Up to my eyes at the moment doing revisions and edits on a novel that has been with me for a long time now. As I get near the very end now I experience the usual mixed emotions; I suppose because I’ve been exposed to the work so intensely in recent months. I do find it amazing, however, that I can still be suprised (in a good way) by some of the writing. Let’s hope that’s a positive sign. Hope I’m not snow blind to obvious flaws.
Anyway, as a result I’m slow to report on the launch of Cancan #3, which took place last Wednesday 14th March in the Loft Bookshop above the Twisted Pepper on Abbey Street. There was a good crowd in attendance, and I got to meet up with some new people, including Kit Fryatt, who is the brains – and the looks – behind Wurm im apfel and Cancan. I also met Alan McMonagle, a writer who up to then was known to me only by reputation. Alan and I share a lot of common ground in terms of publications, prizes and shortlisting over recent years, so we had a lot to talk about on a night that flew past in a frenzy of high octane poetry. Congrats to him on his recent Writing Spirit Award win also!
Daniel Ryan, Alan and I read first as contributors to Cancan #3 and then Kit read two poems by J S Robinson who couldn’t make it to the launch. We then had readings from David Toms and James Cummins. I was not familiar with their work, but was blown away the visceral verbal power of their poems and the mastery of their delivery. By comparison the three short poems I read seemed to be almost monosyllabic. But then poetry is a broad church I suppose. On my way home afterwards my head was literally spinning. You can check them out here.
I always say I should do more readings and I know I should. It’s good to be out there delivering your work – and of course meeting up with fellow readers and writers.
Sounds brilliant, (I should go to more readings,and read more) and its a great sign youre still surprized by the novel esp at the end stage!
Yea Niamh, I always get something from readings, even if I don’t always know the writers or their work. As for the novel, well, it’s gone to my agent now, so a lot depends on his reaction. Keep us posted on The Herbalist on your blog, won’t you?