Stranger to Nothing

Another good turn out for the Poetry Cafe workshop. Don Paterson had a torrid time in the book group, and we're hoping to get a short review of Rain on the site soon.

One of the discussion points led onto a wider debate about accusations of sentimentality; can a man write for his son more overtly than a woman can write for her child? Some argued that women are more likely to be accused of sentimentality, and there's a clear line of argument through literary history that would suggest this has been the case. Whether or not it still is a problem is less clear.

Others argued that the poet's sex doesn't matter, and of course it shouldn't, but do we approach the poem differently when we know who wrote it? Probably, to some extent, subconsciously.

This led to discussion about levels of women being published and reviewed. A few statistics were offered, but although I'm all in favour of a pie chart, I think statistics are difficult, not least because they often offer results as though they're conclusive. It's so easy to misinterpret and/or misrepresent data. Without all the raw data and the methodology of how information was collected and analysed, and the skills to analyse it for yourself, you should be wary. There's always a level of bias in any study, no matter how hard the researchers may have worked to limit it. That's why nothing is (should be) decided on the findings of a single study, but based on the evidence of a body of literature.

That said, here's a link that appears to show the levels of men and women authors being published/reviewed in 2010. The introduction is annoying, as it both tells you what to think ("Numbers don't lie"), while missing out key information that would allow you to think for yourself. It covers a small range of publications, and again, this is limited by everything that's not given.

Nevertheless, the consistency across these publications of more men being published and reviewed than women, does suggest there's a valid question to be asked. As with much research, its conclusions raise more questions than it answers, but that's the point.

http://vidaweb.org/the-count-2010

September 7th is the next date, and we're planning to discuss Philip Levine's Stranger to Nothing.

We'd hoped to look at his new collection, News of the World, but as an American title, it would have taken too long to ship, and I've heard Amazon have sold out since his appointment as US Poet Laureate. Here's an interview with him following the announcement: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/14/139576125/new-poet-laureate-philip-levines-absolute-truth

Have a good Bank Holiday and see you on the 7th, 12pm. Bring copies of your poem to workshop.

Rain

I had a great time at the last workshop. I thought there were some brilliant poems, and lots of useful discussion. Thanks to those who came. It was a really good turnout.

Suzannah Evans has agreed to write a short review about Of Mutability, which we'll post on the reviews page here when it's ready for the world.

The next Poetry Cafe workshop will be Wednesday 10th August at Bank Street, 12-3pm. Put it in your diary. We'll be discussing Don Paterson's, Rain, too.

If you have time to call in at Bank Street before the end of July, there's an installation on at the moment, Catalyst 2, involving writers from the MA Writing at Sheffield Hallam University, and composers at the University of Sheffield Sound Studios. It's a collaborative project presenting poems and sound art, and was great fun to do, as well as being really quite challenging. It's worth a look, I think.

See you soon,

Angelina

Of mutability

Jo Shapcott, of course. That's the book we're aiming to discuss at the next workshop. I've not read it yet. I know, I know. My shelves are full of books I'll get around to one day.

The next workshop is July 6th. Same arrangement as before: Bank Street Arts Centre, start at 12.00, go on till about 3.00, later if people want to. In the first couple of hours we workshop the poems people have brought (bring up to 10 copies - we'll break into smaller groups if more than ten people turn up). Then we have a book club type discussion of Shapcott's "Of Mutability".

If you need a copy, Blackwells Hallam Uni branch are well stocked.

The last workshop was pretty good. Ten poets turned up. We didn't quite have time to work on everyone's poems, because everyone was so keen to discuss Brian Turner's "Phantom Noise". (There's a mini-review we've written here: feel free to add your own comments).

Noel

Phantom Noise

The first workshop was attended by six able poets, who brought some interesting works in progress and shared useful feedback. That's the point, of course. And, as promised, tasty cake (and sandwiches) were on offer from Cafe Juniper.

The second workshop is planned for Wednesday June 1st. Same time, same place: 12.00 till 3.00 or later, Bank Street Arts Centre, Bank Street, Sheffield. All poets welcome.

We're sticking with the same format, as it seems to work: a couple of hours workshopping the offerings of everyone who has brought something, followed by a discussion of a recent poetry collection. This time we've chosen Brian Turner's Phantom Noise, his second volume following the highly successful, and harrowing, Here, Bullet.

The workshop should last from 12.00 till 2.00, and the discussion from 2.00 till whenever everyone's had enough - but these times are flexible, depending on how things actually happen.

As always, you'll be able to buy the book at the Sheffield Hallam University branch of Blackwell's, where Bank Street members can claim a 10% discount.

And don't forget that Cafe Juniper is open whenever Bank Street Arts is open, so you can always drop in and have your own impromptu writing group if you want. The poetry corner is still full of more books than anyone could reasonably read.

Noel

A new start

Bank Street Arts now has a permanent (and tasty) cafe running. They call themselves Cafe Juniper, and are open throughout the normal working hours of the Arts Centre: Tues to Sat, 10-5.

So Angelina and Noel are relaunching the Poetry Cafe. The Poetry Cafe is there every Wednesday afternoon, for anyone who wants to turn up.

Once a month we'll host a poetry workshop and reading group in the cafe.
First workshop is Weds May 4th, 12.00 to 2.00, followed by discussion of Katharine Towers's recent collection, The Floating Man. If you can't make the full session, you can always come for part of it. There's no charge, though you'll have to pay for tea, cake etc from the cafe if you desire it (and it's hard not to).

The idea of the first session is to start with workshopping our poems: so please bring a poem for others to comment on. If you bring multiple copies, that'd be even better. Or email a copy to us and we'll aim to print copies. We don't know how many people there will be, probably no more than 10. If you can't copy your poem, it won't matter, because we'll each read our poems out and pass them round.

After the workshopping, we'd like to discuss Katharine Towers's recent collection, The Floating Man. If you don't have a copy, try Blackwells. Members of Bank Street get a 10% discount. You can find the title poem here.

Noel and Angelina