About this event

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

How do poets set to work? Why, and how, does someone decide to write poetry - and what are the roads that lead to becoming a poet? And when does a poet decide to perform - or to aim for publication? During this event two poets, Jean Atkin and Colin Wells, will perform their poetry, share their experiences and discuss their personal approach and process when it comes to writing and finding an audience.

Jean Atkin is a poet, writer and experienced educator, based in Shropshire. She has worked on a variety of residencies in both England and Scotland, provided workshops and readings to schools, festivals and community and national organisations and is experienced in working with the very elderly, and people living with dementia. She has mentored emerging poets, lead online poetry courses and works regularly with children and young people, often through Writing West Midlands – as lead writer for Shrewsbury Spark Young Writers.

Jean has also been working with Shropshire-based eclectic folk band Whalebone, writing a group of poems to explore the new lore of the county – the stories just within – and just out of – living memory. Whalebone have composed music to weave through the poems. This Arts Council supported performance project is 'Understories'.

Jean's second collection, How Time is in Fields was published in spring 2019 by Indigo Dreams Publishing, and launched at Cheltenham Poetry Festival. Previous collections include Not Lost Since Last Time with Oversteps Books (2013), pamphlets with Roncadora Press, Ravenglass Press and Biscuit Tin Press, and a children’s novel, The Crow House.

Colin writes articles for magazines, and scripts for comedians and business speakers, including himself, and has performed at the BBC, Granada Television, The Other Place, Disney, ICC, NEC and many other locations worldwide. He has supported other Arts organisations, including The Royal Shakespeare Company, where he was a governor and sponsor, The Bewdley Festival, and Multistory, where he is Chair.

Colin has a First-Class Honours in English Language, Literature and Creative Writing. He writes and performs poetry – often about topical subjects – at festivals, clubs, open mics and poetry slams.

Titles include: Jason and the Argos Catalogue, Somewhere in Ikea, I really want to be a weather girl and 33 reasons why I'll never make it as a performance poet after seeing Dr. John Cooper Clarke.

Colin is a regular performer at poetry events, festivals and open mics, and is a multiple Slam finalist, including winning the Shrewsbury Festival of Literature Slam in 2019.

https://jeanatkin.com/

https://www.bridgnorthwriters.org/copy-of-members-name

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