For Books' Sake presents That's What She Said

26th October
7pm-10pm
Tickets £4

Venue: Polari at Via,
28 Canal Street,
M1 3EZ
Manchester

It's here! We've been running That's What She Said in London for over a year and now it's finally coming North for a very special Halloween launch event.

That's What She Said is a night of storytelling, spoken word and performance written and performed by women. We welcome a wide range of speakers, showcasing everything from slam poetry, true tales and fiction to contemporary political thought and comedy. Our mission is to champion and celebrate writing by women, and to provide a platform to the writers and performers we love.

Who can you expect to see at our Halloween spoken word spooktacular? We're still finalising the line-up, but featured speakers include...

WORKER BEES, JASMINE CHATFIELD, AMY WHITELL, HANNAH KATE
&
ROSIE GARLAND

http://www.rosiegarland.com/ / @rosieauthor

We're coordinating this event in partnership with our pals at Aspidistra Books, who'll be bringing along a selection of brilliant books by the best women and LGBT writers around for you to browse and buy. All genders are welcome to attend, and we'd love to see you in your Halloween costumes, though you're of course welcome to come as you are too.

ChinWag with Sister BangBang

Thank YOU Sister BangBang for your fun podcast interview!

16 ChinWag with Rosie Garland
Writer, performer, poet, singer, chinwagger extraordinaire - this is part of what the magnificent Rosie Garland is! We get to chat about Rosie's career as a writer (third book soon to be published!), the performer role as Rosie Lugosi and also more about Rosie's involvement in the March Violets - and a tune too! Yes, the first time on ChinWag there's yer actual tune!
Mad, fun and terribly addictive, ChinWag is one nun's quest to interrogate every guest, finding out their innermost secrets. Recorded in bars and cafes around Manchester, ChinWag is divinely unique, deliciously happy and incredibly nosey - it'll rival ELLEN one of these days!

Click to hear the podcast

Queerest of the Queer

Venue: Coronet theatre London 19 sept
Coronet Theatre
28 New Kent Road London SE1 6TJ

Click here to buy tickets!

12 HOURS

1 NIGHT

1 Killer line up - including ROSIE LUGOSI on the Cabaret Stage!

Drown out the corporate spectacle of PRIDE with a TWELVE HOUR ACID MASHUP of #punk #diy #GLAMOUR & so much more!

Click to visit website

Thank you Jordan Reyne! I met up with this amazing musician & lyricist at Wave Gotik Treffen 2015. It was great to chat with such an inspiring person.
She interviewed me backstage for her podcast Tour Tales...
You can listen here.

Click link to go to Jordan Reyne's Soundcloud page & listen to the podcast

Check out her fantastic work too...

Click to visit Jordan Reyne's website

Polari

The Southbank Centre,
Belvedere Road,
London SE1 8XX

Time: 7.30 start
Level 5, Function Room

Tickets: £5 (concessions £2.50)

Rosie Garland heads the bill.
Plus Helen Humphries, SJ Naude, Carl Stanley and Talim Arab

Rosie Garland reads from her second novel, Vixen.
Described as poetic, sexy and deeply moving, Vixen finds a natural home with Polari audiences. It's a tale of superstition and devotion in the time of the Black Death.
Garland is joined by Helen Humphries, Talim Arab, Carl Stanley and SJ Naudé.

