Newly published, and soon to be published, poets spout their stuff at Little Man Coffee in Cardiff on Thurs 1 Dec. Host Christina Thatcher will provide a warm and welcoming environment, and the event itself is free to attend, although coffee, tea, alcohol, cake, and books will all be available for sale. Get there early for a 7.30pm start.
In the capital’s Bute Park, then, Young People’s Laureate Wales, Sophie McKeand, will be leading a free workshop for young poets as part of a UK-wide campaign for trees and woods. The workshop is from 11-3pm on Sat 3 Dec. Visit www.treecharter.uk for details on how to book.
On Thurs 15 Dec, you can catch the National Poets of Wales and Scotland in a joint reading at Swansea University’s Great Hall. Ifor ap Glyn and Jackie Kay will read from their various publications, followed by a Q&A. Tickets range from £5-£12, and are available from www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk.
Just in time for Christmas, the Publishers’ Pop-Up Bazaar is a perfect time to pick up a book as a gift from some of Wales’ top publishers, including Parthian, Seren, Accent, and Honno. Simply go to the ground floor HUB in Cardiff Central Library on Fri 16 + Sat 17 Dec between 10 and 5pm, and make sure you’ve got your wallet with you! There will be plenty of fabulous Welsh literary talent on offer, here.
In January, following all that book reading over Christmas, the literary festivities continue, with the regular Open Space taking place in Cardiff’s Central Library on Mon 19 Jan. Guest Holly Müller will read from and discuss her novel, My Own Dear Brother, a coming-of-age story set in Nazi-controlled 1940s Austria. Published by Bloomsbury Circus in 2016, her book has attracted praise from The Independent, The Guardian, and author Esther Freud. Make sure to book for this free event via the Cardiff Central Library Facebook page, or via the library itself.
Finally, Voices On The Bridge, brings together a host of wonderful valleys-based writers on Tues 27 Dec. Further details available from the venue, Pontypridd Museum, or the host, poet Rob Cullen.
