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A student focused reading and networking event

Friday 16 March 2012

May Scribblers Event

Hot on the heels of National Poetry Month, the next Scribblers event will be held on Wednesday 2nd May and will feature guest reader, poet, Liane Strauss.







Liane Strauss was born in the borough of Queens, New York, and grew up in northern New Jersey, birthplace of salt water taffy, Dorothy Parker, Stephen Crane and the electric guitar. Her first full-length collection, Leaving Eden, came out with Salt Publishing in November of 2010 preceded by a pamphlet designed and produced by the wonderful Donut Press, Frankie, Alfredo. Liane is the Head (although she prefers Heart, or Soul) of Poetry on the Creative Writing Programme at Birkbeck and is at the moment looking forward to taking part in the Strokestown International Poetry Festival in Ireland in May, her poem “My Last Coyote” having made the shortlist in their competition. 


Along with poetry and short fiction extracts, we encourage you also to submit short sections of your play for a ‘performed reading’. It should be noted that readers for your drama piece will need securing prior to the event. If your submission is selected and you need help securing readers the Committee can assist with the advertising – the more notice we have the better!

Would YOU like to read for one of the drama students and voice a character for them? If so the Committee would like to hear from you.

Message to Anthony Joseph

Here follows a message to our guest reader, Anthony Joseph, for the event on 6th March:

Thank You, Anthony

Thank you Anthony for your deeply honest discussion of your poems.  The introduction to each poem showed how important it is for us as aspiring writers to be in touch with our true selves. Your stories of kites, biscuit factories, your father and trips home to Trinidad were inspirational. 

We hope in future more readers at Scribblers will tell us about themselves because, as apprentice writers, we will only find a voice if we are honest about who we are.  This requires taking some risk as we peel back the curtain to show our true persona and openly share the reality of our vision and our way of being in the world.  Anthony, your readings did all of this, and signposted how future Scribblers events could be made more personal and informative for all participants. 

All of us at The Birkbeck Scribblers appreciate you sharing your evening with us.

The Committee
The Birkbeck Scribblers

6 March Scribblings

 The Birkbeck Scribblers moved venue for their second event.  The atmosphere at the Hoop & Grapes was welcoming and the dedicated bar was a positive addition and commented upon by many.  The room was well insulated and gave the event the feel of a private party cocooned from the sounds of the city. 

Public transport proved convenient before and afterwards with Farringdon tube station being only a five minute walk away as well as several buses to choose from close by.


The readers, Scott Landers, Eleonora Fusco, Isabel D'Arq, Tarquin Landseer, Rob Stevens and Narayani L Guibarra were from the Higher Certificate courses through to years one and two BA Creative Writing programme.  They gave readings of poetry and short fiction to a room of thirty guests.  The audience was appreciative of the works from first to last.


Ian Dawes compered with a light, persuasive touch which succeeded in securing valuable and constructive written feedback for our readers.  This was perhaps aided by the incentive of an A5 moleskin style journal being offered as a prize for those entering the draw with each feedback form increasing chances of winning.

Our principal speaker and guest, Anthony Joseph, closed the event with poetry from his published books, including his latest anthology,  Rubber Orchestras.  As a seasoned performer, Anthony gave a relaxed and confident reading which was both entertaining and inspirational. 

Following this the networking commenced in earnest. Many people continued to enjoy the privacy of the upstairs room and dedicated bar with conversations highlighting publishing house staff and journalists, along with fellow students and friends of readers in attendance.

The Committee would like to thank all those who read and attended and hope to see you at future events.  

Friday 2 March 2012

March Scribblings - 6 March 2012

7.30 pm Tuesday 6 March, Hoop & Grapes

Author, Anthony Joseph
The Birkbeck Scribblers invite you to their March event at 7.30pm on 6th March 2012  to hear readings by special guest author,
Anthony Joseph  
plus creative writing BA and Higher Certificate students, Tarquin Landseer, Rob StevensNarayani L Guibarra, Eleonora Fusco, Isabel D'Arq and Scott Lander.

Free entry includes participation in a Prize Draw.

Bring your cheers, beer money and take part in the Prize Draw which will take place at the end of the evening.  Buy the latest offering from the special guest author.

Venue: Hoop & Grapes function room, Farringdon Road, London EC4A 4BL

Event runs from 7.30 to 9.30pm
Stay on to chat and network with fellow writers.