News

Winter 2011-12

Another acceptance - a political poem called 'The Reason', very simple, at Poetry 24. Very pleased to be on there, as it's a site for vital, relevant poems connected to news stories.

I've also got a gig coming up, health permitting, and a very special one too: Poems and Pints at the Kings Arms, Salford, now run by Paul Heaton. Details of the event here and as you can see I'm in some great company. I'll be doing a 20 minute slot so do make it down there if you can.

Blimey it's cold. However, it was a warm and wonderful night on 1st December at the 8th Day Cafe in Manchester, where Best of Manchester Poets 2 was launched. You can read a review of the night on Write Out Loud - a lovely review except that it fails to mention me in any way, despite the fact that I made the opening speech. Gah! (tosses head à la primadonna) It's spot on re. everything else though. The best thing about Steven Waling's review is the description of the evening as 'kind'. It really was - everyone helping to make it flow and work well. Several people said it was the best launch they've been to, which was lovely to hear.

Anyway! More acceptances, soon to be appearing on the publications page when I get my copy: Enchanting, a fantasy story (and defence of fantasy writing in general) has been accepted by The Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, one of my favourite mags. The e-zine 'Melusine' has accepted two poems to be published soon. And if you're feeling wintry, there are some superb poems up at the Poet Advent Calendar where my poem can be found on 2nd December. It was a terrific project and I'm very proud of the company I'm in - Billy Bragg, Angela Topping, Gerry Potter and Jo Bell, no less! I still think Dermot Glennon's poem is the best, though Jo's comes a close second.

I'm also limping on with my vampire/misery memoir crossover novel, which is being bled slowly from me. Or that's how it feels, anyway. I've also written a cheery genie/djinn story recently.

See you in the Spring!

Autumn 2011

Lots more news!

I've had a poem, 'Fatale', accepted by Bloodredshadows and a story, 'Enchanting', accepted by The Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine.

I'll also be doing a gig at Central Library on 23rd November, 1pm in the Becker Room. Salford Women Writers are launching their pamphlet about, and in aid of, Breast Cancer Care, and I'm delighted to be doing a reading. Please come if you can - it's a worthy cause and there'll be many other readers too. And it's free!

Being chosen as one of two runners-up in the Arthritis Care Creative Writing Competition 2011 meant a lot to me. I've suffered from arthritis for twenty years, with all the attendant ups, downs and teeth-grittings. I entered mostly as a writing exercise - the word limit was very low and the theme was The Olympics, so it was very challenging. I tried to capture the strength and humour one finds when at one's lowest. Poets will notice various verse elements and internal rhymes - I nearly wrote it as a poem! This is my piece:

Acceptance Speech

I'd like to thank all those who made it possible - friends, family, carers, crutches, stick, walker, but most of all, painkilling drugs. Without them I'd never have won gold today in the 10 metre limp, so this is their victory too.

Of course I had to put the work in. Training never stops - hauling oneself upright each day, sometimes in tears; fighting the fears of failure, of uselessness, of being a burden. Those endless days stumbling, fumbling with electric can-openers, dragging myself to the bathroom, staggering, with pain always nag-nag-nagging.

I didn't take a single day off, you know. To win, one has to be pretty singleminded.

I learned not to waste energy complaining. I also learned to be pleased about the good things - being able to do those few metres, so that I can get to the bathroom myself. In fact that's what I visualised to help me win the race: a loo at the finish line. I can also hold a phone and talk to someone - at the same time! - and heat up soup in a microwave, type emails (somewhat slowly), so I might enter the Arthritis Heptathlon in four years' time, as these are all important elements.

So today at last my achievements are recognised and I get this gold injection, this medal for my excellence and persistence. And there I'd been, thinking that no one cared and that society thought I was a loser.

No. I'm an Olympian, a god - Hephaistos the limping deity, my metal medal forged twisted, like my crooked smile and wry humour, but truly strong, proud and victorious.

Summer 2011

Two more publications recently, both fiction and both online, so they're freely available to read! More info on the publications page.

Also I have a 15-min slot coming up at Open Mind on Friday 12th August at An Outlet, 77 Dale Street, Manchester. I'll be doing loads of new stuff so do come along - Dave Viney and Rod Tame will be part of the entertainment too.

