Susie Wild's Blog: Wildlife, page 16

THE FRIDAY POEM: Ah, bostid is the golden bowel!

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Nice to see David Hughes, Swansea and Working Out (Parthian Books) mentioned in The Friday Poem's article by Steven Lovatt on dialect poetry...

I arrange to meet up with David Hughes in Swansea’s Queen’s Hotel, a long-time haunt of poets and other artists, and formerly a place where Swansea dialect would have been thick in the air between the dockers, fishermen and workers at the various foundries and copperworks that made the city’s name. It’s mid-afternoon and the bar is only half-full, mostly with retirees and tradesman on a break. I hear no dialect, though the accent is evident enough. David has arrived before me and thoughtfully bought the first round. We’ve met a couple of times before, at poetry readings and also by chance in the street. He has published two books of poems, Tidy Boy in 1998 and last year’s Working Out. Although mostly in standard English, both collections also contain poems representing the Swansea dialect and accent. The opening stanza of the poem ‘Tidy Boy’ gives a good flavour:We woz kids tgether, frommer same street.I sat nex towim ry threw jewnyers.Ewster goter play up iz ouse a lot,iz mam never said nuthin much twuz;iz ole manad buggud off yurzago.Air woz oney im an iz mam inny ouse.E wozquiet like, butter tidy boy.We observe due silence for the first swig and then I ask David what tips the balance one way or the other when he’s deciding between standard and dialect...

NEW POEM: Poetry Wales

The yolk-bright new issue of Poetry Wales has just arrived on my doorstep featuring a new poem of mine after Queen of Bohemia Nina Hamnett’s Fancy Dress (1899) at Tenby Museum. This issue is bursting with other great poets and articles including a wonderful review of Topher Mills’ new and selected poems Sex on Toast (Parthian Books), a new poem from Rae Howells and writing from Mari Ellis Dunning and Robert Minhinnick.

PHOTOS: Llandaff Cathedral Festival – Late Night Poetry

 

What a pleasure it was to read in the Lady Chapel at Llandaff Cathedral Festival last night with star poets Hanan Issa, Philip Gross and Manon Ceridwen James and a wonderfully attentive audience. Thanks to Mike Church for hosting too!

The Lake wins the EBRD Literature Prize 2023!

The Lake  by Bianca Bellová, translated from Czech into English by Alex Zucker and published by Parthian Books, is the winner of the EBRD Literature Prize 2023. It was a joy to celebrate the announcement with them at dizzying heights at the EBRD HQ, Canary Wharf. 

The winning work of translated literary fiction, originally published in the Czech Republic, was chosen by an independent panel of judges composed of Toby Lichtig (Chair), Maya Jaggi, Arkady Ostrovsky and Natasha Randall.

Both author and translator were congratulated in person by EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso at an awards ceremony at the Bank’s headquarters in London. The €20,000 prize will be split equally between the author and translator.

GIG ALERT: Voices on the Bridge

* Voices on the Bridge *

Thursday 22nd June 2023 – Clwb Y Bont, 85a Taff Street, Pontypridd, Wales CF37 4SL.The lineup of poets reading includes Stephen Payne, Nick McGaughey, Susie Wild, Ben Wildsmith, Leigh Manley, Pete Akinwunmi & Rob Cullen. Starts at 7.15pm

Gig Alert: Voices on the Bridge

* Voices on the Bridge *

Thursday 22nd June 2023 – Clwb Y Bont, 85a Taff Street, Pontypridd, Wales CF37 4SL.The lineup of poets reading includes Stephen Payne, Nick McGaughey, Susie Wild, Ben Wildsmith, Leigh Manley, Pete Akinwunmi & Rob Cullen. Starts at 7.15pm

The language of bees shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year 2023

Huge Congratulations to Rae Howells, shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year 2023 for her stunning debut collection of poems The language of bees (Parthian Books)! I am so delighted by this news.

Congratulations to all the other shortlisted writers and publishers as well! With thanks to the judges and to Literature Wales.
Read the Literature Wales full story
Watch Just Another Poet's recent interview with Rae Howells


This week has also seen us celebrate World Bee Day and Rae's birthday, so why not join us in celebrating by treating yourself to Gower Lavender's The language of bees giftbox?
This limited edition gift set is the perfect bee-tastic present. You get a jar of yummy locally-produced honey, a honey dipper, some beeswax melts, a bee decoration, a bar of our bee-friendly lavender soap, and a signed book of bee poetry, all packaged up in an eco-friendly box.
All at a bargain £30 and these gift boxes can be bought from the Gower Lavender website



Finally, Rae says:
'I’m still grinning like a mad fool about being shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year 'It would make me even happier if you, my wonderful family and friends, would consider voting for The language of bees in the People’s Choice category. Anyone can vote for any of the 12 shortlisted books to win the prize, so I have at least a 1 in 12 (8.3%) chance of winning. More if you vote, though, eh?'No pressure, but here’s the link. It takes about 20 seconds Do it for the bees '
Here's the link:
https://www.walesartsreview.org/wales-book-of-the-year-award-2023-peoples-choice-vote-now/

The Cellar Bards: Julia Bell and Ness Owen

Tonight, if you are near Cardigan, please go and see these two fantastic poets at The Cellar Bards!

Two guests for the price of one! Both recently launched poetry collections with Parthian. Julia Bell's Hymnal and Ness Owen's Moon Jellyfish Can Barely Swim have both been highly acclaimed. Open mic as always, sign up on the door by 8pm. Entry £3.

Or pop along to their book signing on Saturday...

GIG ALERT: Late Night Poetry, Llandaff Cathedral Festival

Late Night Poetry

Lady Chapel, Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff CF5 2LA

Thu 6th July 2023

I am thrilled to be reading with the National Poet of Wales, Hanan Issa, as well as Manon Ceridwen James and Philip Gross at this late night poetry event as part of Llandaff Cathedral Festival.

Starting at 9.30pm in the Lady Chapel, join us for an inspiring night of poetry through the medium of both English and Welsh. There will be a fully licensed bar available as well. 

Tickets are £10, book via ticketsource 

The Bookseller: Parthian Books looks to the future as it hits 30

 A lovely write-up in the Wales-focussed issue of The Bookseller this week!