Back to Blighty…Briefly

by | Jul 21, 2009 | Uncategorized | 8 comments


It’s pouring rain here today, which is making it psychologically easier to prepare for my trip off-Island. Tomorrow I head off for a quick trip back to England to attend the Polyverse Poetry Festival being held at the University Of Loughborough. I first blogged about it here. This will be a weekend of interesting and unusual workshops, readings and performances, one of which will be my poetry play, “Dreams of May.” It hasn’t been performed on a stage in a “proper” theatre for a couple of years (although it has been performed in classrooms and cafes), and I’m really excited to see it once again in its full glory. Excited and nervous, to be honest. I have no idea how many people will be in the audience, but it will be an audience full of poets and poetry lovers. Leaving myself open to that sort of scrutiny is a bit daunting, to be honest. And of course the fact that Carol Ann Duffy will be there reading just a couple of hours later makes it all the more nerve-wracking. Will she actually come see it? Who knows? But I’ll certainly be going to see her, which is also very exciting. For a full list of who will be appearing, what workshops will be held, plus all the festival details see this link.

I very rarely go to literary festivals. It’s not a policy decision, it’s more a matter of scheduling. So I don’t have a very good idea of what to expect and I’m looking at it as a bit of a magical mystery tour. The two-hour train ride up from London will be fun, though. I do love train rides.
I’ll report back next week. And if any of you are in the area, please do come by to say hi and lend your support.

8 Comments

  1. Lauri Kubuitsile
    Lauri Kubuitsile on 22nd July 2009 at 10:22 am

    I will sadly not be in the area but would have loved to see your play. Good luck I hope it all goes well. I love literary festivals and we have far too few of them in this part of the world (UK seems to have loads). I try to leave my introverted self behind and be very outgoing and meet as many people as I can. It’s like a vacation from me, and that’s sort of nice too.

  2. Susan Richardson
    Susan Richardson on 22nd July 2009 at 11:51 am

    Hi Sue,

    Really hoping we’ll get to meet at Polyverse! At last! x

  3. SueG
    SueG on 22nd July 2009 at 12:37 pm

    Lauri: This is great advice. Ill try it and report back. Thanks.
    Susan: Meet you at Polyverse? I’m counting on it…and even bringing my copy of your book for you to sign!

  4. Glyn Pope
    Glyn Pope on 22nd July 2009 at 12:59 pm

    I’m sure my nephew, Saul Pope, will be there. He lives in Leicester. But I don’t suppose it looks very cultured to shout and holler his name.

  5. The Dotterel
    The Dotterel on 22nd July 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Wow! Hope it goes well…

  6. SueG
    SueG on 22nd July 2009 at 4:19 pm

    Glyn: I’ll definitely look out for your nephew. I do hope he makes it.

    Dot: Thanks, Dot. Hope your summer’s going well. Will Charlie get a chance to eat some sand? That was always one of our favourite summer activities 🙂

  7. DJ Kirkby
    DJ Kirkby on 23rd July 2009 at 8:36 am

    Welcome back! Hope you have a great time.

  8. Carol
    Carol on 23rd July 2009 at 10:24 am

    I don’t think we will be able to make it but I hope you have a ball!!

    C x