Apart from that I'm busy co-editing the second volume of Best of Manchester Poets. I think it's going to be even better than last year's edition.

Spring 2011

Thanks to a chest infection, arthritis and similarly dull things, I've done very little since my book launch. That's right - book launch! I exhausted myself in October promoting my new poetry collection 'Contains Strong Language and Scenes of a Sexual Nature', available from Amazon.co.uk, puppywolf.co.uk or any good bookshop. Gorgeous cover - worth it for that alone, I reckon. You can see it in its glory on my Publications page.

I'm also very proud to be included in 'Soul Feathers', a poetry anthology in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care. To have my poem 'Sequence' printed alongside work by Leonard Cohen, personal hero Benjamin Zephaniah, Bob Dylan, Carol Ann Duffy and various other luminaries is breathtaking, and I'm allowed to feel smug if it's in a good cause, right?! Again, available from online book stores or any good bookshop.

Due to my wretched health I've been cutting down performances, but maybe soon I shall return...

Sept/Oct News 2010

I have oodles of gigs in the next two months, including my book launch! Details below:

Sept 14th: 'Poetry with a Slice of Humour' as part of Marple festival. 7.45-8.45 at the Carver Theatre, Marple. I'll be doing a set of humorous poems. This event is free!

Sept 16th: Pass on a Poem Friends Meeting House, Manchester, 6.30-8pm. Donations. I'll be reading Robert Herrick's The Hag.

Oct 1st: I'll be co-hosting Poetry Pillow with Dominic Berry, and also performing a guest set. If you can't make my launch gig, come to this one where I'll be previewing some of the poems. 8pm at An Outlet (it really is called that), Dale St, Manchester.

Oct 5th: Mouthy Poets at Earth Cafe, Manchester. I don't have details of times yet, but email me closer to the event. Myself, Steph Pike and Jackie Hagan being powerful, polemical and punchy.

Oct 14th: 'Bugged' launch, City Library, Deansgate. This is the launch of an anthology of poems and stories inspired by overhearings, and I have a poem in it. I think it's 2pm but again, email me closer to the time.

Oct 21st: LAUNCH OF 'CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE AND SCENES OF A SEXUAL NATURE' by Cathy Bryant, 6.30-7.30pm, City Library, Deansgate. Guests Chris Dommett, Simon Rennie, Angela Smith and Rod Tame! Free! Don't miss it!

Oct 30th: Performance at West Midlands Vegan Festival, approx. 12.30pm. Then there are all the open mic events... get well soon cards will be welcome in Nov... ;)

I've also had two more poems accepted for a print anthology. This is by the same people who did 'Poems for Big Kids', so it's a quality publication. It's also an interesting one - the theme is science and technology.

Love to all and hope to see you at some of the above events, Cathy xxx

August 2010

As you can see in my Publications section, I've had another acceptance, this time for Bugged. As always I'm delighted, but I was especially inspired by this quirky, fun project.

Apart from that it's been hard work all the way, having photos taken for the publicity for 'Contains Strong Language and Scenes of a Sexual Nature', my collection due out in Autumn. As you may know, the camera is rarely my friend, and I am somewhat aesthetically challenged these days. However the photo - as you can see here - is awesome! My publisher is picking over my poems for inclusion in the book even as we speak, which is nerve-racking. Of course I'm very excited to have my own collection coming out though, and I keep telling myself that it's worth the worry.

Best of Manchester Poets is selling well, I'm told, and I'm so pleased to have been one of the editors and contributors. You can buy your copy through Amazon.

I've also been asked to perform at this, as part of the Marple Poetry festival! It looks like a great night, so I hope to see some of you there.

Poetry with a slice of humour

Tuesday 14 September 19:45 - 20:45

The idea is to entertain a small audience who may have come because they may have an interest in writing, be writers, just enjoy poetry reading, or maybe just want to learn more about us, and the opportunities we have in the area.

It will be at the Carver Theatre - a quite compact little theatre seating around 200, in Marple centre. There is a convenient car park, which will be free after 6 pm

The festival website goes live this weekend with the various happenings listed.

