I was delighted to have one of my short short stories, Underground (previously published in PANK a few years ago - scroll down) chosen for their "Underground" themed night on Friday night, where it would be read by an actor. And I was invited to come along (they really like the writers to be there) and listen.
Well, I've been to live lit events before, but never one where the tables had proper cake stands filled with tiny homemade cakes, tea cups brimmed with sweeties (yes, gentle reader, I ate them all), and where the chip butties flowed freely! Not only were the readings - by organizers Gareth and Bernadette, actors and writers, and the guest reader, Fiona - excellent, but the atmosphere was wonderful, they constantly made sure that I was okay, since I'd come alone, and supplied with chip butties. After all the readings, we played pass-the-parcel! (Non-Brits, see here for explanation) with prizes! I felt well and truly back in the 1970s, in the best way - especially given the Wombles-themed story that came with soundtrack. I went home with a specially-printed copy of my story in a beautifully-made folder and a White Rabbit memory stick I bought with Gareth and Bernadette reading about 3 hours of stories.
A cracking evening, a delight for writers, a joy for anyone who loves stories and loves being read to - submit for their next themed nights, see The White Rabbit for more. I can't recommend this highly enough, thank you Gareth and Bernadette!
9 comments:
I completely agree! White Rabbit read one of my stories at the first salon they did in Ashford. It was an elegant evening of sweets, cakes, and sinister fiction. They also hope that writers will send their work on to Ether Books as White Rabbit stories. A generous, genuinely wonderful company. I could not recommend them more highly!
Thanks so much for reminding me about Ether, that's also a great plus point! We had quite a few sinister, scary underground stories... Do they do a regular Ashford gig too?
Sounds lovely! ...and now I'm hungry for cake and I swore no baking this week since my stomach likes cake so much it is starting to resemble on, a fluffy one. :(
Yes, they are fab, aren't they. Gareth read one of my stories at Ashford. Made it sound soooo much better! And he gave me some great tips about reading afterwards.
Sounds like my cup of tea! Great idea and easy on the cup cakes! Ciao cat
Oh Lauri, what is life without cake??!
Neil, lovely to hear about your experiences too, Gareth is a brilliant reader, isn't he?
Cat - come, come!
What lovely bunch you all are! Thanks for all the comments- fantastic to be so encouraged. See you all at the next one???!!!
Oh that sounds so wonderful. I'd LOVE to go to this!
Bernadette, you inspire the loveliness!
Sarah - it is SO your kind of thing, go go go! (Cakes, sweets, chip butties and stories...)
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