Janette Ayachi's A Choir of Ghosts, Edinburgh 18th August 2013

At Word Power Books - a destination in itself - Calder Wood Press are holding the launch of Janette Ayachi's new book A Choir of Ghosts. Ayachi is a poet and writer based in Edinburgh who often works ekphastically and in collaboration with artists. (Nice. Think Browning. Think Auden. Think Jean 'Binta' Breeze.) This event is part of the Edinburgh Book Fringe 2013.

You can find Word Power at 43-45 West Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9DB near the mosque and opposite a nice pub. The event starts at midday and it is free.

More information about the event here http://www.word-power.co.uk/viewEvent.php?id=3073.

In the forest

This poem has been haunting me this week here at p&g. It picked itself.

What I like about Zhang Zao's 1996 poem especially is that everything happens at the same time. A poem of transformation written in 3D. So the forest is like a generator, squirrels make telephone calls long distance, china shops, bills and ballet in the mist and vegetation. "You walk about,as if the forest isn't in the forest." And yet it becomes more forest because of it.

And that it was written on New Year's Day so it fits in with a whole other genre of new year poetry.

And Brian Holton's translation!

He feels he's got from the universe, for the first time, a pair of hands and violence.

Zhang Zao tweet poetry

Zhang Zao (1962–2010) was a Chinese poet and academic whose goal was to “transform one’s self and life”.

This tweet poetry is from his poem In the forest translated by Brian Holton (who was born in p&g's neck of the woods). The full poem can be found in Jade Ladder, the Bloodaxe anthology of contemporary Chinese poetry.

More information here http://www.poetryinternationalweb.net/pi/site/poet/item/979/Zhang-Zao

More riverbank listening

Where the tributaries meet the river, and really it is better than the sea in some cases (whatever the Waterboys say...)

Image by Jules Horne

Check out further responses from World Listening Day here http://workingthetweed.co.uk/2013/06/30/riverbank-listening-a-world-listening-day-project/

Valve the Third: Showcase Evening Glasgow, Scotland 3rd August 2013

Valve 3! It is coming and to celebrate sneak in a night out with the Valve crew.

"From experimental prose to poems and porn – it’s what you might call a ‘mixed bag’ of literary wonderment. " And a quick sneak preview is in the offing plus light schmoozing and conversation...what could be nicer?

7pm until 11pm and only £3...

More details here https://www.facebook.com/events/472797946144162/

Meet poetandgeek.com

In case you missed this, come and meet poetandgeek.com on the 31st August 2013 along with three more great poets...how often do you get a chance like this? Not often. Can't promise that we tell you everything but will attempt to...

Discover what's what in the Scottish poetry scene and beyond. And how you can run an online magazine too. Plus there are nibbles. And it is free. So it follows the twin pillars of great event-dom here at p&g.

Find out more here http://cabn.info/training-business-advice/poets-development-day.html

Poet's development day, Hawick, Scotland 31st August 2013

Are you a poet looking to develop your career? Here is a unique chance to learn from a successful quartet of poets with a track record of publication, professional placements, editorship and residencies between them.

Poets' Day is a chance for poets to get together for a day of inspiration and practical advice with Andrew Forster (Literature Officer, Wordsworth Trust) and Jennifer Williams (Programme Manager, Scottish Poetry Library). Plus Bridget Khursheed of poetandgeek.com and Rab Wilson, the YES Poet in Residence.

1.45 pm - 5.00 pm, followed by a chat and nibbles (yes!) and it is free...

Find out more here http://cabn.info/training-business-advice/poets-development-day.html