We may be heading towards winter but the writing scene is livening up at last with events of all kinds springing up – some still online but others face to face, ITRW, or as some would put it, 3D! This afternoon I’ll be talking live to my first WI Group in quite some time about matters photographic and I have bookings in for the months ahead.
Who knows how long this will last? In the meantime let’s celebrate the joy of all the things that don’t come through a screen; the nuanced expression, the feel of the venue – the applause!
My first outing since the the pandemic was to the fascinating Glenside Hospital Museum.
The People’s University of Fishponds meets monthly on a Sunday evening for members to educate themselves on all kinds of subjects and the setting at Glenside (a former chapel, pulpit and all!) is remarkably conducive to public speaking, particularly so in my case as from its earliest times the hospital used photographic records of its patients. The audience last month was lively and well-informed and brought some interesting examples of early photography. If you’re in the Bristol area, Glenside (open Wednesdays and Saturdays) has a varied history and is well worth a look.
More good news! Stroud Short Stories returns on Sunday November 7th (and I’m in it).
Back in Spring of 2020 I judged a Stroud Short Stories which was hastily moved online, and the autumn event wsa also prerecorded adn stremed. Of course there are advantages with online events and I’ve benefitted from many during the last year ( some with surprising consequences) but there’s nothing like a bit of live action! There will be ten readers – several of whom I can personally recommend. Others are new to me and to SSS but I can guarantee an evening of great entertainment at the Cotswold Playhouse (yes an actual theatre, comfy seats and a new ventialtion system) if you can make the day. Tickets here.
HULF returns with a series of themed talks.
The annual Hawkesbury Upton literary festival was another casulaty of COVID and, to remind us of the fun to be had, Debbie Young is organising a same-but-different series of author talks in the lead up to what she hopes will be next year’s ‘full fat’ festival. The first of these is on Saturday November 27th (Travel and Adventure).There is a small charge to attend and tickets should be booked ahead. Sounds like a sensible first step back to the normality we all long for. Check the Eventbrite page for full details (and tickets of course).
Any more for any more?
There is still plenty of writing action on line – check Stokes Croft Writers December Talking Tales and the Evesham Festival of Words ongoing programme. Another great initiative is Arvon at Home author readings/Q&A (of which more next time!) None of these require leaving the warmth and safety of home.
Which is where you can find me for much of the time, but my author talks are still available, live or via Zoom. Let me know if you are interested.
Ali Bacon, Author 
Ali – what is the title (s) of your talk? Would it be of interest to my History and social science group? Jenny
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Hi Jenny. My usual title is ‘ From Lacock to Leith’. I could easily focus on the socio – historical aspects. I’ll drop you an email.
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