Small Publishers' Fair 2010

On 13th November, as part of the Small Publishers Fair 2010, I was invited to participate in an afternoon of readings, held in the Brockway Room at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London. The Small Publishers Fair is an international fair celebrating books by contemporary artists, poets, writers, composers, book designers, and their publishers.

I read extracts from Hair Power Skin Revolution’s Introduction: The Journey So Far, and contributor Fiona Joseph read her personal essay Hair Wars: Growing up Frizzy followed by Pauline Walker who read her personal essay ‘Your Hair is Your Beauty’. I ended the reading with two of my poems from the book’s skin section – SKIN and Lost for Words.

I met some lovely people, Yasmin, who is studying at Kings College, London and who wants to write a dissertation on the subject of Black women and hair and I look forward to our dialogue developing soon; also Sophia and Valerie who had heard about the event through CatchaVibe’s website and who were keen to discuss the book’s themes further.

The event went well despite a small audience and with only a 30 minute slot, the usual interactive debate developed quite naturally in the lobby area where refreshments were available. As usual, I felt inspired by meeting such dynamic individual women and feel sure we will meet up again soon either on the net or at another event.

Thanks must go to contributors Fiona Joseph and Pauline Walker and to the Small Publishers Fair organisers Martin Rogers and Alan Halsey for supporting this event.

For more information about the Small Publishers Fair,

please visit: http://www.rgap.co.uk/

Photos in ascending order:

Pauline Walker, Nicole Moore & Fiona Joseph (courtesy of Yasmin)

Fiona Joseph

Pauline Walker

Spread the Word 15

On 12th November, I was invited, courtesy of Patsy Antoine, to Spread the Word's 15th Anniversary Party at Brixton Library, South London. This was a party to celebrate 15 years of looking out for London's writers. Hosted by Malika Booker, our entertainment included an opening presentation by Bernadine Evaristo, author and former Director of Spread the Word; writer Karen McCarthy Woolf who did something weird in the weird corner! Stacy Makishi performed 'There's a Hole in My Heart That Goes All The Way to China' and Patsy Antoine & Nathalie Teitler answered questions on the Wall of Sound...

I met some new contacts, including Barra pictured with me celebrating above, and some old contacts including Olu, who has won several prizes for short stories, and is an inspiration to be in the presence of. It was just a lovely way to party, literary style of course!

Oh and as I was leaving, I was presented with a wonderful goody bag, which included a copy of Stephen King on Writing, which I have heard is a must read memoir of the craft, a copy of Poetry London and a copy of Home from Home, which presents a snap shot of the Elephant & Castle at the beginning of the 21st Century, by Eva Sajovic (photos) and Sarah Butler (text).

Spread the Word is a catalyst for developing writers. They provide a dynamic range of services and opportunities for all levels of writers including advice and information, networking, mentoring, events and work in the community. For more information, please visit: http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/

As always, I felt so inspired by this event, that during my tube journey home, I got busy jotting down notes for my new collection of creative writing (poems & personal essays) and that is what it's all about...

Photos in ascending order:

Nicole Moore & Barra - courtesy of Patsy Antoine

Patsy Antoine

Nicole Moore

Streetlife FM - Waltham Forest

Another great start to the month, today, I was invited by Gillian Lawrence as a guest on Streetlifefm radio show, with presenter Mary Blue, based at a new space in Waltham Forest College, East London.

I have to admit I love participating in radio shows; its the spontaneity that inspires me, and this community show was fun! I even got to select a playlist of 3 of my favourite songs, which included Exodus by Bob Marley and two tracks from The Diary of Alicia Keys CD (If I was your woman; If I ain't got you).

My slot lasted about 25 minutes and included me discussing my background as a writer/poet and reading extracts from my book Hair Power Skin Revolution's poems: My Hair and Lost for Words.

As luck would have it, I have been invited to appear on Mary Blue's show again on Thursday, 2nd December. Watch this space...

Photos courtesy of Gillian Lawrence in ascending order:

Nicole Moore & Mary Blue

Nicole Moore

For more info about Streetlifefm visit:

http://www.streetlifefm.com/