New African Woman

I have to give thanks to my writing buddy Christine Collymore for informing me about the New African Woman Magazine she had seen in her local newsagents in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, especially as its first issue included two articles of particular interest to my current work on my Shangwe Hair & Skin Anthology, 'The politics of Black Women's hair' and 'What is the ideal Black Beauty? (the cover story). Those two pieces alone inspired me to rush to my local newsagents to track down a copy. However, this proved an almost impossible mission and I was at a loss as to why, in London of all places, I couldn't see this magazine in the shops!

Being a woman of substance I wasn't going to give up easily. Eventually, I ordered a copy from IC Publications and discovered that it may be easier to just subscribe rather than all this chasing around. I received my copy of New African Woman yesterday and all I can say is it was well worth the wait and little hassle getting hold of a copy. Yes, indeed, this first issue is very impressive. The Editor, Regina Jere-Malanda states her decision to launch the magazine as:

"We passionately believe that even though the publishing world is swamped with all sorts of women's publications, African women still have difficulty finding magazines that seriously tackle issues pertaining to their lifestyle, beauty, fashion and cultural needs. Where available, most women's publications target either the Caucasian, African-American or Caribbean markets, and give little coverage - or no coverage at all - to issues that pertain to the indigenous African woman and those in its Diaspora."

Now having read the magazine, Regina is spot on. I loved browsing the beautifully laid out pages full of colourful fashion & design, celebrity interviews, a special focus on Africa's women of influence, and a man's viewpoint on 'Say No to Sexual Objectification Full Stop! was particularly insightful reading. There is much more so I recommend you rush out and pick up a copy.

New African Woman Magazine is £4.00 per back issue and £16.00 for a one year subscription. However, it's £2.00 in the shops!

Contact: IC Publications on: 020 8950 9117

or email: icpubs@alliance-media.co.uk

http://www.africasia.com/

Rasta in the White House

Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley and family visit the Obamas...

When I first set eyes upon the above photos, I just smiled - it was such a lovely image and I knew that this image could never have existed during the Bush years. Only in Obama's time...

I think the images speak for so many of us and it makes me realise how important it is to see ourselves in different and unique settings that are usually not accessible by us as African-Caribbeans.

Small Publishers' Fair

On 24th October 2008, I attended a Small Publishers Fair; an international artists’ book fair now in its seventh year. The event was held at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn, London and featured over fifty publishers of books by contemporary artists, poets, writers and composers.

I spent two hours browsing and did lots of networking. Admission was free and included wine. Highlights were: inspiring and insightful dialogue with two students on the Poetic Practice MA programme – which explores contemporary experimental practices in poetry in relation to contemporary theory and new media. To view their blogs:

http://www.myrevelationnation.blogspot.com/

http://www.digressionsandhiccups.blogspot.com/

The Small Publishers Fair is on 24th and 25th October from 11am to 7pm and organised by the Research Group for Artists Publications (RGAP), http://www.rgap.co.uk/

Other links made:

www.cornerhouse.org/books

http://www.crisap.org/

http://www.postjournal.org/

http://www.atlanticpressbooks.com/

http://cuneiformpress.com

Above image Shepard's dilemma Collage, mixed media courtesy of Bernd Reichert of Brussels.

Shangwe Poetry Event - Feedback

I received this email yesterday, and thought it needed sharing:

Dear Nicole Moore,

I am writing to thank you for organising the poetry night Shangwe. I attended on the last Thursday of August and I am pleased to say I got my money's worth. I was doing an extended project at college on poems based on the views of young black people living in Britain and whether they viewed themselves as British.

The poetry night helped a lot as although I had the views I did not have the poems. The event showcased to me what poetry is, a way of expression, and that is why I wanted to write poetry. The poetry night also exposed me to poems about identity, which is what I was looking for, in particular Akuba's The Awakening of Elmina and the first poem performed by Devon "the Split" Jones.

I am pleased to say that I have completed my own poems and project as a whole. Also I wanted to add that I noticed you in my local paper discussing our hair and black history month. If time permits I may be contributing my own story as well.

Regards,

Caroline Sabiiti.

Caroline also sent me a couple of poems, which I will be posting in the future.

Exploring Black Sexuality

Today I received a copy of Trespass Magazine, NOIR edition, October/November 2008, which published a five page feature I wrote called, ‘Exploring Black Sexuality’. This is the sixth issue of Trespass and final one for this year. In this NOIR issue, the magazine includes features, poetry, art, short stories and an interview.