The readings will last an hour in total - and will be generally humorous in nature, but interspersed by more serious items.

June 2010

Hello all.

Well, I'll go to the foot of our stairs! I've won the Marple Poetry Competition! I was shortlisted in the Formal/Free verse category, but won the Humorous Verse category outright with my poem 'The Poetry Diet - drop a stanza in just two weeks!'

Obviously I'm thrilled. This was only the second competition I'd entered, and I thought that my Hon Mention in the Many Hands Comp was probably a one-off.

I've now met Ian and Joyce Reed, who ran the competition - there were over 400 entries and they gave a lot of time and effort to the competition. Lovely people.

You can read the poem or see more details of the competition and winners here: http://www.marplewriting.org.uk/page6.html

April 2010

I've been insanely busy recently, what with moving house and co-editing the Best of Manchester Poets anthology, out in June. I've submitted very little recently, though I did have one acceptance. Well sort of - I sent in a poem and a photo to go with it, and Fuselit rejected the poem but accepted the photo! I love Fuselit - it comes across as a real labour of love and is full of interesting things. The 'Tilt' issue with my photo in also comes with 'Bardgames', a great little zine of writing exercises based on board games!
I'll write again soon.
Best wishes,
Cathy x

February 2010

I have three poems and a very flattering photo up at the 'zine Women Writers. I'm very proud of this - I've wanted to express my feminism for a while via poetry, and this was a marvellous way to do it. Also I performed at Poetry Pillow dressed as an elf! Well I was too ill at Christmas, and I wasn't letting that costume go to waste!

The biggest news so far, though, has to be that my first collection, which is probably going to be called, Playing Devil's Avocado, will be published in the autumn by Puppywolf! I'm so excited!

Puppywolf is also publishing a Best of Manchester Poets anthology, and I'm very flattered to have been asked to be part of the editorial board. It'll make a change to evaluate submissions rather than waiting for rejections....anyway, to see more about this project or to submit to it, go to puppywolf.co.uk/news.

22nd January 2010

I'll be performing at the following event along with the very talented Dominic Berry, and Steve Lyons, who is the rudest poet I know! Do come if you can as it promises to be a great night.

Write Out Loud - Sale - 2010!!!

trafford poetry open mic malarkey

January 2010 sees the return of Write Out Loud's poetry night at TheTrafford Waterside Arts Centre, Sale.

First time readers are especially welcome. Open mic spaces are available ona first come, first served basis. If you want a space, get there early asspaces go quickly!

GUEST POETS

Steve Lyons is a regular performer on the Manchester poetry scene. His poetry is earthy, punchy, humorous and insightful.

Cathy Bryant is a poet of great warmth and humour, whose poetry often looks at the everyday from a wry perspective, but still manages to retain a sense of wonder, beauty and the magical.

Dominic Berry - Manchester's premier queer vegan wordsmith, is the co-founder/co-host of two popular poetry nights Freed Up and Poetry Pillow, and founder of writing group Animal Writes. Dominic is also the author of two books (Tomorrow I Will Go Dancing, Lyric of Dragon Claw Keep). Dominic's poetry is exciting, provocative and good-humoured.

Host for the evening is Manchester poet Steve O'Connor.

It's just £3/£2 concessions to get in.

Trafford Waterside Arts Centre - 0161 912 5616

4th January 2010

Goodness me, it's a while since I've updated, isn't it? Basically I went from frantically busy - performing at the East Midlands Vegan Fair, the Animal Reads event and Poulton-le-Fylde Vegan Festival as well as my regular open mics - to frantically ill with a prolonged ear infection that has so far taken three lots of antibiotics to deal with. So my heartfelt apologies for not being in touch.

Big news in January! If you see the copy of Woman & Home magazine with the purple cover and photo of Lulu, turn to page 182 and there's a mention of me and my story 'Fragile', which was runner-up in their short story competition. Also I've got a special mention in the 'Many Hands' poetry competition.

'MH' stands for 'Many Hands' by the way - I wrote a poem for the cafe at a fundraising event so I'm delighted that it was placed. 'Prrr, Prrr' is a comic sonnet about having cats versus having children.