Polari is London's celebrated literary den showcasing new and established queer talent across literature and spoken word. Resident at Southbank Centre, the award-winning LGBT salon was described by the Huffington Post in 2014 as 'The most exciting literary movement in London... crackling with energy, ideas and excitement'.
Polari is curated and hosted by author and journalist Paul Burston and won 'LGBT Cultural Event of the Year' in the Co-op Respect 'Loved By You' Awards 2013.
Level 5 Function Room at Royal Festival Hall
Please note that Polari contains adult themes. For ages 18+
Book Tickets Now
http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/polari-230615-89943?dt=2015-06-23

Click to go to Polari website

PRAISE FOR POLARI

"The most exciting literary movement in London... crackling with energy, ideas, excitement" – Huffington Post

Winner 'LGBT Cultural Event of the Year' in the Co-operative Respect 'Loved by You' Awards 2013

Winner 'Golden Kitty Award' for 'Best UK Event (Local)' 2013

"Always fun, always thought-provoking – a guaranteed good night out" – Sarah Waters

Really delighted to be interviewed in Issue 3 of Network Buzz!
Here's the link:
Click to read Network Buzz online

or you can read the full interview here...

Thomas Anderson Inclusive Networks interview

2015 has got off to a great start thank you. I'm now working for myself which is wonderful. Hope you're well and excited about the paperback release of Vixen.

1 - Your second novel Vixen is about to be released on paperback. What's the book about?

The year is 1349. In an isolated village deep in a forest in the south west of England, the arrival of a mysterious young woman – the Vixen - turns the lives of the villagers upside down.
I am fascinated by times when the world was on the cusp of massive change. 1349 was the year the Black Death struck England. Its shadow could be seen advancing across Europe. I wanted to capture that sense of a deadly, inescapable force heading your way.

2 - Are isolation and loneliness things that you personally fear?

Not any more.
But I've had my share. I spent my teenage years in Devon, which was not a good place to be in any way 'different'. It wasn't just about sexuality – anything that wasn't marriage and 2.4 children (preferably with one on its way by the age of 16) was regarded as deeply suspect. I yearned for escape and counted the days till I was 18 and could escape.

3 - Your debut novel 'The Palace of Curiosities' was very well received and is adored by many people. What were you feeling ahead of the release of Vixen last year?

Fear!
As my follow-up novel, it felt like the 'difficult second album' on occasion. Vixen is a different book to 'The Palace of Curiosities' and not just in the 500-year time shift.
I have a nasty inner critic – Mavis - who never ever says anything nice. She kept whispering that the reaction would be a sneering 'Ok, so people liked 'The Palace of Curiosities'. They aren't going to like Vixen.'
Luckily, that hasn't been the case.
I've blogged about Mavis here: http://www.rosiegarland.com/news-and-events/item/177-being-a-writer-dealing-with-the-internal-censor.html

4 - How did you feel when the book began receiving lots of great feedback and was dubbed 'Best for Historical Fiction fans' in Grazia's Summer reading list?

I've been astounded by the great response! Here's a snippet from the amazing review in Diva: 'Poetic, surprising and ultimately deeply moving, Vixen will have you hooked faster than it takes to drink a jug of ale and – unlike ale – it will stay with you long after you've reached the final page.'

5 - How important are magazine and online reviews to you?

Very and not at all, if that makes any sense.
Positive reviews are wonderful; I'd be lying if I said they weren't. I'm extremely lucky to have had nothing but - so far. I won't let them go to my head. I'd hate to become one of those people who are so puffed up about themselves they believe their own publicity and are a complete nightmare to be around. After all, a review is a personal opinion and nothing more.

6 - Do you think your books would adapt well to the small, or big, screen and how would you react if this idea was brought to you?

I would be delighted! Seriously, I'd do my massively uncool happy dance.

7 - You're a big advocate of local book stores. Why do you think it's so important to shop local and support the independent book stores?

I don't know about anyone else, but I think it matters when yet another indie or queer-friendly café / club / shop closes down and is replaced with a faceless retail chain. Who wants to live in a neighbourhood where the only option is Starbucks?
Oh yes - and indie stores pay their taxes and treat their staff like human beings. Next!