My feature discusses Black British women’s sexuality using personal perspectives and drawing reference to those contributions within my anthology Sexual Attraction Revealed: a selection of creative expressions by black and mixed-race women (2007). I was particularly pleased to see my feature published with images from Adelaide Damoah, best known for her 2006 exhibition Black Brits. http://www.damoaharts.com/

It always feels good to see your work in print and I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, from sounding out my ideas with the magazine’s editor, Sara-Mae Tuson, whose editing expertise was extremely helpful and enlightening, to discussing my ideas with my writing colleagues.

For more information about Trespass Magazine visit:

http://www.trespassmagazine.co.uk/

TRESPASS 'NOIR' LAUNCH!
Trespass magazine is launching its 6 and final issue of the year at the marvellous Cross Kings. With poets, performance artists and a bit of musical madness as well - you'll not want to miss it.

Date: Wednesday 5th November

Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Cross Kings, 126 York Way
London, N1 OAX
Entry fee: £3
Contact: Sara-Mae admin@trespassmagazine.co.uk

Journeys

On 25th September 2008, I hosted the final Shangwe Poetry Night at The Poetry Café, Covent Garden, London. The theme for the show was ‘Journeys’. This special event featured two poets: Christine Bell and Ursula Troche with five open mic performers: J C Abraham, Jennifer, Christopher, Julie and Mark.

Whilst we were being entertained with superb, quality spoken word performances, we dipped into a box of home made cakes, courtesy of Christine Bell who got these gems whipped up at 5am that morning!

I felt a mixture of pleasure and pensiveness as it was such a goose pimply evening for me made even more emotional by Christine Bell’s finale poem highlighted below:

Farewell to Shangwe

Sweet celebration mixed with sadness
Saying farewell to Shangwe
So many connections forged
Friendships fostered
A kinship of those who care for creativity

The speciality of Shangwe will endure
Open atmosphere allowing
a freedom of expression without fear
Rich diversity forming a fabric
of shape and sound
Magical power of personal stories
Unfolding in rhythm and rhyme
Enriching the gathering

Heartfelt thanks to our Nicole
Creator of Shangwe, keeping things going
Encouraging others to blossom
No ending really but sweet certainty
of the birth of something even more beautiful

Short Stories

In this month’s Talking Point, my focus is on the short story genre. One of the ‘issues’ that arose at LitCamp’s unconference was how short stories are not perceived as worthy of mainstream publishing since they generally don’t sell well, or sell in enough volume as say novels.

Even if this is the case, I have found reading short stories as satisfying, and in some cases more satisfying than novels. For example, I vividly remember reading Olive Senior’s second story collection Arrival of the Snake-Woman (1989), an enchanting book of seven short stories, which were particularly well written and a pleasure to read.

In my view, short doesn’t equal less good and ‘less is more’ comes to my mind, since a lot of writing skill is required to be economic with words and yet ensure the depth of a story is there so that nothing is wasted.

According to Dianne Doubtfire in Creative Writing, (2003), ‘Short stories can be any length from 500 to 2500 words, depending on the market, or up to 5000 words for writing competitions. An average 850-1000 is a good ‘canvas’ for a story as it is a popular length with magazines.’

If you are new to writing, the thought of writing a novel of say 60,000 – 80,000 words can be quite daunting, which is why attempting to write a short story can be a great way to test your skills and learn the trade – the craft – of writing.

Suggested Reading:

Arrival of the Snake-Woman by Olive Senior. Publ 1989.

Turf: Short Stories by new black writers. Edited by Jacob Ross and Andrea Enisuoh. Publ 2004 by Black Inc

The Monkey’s Typewriter with Contributions from Willesden Green Writers’ Workshop. Publ 2005 Winner of Raymond Williams Award.

NEWS:
*Centerprise Literature Short Story Competition 2008. Welcomes short stories from new and established writers on any theme. Stories should be 4000 words max and will be judged by the Centerprise in-house creative writing team: Jacob Ross, Martina Evans and Andrea Enisuoh.

Competition Deadline: 15th October 2008 - for entry form and competition rules please email: literature@centerprisetrust.org.uk. All winning entries plus shortlist will be considered for publication in a future anthology of work to be published by Centerprise. The top three selected entries will be read by a Literary Agency with a view to future developments.

*Centerprise Literature is an arts development agency for the promotion of access to and enjoyment of literature in all its forms. Through local and community based initiatives we offer courses, workshops and one to one support to new and aspiring writers.