Arachneversary – Five by Five

Our penultimate video for the Arachneversary. This is quite long, as all five writers contributed both thoughts and/or readings. We enjoyed it so much we’re thinking of doing it regularly. Featuring Joan Taylor-Rowan, Cassandra Passarelli, Katy Darby, Helen Morris and Sarah James.

Five by Five was one of our books celebrating the centenary of some women in the UK finally getting the vote. There’s nothing about voting in it, just women going about their (extr)ordinary lives.

You can buy a copy from our webshop

If you are quick you can still use our August discount code, ARACHNEVERSARY – it EXPIRES 31st AUGUST!

 

 

Lockdown reading: The Cormorant by Clare Owen

Collateral damage from Covid-19 has been having to delay the publication of Zed and the Cormorants, by Clare Owen. It was a tough decision but, it turns out, the right one; and next year we will be able to put together a really strong campaign to support the book.

In the meantime, here is Clare reading her short story from An Outbreak of Peace, The Cormorant which was very much a calling card for Zed, sharing, as it does, a location and character names, although not characters, unless you count the cormorant!

 

 

Lockdown readings: We Dig the Pig

Poet Angel Warwick reads his poem from Time and Tide, ‘We Dig the Pig’

You can buy Time and Tide, and other Arachne books, from our webshop, we will post them out to you.

If you would prefer eBooks, all these books are available from your usual retailer, now VAT free! We recommend Hive for ePub.

Happy #IDAHOBIT everyone, and happy publication day to Cathy Bryant

To celebrate IDAHOBIT (INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA, INTERSEXISM & TRANSPHOBIA) here’s a poem from Cathy Bryant‘s collection, Erratics, published today!!

We are still working on avenue for the official launch, bt Cathy will be reading at Stirred Poetry at 3MT on Oldham Street in Manchester,  on Monday 28th May.

Congratulations Cathy!

Shit People Say to Bisexuals
Cathy Bryant

You’re just greedy, aren’t you?
So when do you think you’ll make up your mind?
Are you a tourist?
When you’re going out with a man, what’s the difference
between you and a straight?
You’re straight really, aren’t you?
When you’re going out with a woman, what’s the difference
between you and a lesbian? You’re gay really, aren’t you?
Do you just want to fuck everybody?
Would you like a threesome? If so, does it have to be with
one of each?
Which is better, sex with a man or with a woman?
I want you to come to more gay events, to make you more gay.
Why not just be straight? After all, you can choose.
Is it just desperation?
Do you just think that no man will want you, but you want
to keep your options open?
Ah, I’m sorry to hear that – you can never settle down or get married, can you?
Well, everyone’s bisexual, aren’t they?
You’re doubly damned because you could choose not to sin.
You are so lucky not to have to deal with any of the
prejudices and preconceptions that we do.
You have it easiest of anyone, don’t you?

copyright Cathy Bryant/ Arachne Press Limited

The Old Woman is in Ealing this weekend

Another outing for The Old Woman from Friuli!

Ghillian Potts‘ creation will continue her tour of London Libraries at West Ealing Library Melbourne Avenue, Ealing, W13 9BT

Reading by the author’s daughter & publisher Cherry Potts

Saturday 12th August 2pm Free

Suitable for everyone age of 5 and above

Books available for sale

In the meantime here’s Sarah Feathers reading the book at Osterley Library last month!

The Old Woman & Brat at Deptford Lounge

Carrie Cohen is reprising her readings of The Old Woman From Friuli & BRAT at

Deptford Lounge, 5 Giffin Street, SE8 4RQ on 1st July at 11am

For younger readers (5-9, and up to 90 really) Bad tempered dukes, clever counsellors, and really stuborn old women.

For young adults (11-16 plus) outlaws, missing fathers and beggar children in a fantasy novel which is the first of a trilogy.

The Dowry Blade reading from Brompton Library

Here’s a snippet of Cherry Potts reading from The Dowry Blade at this week’s reading & writing workshop at Brompton Library. A segment from just past the middle of the book, and Killan finds himself in trouble.

Rebellion: Writing Fantasy

 Rebellion: Writing Fantasy, author talk and workshop

Author Cherry Potts reads from her new novel The Dowry Blade, and discusses ways of writing fantasy with an opportunity for a short writing exercise for the audience.

World building, weird logic and rule breaking at

Brompton Library

210 Old Brompton Road

London SW5 0BS

Thursday 14 April 18:30-19:45

Attending the London Book Fair?  This event is on the final day and Brompton Library is one stop on the tube/overground away from Olympia, at West Brompton, then a short walk.

Video of The Dowry Blade launch event Lewisham Library

Video

Here’s the video of Cherry Potts reading the ‘obligatory tavern scene’ from The Dowry Blade at Lewisham Library on Wednesday

Lewisham Libraries have been good friends to us, and provided a buffet and everything! There are more videos to come, and sound files from the event at Clapham Books on Thursday.

If you like what you see here, head over to our events page for details of more readings in March and April, in Beckenham (Thursday 3rd March, that’s next week) , Kings Cross (Gays the Word 24th March), Earls Court ( Brompton Library 14th April) and Hastings (Polari on Sea)…

or to our SHOP to buy a copy, or to your local bookshop, of course.

 

 

Launching The Dowry Blade in Clapham

Our lovely friends at Clapham Books are hosting a publication day event for
The Dowry Blade our first adult novel, by Cherry Potts.

Join us at 

Clapham Books

26 The Pavement, Clapham Common, SW4 0JA

7:30 – 9pm on Thursday 25th February

for reading, signed copies of the book and discussion,

Free!

The Dowry Blade FRONT Cover final

The Dowry Blade is a lesbian epic fantasy of the strength and limitations of love and loyalty in a time of war and danger: between friends, lovers, kin, strangers– and enemies.