Video from Poulton to follow!

September 2009

As promised, my poem 'Her Light Touch in Darkness' is printed in this month's edition of Velvet magazine, which is nice.

I'm having a month off performances in September; just resting and relaxing, which, given my health problems, is going to be necessary from time to time. There are a couple of great videos of me at the Many Hands fundraiser though, courtesy of the masterly cameragoddess Angela Smith:

It was a lovely gig, and the sensitive will be pleased to see that I'm properly clothed rather than pyjama-clad.

August 2009

Terribly short notice I know, but tonight (Saturday August 22nd) I'm doing a 15 minute set as part of the 'Many Hands' fundraising night event. The Many Hands cafe will be a community arts space and vegan cafe in Chorlton, so it's well worth supporting. As well as me there'll be a violinist, Himalayan drumming and the poetry of copland smith and Linda Chase. The evening starts at 7.30 and the suggested donation is £3.

There will be vegan wine and canapes available! Hurrah! It's at the Scout Hut of St Clement's Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 9JF. Phone Leigh on 07910075950 for further details. Such a good cause. If you're curious about my performances but can't make one, you can see me here in very unflattering pyjamas: part 1 and part 2 (embedded below).

Unsung magazine have printed one of my poems, 'Confession', with a lovely illustration. It's very well laid out, with my name in big letters! See more on my publications page.

I didn't win the Woman & Home competition, sadly, but was a runner-up. So no riches and fame yet, but never mind. My story finishing in the top ten of over eight hundred entries is still very pleasing!

This month's Freedup (for location details etc see earlier posts) is on Thursday 20th August and the theme is Trash. I haven't decided yet whether or not to read, but it's a cracking night out either way.

On 7th I was the special guest at Poetry Pillow, a 'slam without the bam' run by Dominic Berry and Steve O'Connor. It was a 15 minute slot so I was very nervous, but there was a fantastic atmosphere and I ended up feeling really intimate with the audience. Unsurprising perhaps as I was in my pyjamas! (There's a free raffle for those who attend in pyjamas.) There should be a video of it up on YouTube soon. Look out for the bunny earrings.

July 2009

My short story 'Fragile' has been shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards in the category 'Woman and Home Best Short Fiction'. Gulp! If I win I get an award, publication in the magazine and £1000! There are nine other stories shortlisted though, so it's a slim chance. As a runner up I get a prize too, free coffee and books I think, so that's still lovely.

Two performances planned this month, on two consecutive days!
Freedup at the Green Room, Whitworth Street West, Thursday 16th July from about 7.30pm. This is a great night - about 20 poets will read in a fantastic and friendly atmosphere.
Poetry Pillow at An Outlet, 77 Dale Street, Friday 17th July from 7.30pm. This is a competition but in a gentle, pillow-like way. There's a free raffle for those who turn up in their pyjamas! £3 or £2 Concessions. This is open mic so join me!!!!

June 2009

On Thursday 18th June I'll be doing a 3 minute spot at Freedup Poets at the Green Room, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, which starts at 7.30pm. It's free to get in and the theme this month is 'Beasts'.

May 2009

The poem 'Her light Touch in Darkness' will appear in either the August or the November edition of Velvet magazine.

Two Performances in May:

Monday May 25th, 7pm Matt and Phred's, Tib St, Manchester - POETS AND MASH celebrates its birthday in true poetic style with a host of beautiful guest artists and a healthy dollop of birthday surprises. Come help us celebrate! Door entry £4 / £2 if you're skint.

Performing for us will be:
PEN ULTIMATE
CATHY BRYANT
FERGUS EVANS
KRISS FOSTER
DOMINIC BERRY

Thursday 28th May, 6pm, Central Library
This is part of the 'That's Your Lot!' gig to say farewell to 'The Ugly Tree' poetry magazine. Poets will include me and Dominic Berry, and the amazing Jackie Hagan who is bringing glittered cakes! Take this chance to be part of the NorthWest's Literary History as we say goodbye to an iconic publication. I don't know what the charge is, but let's face it, it won't be loads will it? It's usually a few quid.

Best wishes and looking forward to seeing you,

Cathy

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