A week of celebrating words and creativity

Book tours are strange old things. Not that what I’ve been involved in this past week has been formally a book tour – but I have been touring around and it has all been about books.

Well, one book in particular, my version of Persians, published by Fair Acre Press, and launched with great joy on Sunday 30th September 2019 at the Mid Wales Art Centre, organised by dear friend and fellow launcher, Chris Kinsey. Poetry Party pushed Persians and Chris Kinsey’s From Rowan Ridge into the world, joined by readings from fifteen fine poets all raising their voices in a celebration of words.

The following Saturday it was the turn of Small World Theatre in Cardigan, where I led a workshop Singing the old bones about remaking ancient stories, then gave a lecture/reading in the evening. The workshop participants were an ideal mix of artists, makers, poets, dramatists, storytellers and folklorists, so a lively time was had by all. We used the beautifully light and sunny dance studio for the workshop – and I’m delighted to be returning for a further workshop in November, shared with Chris Kinsey, details below.

Kaite reading at Persians launch at Mid Wales
Arts Centre. Photo: Liz Hinkley

Writer and critic Adam Somerset attended the lecture/performance I gave that evening, reading from Persians. To my surprise, he wrote a short review of the evening (thank you, Adam!), which you can access here.

Welcoming all writers workshop at:

Cardigan’s Small World Theatre @theatrbydbychan

November 23 @ 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Spend a stimulating afternoon with award winning writers relishing words and honing craft in two distinct writing workshops, then finish off the evening with celebratory readings and a book launch. Chris Kinsey and Kaite O’Reilly will each lead a two-hour workshop, welcoming all writers from all forms – poetry, prose, spoken word, live performance – beginners and experienced.

Chris Kinsey – Blood from Stone
1pm – 3pm
Embodying the elemental & environmental. Writing the real using the senses and heightening impressions through metaphor and sound choices. Dig deep and mine the elemental world to write with passion and clarity. Engage with the natural world through a variety of guided prompts and shared experiences.

Kaite O’Reilly – Planting the Seeds
3.30pm – 5.30pm
Immersive writing from the senses, memory, and imagination. Writing is a process of discovery and exploration. In a series of structured exercises participants will be encouraged to investigate texture, dynamic, and the visceral when writing for the living voice, and along the way, plant the seeds for possible future work.
£30 (entry to evening performance included in the workshop fee)

My previous workshop at Small World sold out very quickly, so I’m hoping there will be even more interest with the brilliant Chris Kinsey involved. For details and booking, please press here

A final recommendation is the current free exhibition at Small World/ Theatre Byd Bychan:

Hands Up: defining 40 years of puppetry – an exhibition of Ann Shrosbree’s and Bill Hamblett’s work

From early work as Dandelion Puppets for Centre for Alternative Technology 1979, through Arts and Development work in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to the present day. Visitors will learn how the company grew into Small World Theatre in 1996 and created a near zero carbon arts space, Theatr Byd Bychan in 2008. The exhibition will continue online throughout 2019. Exhibition open times: Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 4.30pm