Water, Poets for the Planet and what's on?
Making waves with First Friday, Poets for the Planet, Margate Fiction Writers and paid writing opportunities!
WATER: First Friday, 5th April 6-9pm
Ahead of Earth Day 2024, we are diving into the theme of Water for our next installment of First Friday. Water means something to everyone, whether it’s the sea, rivers, rain or the water that comes out of your tap. Anyone curious about our connections with water is invited to Margate’s Marine Studios on 5th April 2024 to explore water through art, science and play.
Featuring interactive activities and performances from Poets for the Planet, plus exhibits from coastal drag icon Shelly Grotto, Mergate Mermaid Parade and Dan Thompson Studio.
Local studios, artists, shops and venues are invited to contribute to the theme in their own way on the same day. Tell us what you’re up to and we will share it on our socials! Drop us an email.
Friday 5th April, 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.
To find out about upcoming events visit our website.
Accessibility: find out about this event and space in our access statement.
Who are Poets for the Planet?
With connections to poets across the UK and internationally, Poets for the Planet is popping up at festivals and events throughout 2024. Poets for the Planet is a community of kindred poets, performers, artists and creative activists raising their voices to engage with climate and ecological emergency through poetry in all its forms.
Hear poetry from visiting poets Jacqueline Saphra, Gale Burns, Claire Collison and Sue Johns, dive in to the theme of Water with fellow writers by creating a collaborative renga, and explore our pop up book shop!
Poets for the Planet founder and award-winning poet Jacqueline Saphra says:
“Poets for the Planet sets out to use poetry and creativity to understand and explore the climate crisis, so we’re excited to be part of this event. From the sewage crisis to rising sea levels, water has emerged as an important theme for us and we can’t wait to explore this with Margate’s community.”
Anyone can join Poets for the Planet, find out more in person at out First Friday event or take a look at Poets for the Planet online.
Join Margate Fiction Writers
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. Bring along 500–700 words that you're happy to read aloud.
We’re kicking off the sessions on Monday 15th April from 6.30-8.30pm, at Marine Studios. Let us know you’re coming via email or RSVP via Instagram.
National Poetry Writing Month
National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) begins on 1st April with a challenge to write a poem a day for 30 days.
“There’s no secret handshakes or application forms. All you have to do is write a poem every day from 1st - 30th April. If you’ll be posting your efforts to a blog or other internet space this year, you can submit the link using our “Submit Your Site” form, and your website will show up in our “Participants’ Sites” list.”
Come and get inspired at the Writers’ Room - check out the poetry library, come along to one of our writing sprints, or share a draft at Margate Stanza.
For more details on check out the NaPoWriMo website, or join one of our events.
Looking back: CENSORED!
We were so pleased with how the March First Friday: Censored! event went. It was a double-bill, so there were a lot of moving parts! Connor Sansby and Dan Thompson held the fort at Marine Studios for an evening exploring the history of censorship in the UK (the Marine Studios library now has a lot more adult-themed content), rounded off with a brilliant 18+ "Tinder Bender" poetry performance by Violet Malice of Screaming Alley fame.
While over at The Margate School, Ant, Jess and Rachel were handing out popcorn for the screening of Simon Sheridan's Respectable: The Mary Millington Story. Simon's Q&A was a super insightful chat into the life (and death) of Britain's first genuine sex superstar.
Opportunities for writers
Write for the Margate Mercury
Klaxon for paid Writers' Room opportunity at Margate Mercury! Editor Twinkle Troughton is looking for sustainability-related summer edition 2024 ideas (focused on Margate). She is also open to any other Margate-related features. Copy deadline (if your pitch is accepted) is 1st May, to submit email Twinkle.
Bread and Roses Poetry Awards
Culture Matters are asking for poems to focus as usual on themes relevant to working-class life, struggle, communities and culture, including poems on the Spirit of Socialism / the Socialism of the Spirit, to be interpreted as broadly as entrants can imagine. Open until the end of August, found out more and submit .
Author of Tomorrow Award
The Author of Tomorrow Award is an annual competition designed to find the adventure writers of the future. It is open to young people, aged 21 and under, who have completed a short piece of adventure writing in English. The 2024 Author of Tomorrow Award is open for submissions until 30th April, 2024. Find out how to submit your work here.
What’s on?
First Friday: WATER!
Friday 5th April 6-9pm / Marine Studios
For our next installment of First Friday we're diving into the theme of Water! Come and explore this curious element, from the sea, to rivers, to rain, through art, science and play. Suitable for all ages. Free to attend
BABESLAM: The rest is all unwritten
Wednesday 10th April, 7pm / Where else?
Join reigning BABESLAM champs Zara and Michael Isaacs for a night of sexy stanza and snappy spoken word at Margate’s favourite indie music venue. Tickets £5 / Performers sign up via email
Margate Fiction Writers
Monday 15th April, 6.30pm-8.30pm / Marine Studios
A friendly and supportive prose fiction session on the First Monday of every month at Marine Studios. Share your work, offer (and receive) constructive criticism and support fellow local scribes. Free to attend / RSVP via email or DM on Instagram
Margate Stanza
Wednesday 17th April, 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
Camp Book Club
Every Third Thursday, 7pm / Camp Margate
Join Camp Book Club for an evening of relaxed conversation around a selection of queer curated reads. Free to attend