Echoes of the Empire: An Art and Poetry Journey
We love collaboration and are delighted to share that Michi Masumi is guest curating September's First Friday! Read on for details and all the usual great writer opportunities and events.
EMPIRE: First Friday, 6th September 6-9pm
Join us for our September First Friday event, curated and hosted by Kent-based Phoetrystra (Photo Poet) Michi Masumi.
The evening will be an exploration into how art and poetry capture and critique the British Empire’s influence and legacy – it begins at 6.45pm with a welcome by Michi, who we are delighted to announce is hosting September’s First Friday. During the evening Michi will read poetry showcasing diverse voices and experiences; present an overview of the British Empire and its global impact, its rise and fall and its lingering effects in contemporary times; and host an open-floor Q&A.
There will also be art and books on Empire to explore at your own pace, and a signal flags exhibition by resident studio-holder Dan Thompson – the flags were originally commissioned by Estuary Festival and flown at Tilbury, to mark the spot the SS Empire Windrush docked. And as always, a welcoming, engaging and encouraging atmosphere.
Friday 6th September, 6-9pm at Marine Studios, 17 Albert Terrace, Margate, CT9 1UJ. This event is suitable for all ages, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. BYO drinks and snacks.
To find out about upcoming events visit our website.
Accessibility: find out about this event and space in our access statement.
A bit about guest curator Michi Masumi
Michi Masumi (she/her) is a Phoetrystra (Photo Poet) and works as an Arts and Culture Intern. Currently PhD Research student at Canterbury Christ Church University, Specialising in Black British Visual Arts and Poetry. Her art forms are photography, digital & AI Art, poetry, and design, and has collaborated with Intra Arts, Mandinga Arts, Nucleus Arts, and Medway Pride. Her projects focus on social concepts vs self-identity through Intersectional portraiture which highlights Mental Health, Addiction, Female social struggles, Politics, and Black British Diversity.
Learn more about Michi on her website and the British Art Network.
Looking back: PRIDE
Thank you to everyone who joined us on one of the hottest days of the year so far for August’s First Friday, which took Rosa Rankin-Gee’s novel Dreamland as its PRIDE inspiration.
Our beach-view meeting room was transformed with drapes and a giant cloud: on a big screen you could see how the Isle might be impacted by rising sea levels, there were archives and objects from Arlington House (where the book’s protagonist lives), Charlie Evaristo-Boyce exhibited some bold and beautiful artwork and there was a chance to play a giant board game created by Dan Thompson (Dan also published a zine featuring a frank and funny interview with author Rosa – pop in to read it anytime.)
See more of the night on Instagram.
Join us next month for our First Friday event on 6th September, exploring Empire.
Writing Opportunities
Flash 500
Flash 500 is seeking submissions to their Flash Fiction Competition. Flash fiction is often treated as the poor relation in writing competitions. This, however, is a flash fiction competition that truly reflects the skill required to encapsulate an entire story in just 500 words. Entrants must submit work by 30th September 2024. For more information and submission rules, check out their website.
#Merky Books
The award winning imprint launched in 2018 by Stormzy and Penguin Random House UK has launched its fifth #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize, open to young, underrepresented and unpublished writers from across the UK and ROI. See online here.
The Write To End Violence Against Women Awards
The WEVAW awards are for you if you’re a journalist, writer or content creator in the UK who raises awareness of gender inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls. Submit your piece by 30th September 2024 and see all the details on zerotolerance.org.uk.
What’s on?
In very exciting news, Margate Bookie has announced 2024 dates! Get 28th September to 6th October in your diaries and keep an eye on Margate Bookie’s Instagram for more information. We’ll have a bumper edition next month with everything you need to know about our favourite seaside literature festival.
Kent Poetry Championship Slam
Friday 16th August, 6–10pm / Kent Poetry CIC
Kent’s biggest night of poetry is back on the road! After storming Fort Amherst in Chatham, we're jetting over to the other side of the county to Dover’s Marina Hotel. Ten poets battle it out to get their shot at the Kentish Poetry Championship Belt and £50/£25 prize money for 1st and 2nd place.
Get your tickets here.
Margate Fiction Writers Group
Monday 19th September 6.30-8.30 pm / Marine Studios
Join us for a friendly and supportive prose fiction session on the Third Monday of every month at Marine Studios. Share your work, offer (and receive) constructive criticism and support fellow local scribes.
Free to attend / RSVP
Margate Stanza
Tuesday 20th September, 6.30pm-8.30pm / Marine Studios
A friendly poetry critique group where you’re encouraged to bring and read a poem you’re working on and receive feedback from the group. Free to attend / RSVP on FB or send us an email
Writer’s Block Lite
Friday 23rd August, 9.30am-12.30pm / Marine Studios
Free to attend
One Day ‘Write a Complete Story’ Workshop
Saturday 24th August, 10am–5pm / Turner Contemporary
Led by Dominic from Creative Writer UK, this creative writing workshop is suitable for beginners, writers with projects underway or those looking for a fresh injection of inspiration. It is perfect for all genres and also those wishing to write short stories. £47 Standard / £42 Concessions
Margate Bookshop Bookclub
Wednesday 28th August, 6.30pm / Fort Road Hotel
Join Margate Bookshop Bookclub for this month’s discussion on Mother Naked by Glen James Brown.
Free to attend
First Friday: Empire
Free to attend