Certainly, to the best of anyone’s knowledge, it’s not been done before.  Three performances at Chapter, Cardiff. Admission is free but tickets are limited. Details from Chapter’s Box Office: 02920 311050 / www.chapter.org

Graduate College Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Symposium: CONSTRUCTING IDENTITIES AND CHANGING SPACES IN WALES. Keynote Speaker: Prof. Damian Walford Davies. This symposium will explore how Welsh identities have been constructed, represented, and transformed through history. Cardiff University. Submissions are invited that engage with any aspect of Welsh identity (or identities) and the transformations that it has undergone in and through time. Proposals for 20-minute papers (in either English or Welsh) should be sent to Siriol McAvoy and Lisa Sheppard (Identities@cardiff.ac.uk). DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS: MONDAY 15 APRIL 2013.  For more information, visit constructingidentitiescardiff.wordpress.com

Poetry, People, Place. A day conference looking at ‘Top Church’ not just as a fine example of the work of the remarkable architect William Butterfield, but connecting it to the community through poetry and local history. With star speakers Gillian Clarke (National Poet of Wales), Alan Thorne  (local historian) and Phil Thomas (architectural historian). St Augustine’s Church, Penarth. 10.15 am – 3.30pm. Tickets: £15 (including lunch) / £7 (without lunch). For more information please contact the Friends of St Augustine’s: 02920 707828 / richardgriffiths473@btinternet.com

The Arthur Machen Weekend – A Literary Appreciation. The Caerleon Arts Festival celebrates Arthur Machen’s 150th Anniversary.
Saturday 6. Godfrey Brangham, Catherine Fisher, Rev. Mark Lawson Jones, Merlin Coverley, Robert Kingham, Gwilym Games. Priory Hotel Gardens, Caerleon. £2.00 per speaker or £10 for day.
Saturday 6. A selection of local stories by Arthur Machen read by Goff Morgan in the house where the writer was born. 7.30 p.m. Tickets £4.00 limited to 20.
Sunday 7. The Machen Country walk. Walk and readings through the Sor Valley. Followed by lunch at Llansor Mill. Tickets £8.00. (lunch included) Limited to 35.
For further information contact: richardframe@hotmail.co.uk /  www.caerleon-arts.org

Arthur Machen Reading. A selection of Arthur Machen’s London works read by Robert Kingham. Old Baptist Chapel, Caerleon. 7.30pm. Tickets: £4.00 limited to 20. For further information contact: richardframe@hotmail.co.uk /  www.caerleon-arts.org

Poetry in the Baths - Bathhouse Bards. An evening of poetry reading given by Dannie Abse supported by members of UWN Young Scribblers' Society - a group of literature undergraduates. 7 p.m. Caerleon Roman Baths. Tickets £5/further information from: www.caerleon-arts.org Tourist Information Centre 01633 422656 Rafi Goldsmith 01633 430271 Ffwrwm Arts & Crafts High St. NP18 1AG

Bath House Bards with Danny Abse and guests. A Caerleon Arts Festival Literary Event. Poetry in the Roman Baths. Ticket prices to be announced. For more information, visit  www.caerleon-arts.org

Open Mic Night with Katherine Stansfield. The Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Free entry. Please contact Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk.

An Evening with John Hegley. A Caerleon Arts Festival Literary Event. The Town Hall, Caerleon. Tickets: £12. For more information, visit  www.caerleon-arts.org

Meet the Authors. A Caerleon Arts Festival Literary Event with Phil Carradice, Jasper Fforde, M.R.Hall, Bernard Knight, Grant Sutherland. Chaired by Adrian Masters. Priory Hotel Gardens, Caerleon. Tickets: £2.00 per writer or £8.00 for the day. For more information, visit  www.caerleon-arts.org

The 2nd Annual ‘All Wales Comic Verse Competition Final’. Hosted by Goff Morgan. Priory Hotel Gardens, Caerleon. Tickets: £3.00, free under 16. For more information, visit  www.caerleon-arts.org

Digital Publishing. The course (held on 18, 19, 25 and 26 July) introduces publishers, journalists and design professionals to the practical techniques of developing and distributing e-books and e-magazines. It explores e-book markets, budgeting for development and production and design and provides participants with a hands-on experience of creating e-publications. University of South Wales, Newport City Campus. 9.30 am – 5.00 pm. A confirmed place on this requires a contribution of £50 towards training cost. For more information, contact Skillset Academi+: 01633 432342 / Alex.Leadley@southwales.ac.uk

 Open Mic Night with Anne Cluysenaar. The Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Free entry. Please contact Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk.

The Collective. Poetry readings by Lee Harwood, Peter Finch and Frank Olding. 8 p.m. Hen & Chicks, Flannel Street, Abergavenny. £5 entry. For more information contact: Ric Hool 01495 292271 Richardhool05@aol.com Supported by Literature Wales.

'Red Poets 19' launch. The Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. £4 entry, which includes a free copy of the magazine. Please contact Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk.

'Letter From the Future' Reading. Sustainable Wales present John Barnie reading his Letter from the Future. 'Sustainable Wales'  5, James St., Porthcawl CF36 3BG. 8.00pm. All welcome. For further information contact Robert Minhinnick: 01656 783962 / robertm@phonecoop.coop Supported by Literature Wales.

Open Mic Night with Dai George. The Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Free entry. Please contact: Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk.

Open Mic Night with Tim Liardet. The Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Free entry. Please contact Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk.

Open Mic Night with Paul Steffan Jones. The Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8UH. Free entry.
Please contact Gus Payne: 01685 725382 / gus.payne@merthyr.gov.uk.