Lots of Weird and Wonderful Readings
I talk about public readings, reading as a professional, and reading unusual poetry.
Speak Up Reading Is Full
Our SpeakUp reading in a bookshop tomorrow night (5 June) is full – woohoo. There are only 15 seats in the bookshop, but still, it's fierce cool. The bookshop in question is Little Lane Bookshop in Waterford City, and I'll share all the scandal from the open mic next week. Meanwhile, you can register for the Japanese Gardens Gathering, which is now a mere nine days away, on 14 June.
Creating A Reader's Report
I was approached this week to create a reader's report for a budding author. A reader's report is a report which gives a budding author feedback on the book they're aiming to publish. It indicates areas where the author can strengthen their stories and gives an overall verdict on how ready the book is for publication.
Photo Description: The words Readers Report appear in white on a blue background.
In my reader's report, I'll give the author pointers on character creation, setting, plot and dialogue. A reader's report isn't an edit, but I'll comment on how well she uses language overall. In conclusion, I'll give the author an indication of how ready her book is for publication.
If you'd like me to do a reader's report for you, you can email me on derbhile@writewords.ie. You'll find more information about my reader's report service on my website.
The Four-Faced Liar Competition
Cork-based literary journal The Four-Faced Liar is running a competition and the winners will be published in its next issue. You're invited to submit pieces in the short story, poetry, creative non-fiction and flash fiction categories. Entry is €12 and you submit it through the Four Faced Liar's website, where you'll also find submission guidelines. Entries must be submitted by 30 June.
WordNerd: Clerihew
The WordNerd loves words about words, i.e. words that describe different aspects of language or forms of writing. Recently she came across the clerihew, a four-line rhyming poem that tells the life story of a famous person. The clerihew is named after its inventor, Edmund Clerihew Bentley. It's usually whimsical in tone, and is intended as a form of light entertainment.