HOME OF FEN SPEAK AND THE FENLAND POET LAUREATE AWARDS 2012-2017
Fen Speak is Ely's long-running regular poetry, spoken word and storytelling open mic night where local writers come together to share their work in a friendly environment.
Who: all are welcome - poets, spoken word artists, non-fiction or fiction writers, or those just wanting to listen! The events include first time readers as well as regular contributors.
What: poetry, fiction, non-fiction - each reader gets a slot of around 3 minutes, depending on how busy the night is. It's free to attend, with donations taken to cover running costs. Just turn up and sign up, or email in advance to book your reading slot. There are also often special guest readers, such as local poets who have recently had new work published.
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Why: come to share your work, gain confidence in performing it, hear and meet other fantastic writers, and find out more about writing happening in the fens - the reasons to come are endless!
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Where: Events are mix of in-person and online events, with the in-person ones in Ely's Babylon Gallery, Waterside, CB7 4AU.
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When: third Wednesday of every month - see below for the latest dates. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start, and we usually finish around 9.30pm.
Events on Facebook
UPCOMING EVENTS
Next Event:
Wednesday 20th December 2023 with Clare Best
Babylon Gallery, Ely
7 for 7.30 start
Clare Best has published a memoir, The Missing List (Linen Press 2018), three full collections of poetry and several pamphlets and collaborative works. Her new collection Beyond the Gate (Worple Press 2023) has been described in The Frogmore Papers as her ‘richest collection to date’ and in London Grip as ‘warmly intelligent, questioning’. In 2020-21 Clare held a Fellowship at Guildhall School of Music & Drama where she co-created three chamber operas and a song cycle. She teaches Creative Writing for The Open University.
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Photo credit: Freddie Willatt
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Upcoming events:
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17th January 2024 Ely with TBC
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21st February 2024 online with TBC
