Poems break down barriers on the Northern Line

Tube travel. You know the score. No chat. No eye-contact. There I am, nose deep in my hot-off-the-press Loose Muse anthology, when a handsome young Spaniard leans over, points to a word in Steph Pike’s poem ‘Sea Shanty’ and asks “What does ‘shore’ mean?”  Cue an interesting discussion on semantics before the interchange at Oxford Circus parts us forever.

The moral of the story?  A Loose Muse anthology can seriously pep up your love life!  The latest (and fourth) issue is packed with poems by the likes of Cath Drake, Zena Edwards, Rosie Garland, Sue Johns and Agnes Meadows, plus short-stories by Niki Aguirre, Isabel White and Leila Segal among others, as well as a 5 minute surreal comedy by Claire Booker which explores the tribulations of youth unemployment and irritating parents.

“This anthology is a fabulous cornucopia of original work by women writers,” says editor Agnes Meadows, who launched London’s only continuous Women’s Writers Night nine years ago. Loose Muse offers a smorgesbrod of UK and international guests plus generous open-mic slots every third Wednesday of the month at the Poetry Cafe, Covent Garden.

For more information on Loose Muse events, including how to get hold of the latest anthology check out: http://www.loose-muse.com

The cover image is by Lorraine Clark.

 

Sperm Vampire takes wing at Loose Muse launch

Thanks to the verve and sheer gung-ho brilliance of Loose Muse founder Agnes Meadows (plus some very handy Arts Council funding) – another Loose Muse anthology came wriggling and squealing into the world last week.

And after a stiff drink and a deep breath, Claire Booker took to the stage at Cotton’s, Clerkenwell, to give a no-holds barred reading of her short play ‘Sperm Vampire’ at the launch party.

The latest edition of Loose Muse features poetry, prose and drama from 35 women writers living as far afield as Greece, Australia, Spain and the USA.  Highlights include poetry by Sue Johns, Cath Drake and Poets Scratching Heads’ member, Natasha Morgan, plus stories by Isabel White and Naomi Woddis.  A second play by Claire (Rainbow Baby) is also included.

Loose Muse is London’s premier Women’s Writing event that meets every second Wednesday of the month (excl. August) at the Poetry Cafe, Betterton Street, Covent Garden.  It offers a generous 5 minute open mic for any woman writer to show their work, together with UK and international invited guest readers.  Men are very welcome to attend as members of the audience. For more information about Loose Muse events and publications, please visit:http://www.loose-muse.com

To buy a copy of the Loose Muse anthology, please visit:http://www.flippedeye.net

Natasha Morgan performs at Cotton’s

Loose Muse anthology launch – waiting for kick off