Supporting writers of African and Asian descent
After an exciting and eventful 2011, we crossed over into 2012 with bright hopes for another great 12 months of new ventures and achievements. With with it also being the 25th anniversary of Peepal Tree Press, spirits were high and Inscribe’s enthusiasm and success continued! With additional ACE funding, we developed Inscribe from a regional operation to a national one. New and continuing partnerships and developments over the years have included some really great opportunities for our members/writers as well as new members and writers in key regions.
2011 HIGHLIGHTS
March saw JACOB SAM-LA ROSE lead a really constructive, and insightful masterclass, brimming with useful tips, on the best way to make use of web-based tools and social media. Our February 2012 follow-up session is already fully booked! We also hosted and partnered a Passing The Baton event. Gone-but-not-forgotten being Passing The Baton’s aim, living writers shared works from their chosen literary ‘presiding spirit’. We heard work from esteemed, and often overlooked writers such as Maud Sulter (1960-2008), Amryl Johnson (1944–2001), Reginald Shepherd (1963-2008) and Dambudzo Marachera (1952-1987). Then, in April, we had a thrilling workshop led by a talented, legendary poet and activist in the struggle for Black social liberation, and for radical, political and social change in the USA: JAYNE CORTEZ. A small group of aspiring young writers embarked on a wonderful opportunity in this workshop, taking a look at definitions of revolution and freedom. It is due to our friends at Leeds Young Authors and London's George Padmore Institute, that Inscribe were able to enjoy the privilege of JAYNE CORTEZ’s company. A big thanks to everyone who was involved! Throughout 2011, Young Inscribers, made their presence felt at various events around the country, including the wonderful Numbi: Pop-Up Monthly Event in London where SAM ELMI performed to a welcoming audience. In September, ADAM LOWE and ZODWA NYONI brought poetic delights to first Leed’s Independent Poetry Presses Festival. Our Inscribe Originals made contributions to Shake! Young voices in Arts, Media, Race & Power (London), Leeds Young Authors and more. Not forgetting their individual achievements, including SENI SENEVIRATNE being featured in the prestigious Bloodaxe anthology “Ten: new poets from Spread the Word”, SIMON MURRAY’s fantastic appearance at Leed’s Independent Poetry Presses Festival. And KHADIJAH IBRAHIIM finalising the manuscript she worked on during her El Gouna Residential (Egypt) in 2010. It’s noteworthy, that since its inception El Gouna, has regularly invited Peepal Tree writers: SENI SENEVIRATNE, OPAL PALMER ADISA and Inscribe Co-Director KADIJA GEORGE! In October we partnered with KALA SANGAM, in Bradford, to hold what we hope will be the first in an occasional series of life-stories events. ADAM LOWE, SIMON MURRAY & DOROTHEA SMARTT, presented on the theme of ‘Landscape’, within the confines and challenges of the ‘pecha kucha’ inspired format - twenty images: ten minutes. Each offered their personally intriguing, and at times surprising take on the theme. We also held a popular, eye-opening, and fun workshop, with visiting graphic book writer, BELDAN SEZEN. She led a practical session, full of useful information, that got even the most drawing-shy writer to produce! At Inscribe, a masterclass is always an inspiring and rewarding experience, and November saw another fantastic one take place. This class led by the leading Caribbean author and creative writing teacher, MERLE COLLINS, was a real word- appreciation session! It involved close readings of texts, and an in-depth look at language choice. As a hugely respected contributor to Caribbean literature, it was such a privilege to have Peepal Tree author, MERLE COLLINS at the head of this workshop.
2012 HIGHLIGHTS
In 2011 we successfully secured, initial funds from iMOVE to produce our project To Market, To Market This provided an opportunity for four young Black & Asian writers to gain experience of being commissioned. Guidance and mentoring, was provided by, Inscribe Originals, KHADIJAH IBRAHIIM and SAI MURRAY, with skills workshops from KATY MASSEY and ROMMI SMITH. Young Inscribers contributed blog reports, and other media inputs, from the Peepal Tree led conference: Narrating the Caribbean Nation: A Celebration of Literature & Orature”, 14-15 April at Leeds Metropolitan University. Panellists/presenters/performers included Inscribe Originals and their work, among major Black British academics and scholars from the Caribbean diaspora, along with Peepal Tree Press authors, from as far afield as Jamaica and Newcastle! Our stimulating Masterclasses included workshops focusing on the ‘short story’ led by the talented author and facilitator JACOB ROSS. With his impressive record of literary publications and achievements, including his award-winning novel “Pynter Bender” (2010) and his earlier short story collections “Song for Simone” (1986) and “A Way to Catch the Dust” (1999), he will be guest editor of Inscribe's short fiction anthology "Closure". In March another of our Inscribe Originals SOHAIL KHAN, led an exciting practice-based performance skills session: The Song or the Singer? We also held sessions focused on the practical sides of writing, publication and performance. including the perfecting of grammar and punctuation for writers, editing work, and working with editors. CLOSURE: Contemporary Black British Short Stories
ed. Jacob Ross
Inscribe Series Editor: Kadija George
"...This anthology by leading Black and Asian British writers is filled with a rich variety of stories, which, like life, rarely end in the way we might expect... Listed in BuzzFeed's ‘22 Brilliant New Books You Should Read’
http://www.peepaltreepress.com/books/closure
We wish our writers very productive and innovative days ahead, meeting some inspirational characters along the way, practicing and developing their craft! Keep a pen in your hand…
Kadija George, Inscribe Publications Manager
&
Dorothea Smartt, Inscribe Programme Manager
[email protected]
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+44 (0)113 2451703
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INSCRIBE - supporting writers of African & Asian descent. http://www.facebook.com/inscribewriters
A project of Peepal Tree Press, the home of challenging and inspiring literature from the Caribbean and Black Britain. Check out our online bookstore and resource: www.peepaltreepress.com