8 - We're seeing many local libraries close due to cuts. How important do you think public libraries are and did they play a part in your own dreams to be a writer?
It frightens me when folk say we don't need libraries 'because everything's online and free'. Er – no it isn't. Libraries are far more than a repository of books. A positive childhood memory is the Saturday trip to the local library. I explored new worlds, learned new things, thought new thoughts. It was the beginning of a love affair that's still going strong. It was National Libraries Day recently. Here's my love letter:
http://www.rosiegarland.com/news-and-events/item/649-20112014-a-passion-for-libraries.html

9 - You take part in lots of literary events and book tours. Are these something you enjoy (and why) and are these important to authors?
I love doing readings. Maybe it's connected to happy memories of being read to as a kid. Before I could read, I was hooked by the magic of words.
Sure, I understand not every writer enjoys live readings, but I get a buzz when I can communicate and share my stories. If that encourages and enables others to tell theirs – that's even better. We need to get our work out there, even when the mainstream world tells us it is uninteresting, weird, or just plain wrong. Especially when the mainstream world tells us that.

10 - Did you have any literary role models growing up? Were you encouraged to follow your dreams at school and at home?

I had great teachers who encouraged me to write. I produced my first novel aged nine: a science fiction extravaganza featuring rockets and sharks. With pictures. All of that was fine till I started exploring the more macabre / queerer side of life in my teens. The encouragement evaporated and was replaced by disapproval.
Luckily, I was a stubborn brat and kept going.

11 - It's International Womens Day on 8th March. Is there a female in your life who has inspired you the most in your career and/or personal life?

That is such a difficult question. Impossible to answer!
I guess the first of many inspirational women was my grandmother. She always had time to read stories and listen to mine. We shared a love of splashing in puddles and climbing trees. She accepted who I was and didn't force me into being something I wasn't.

12 - You're also the lead vocalist of The March Violets. We'd love to know more about the group and what you have planned music wise for 2015?

Singing is one of life's particular pleasures. The March Violets is unusual in having a male / female duo fronting the band – Si Denbigh and myself. We reformed in 2007, thinking we'd do a one-off reunion gig. But hundreds of fans turned up and made it very clear they weren't going to let us go away again.
This year we're playing Europe and the USA. In 2014 we toured the West Coast from Seattle to LA. It was incredible - we had such a wonderful welcome. The plan is to head to the East Coast in 2015 with the new album, 'Made Glorious'. Keep an eye on the website!
http://www.marchviolets.com/

13 - Novel number 3. When can we expect this? Will you be exploring any new genres or themes?

I'm working on it – slowly! I'm at that early stage where it's a tangled heap of words. I go through phases of thinking it's complete rubbish. Luckily I have an encouraging editor at HarperCollins.
It's set just before WW1 and revolves around family secrets. Once again, I've been drawn to a period of upheaval; specifically that moment shortly before enormous changes take place. I view those times rather like an indrawn breath, held and not released.

14 - What's next for you?

I'm busy on a number of projects, which suits me fine. I'd get bored if I was only doing one thing. The trick is to get that number right...
The book tour for the paperback release of 'Vixen' is ongoing through March and April. There's the new novel to get on with, plus The March Violets tour mentioned above. If that wasn't enough, I'm treading the boards as Rosie Lugosi the Vampire Queen. Plus I'm writing new poetry, in particular, a sequence of narrative poems inspired by the 2 years I worked as a teacher in Darfur, Sudan. Truly a stranger in a strange land.
So - 2015 is already busy. I love the fascinating projects that come into my life! One that's very exciting is being invited to co-curate the John Rylands Library Literary Gothic exhibition in summer 2015. And I am headlining Polari Literary Salon in June – wow!

Bar Wotever
Royal Queer Variety Show
Tuesdays at RVT
Royal Vauxhall Tavern
372 Kennington Lane,
London, SE11 5HY

Doors: from 7pm, Stage program from 8.30pm – 10.30ish. Then DJs play until we close at Midnight
Entry: £5 / £3

Writer, performer and Wotever favourite Rosie Garland joins us to celebrate the paperback release of her stunning second novel 'Vixen' – two days before it hits the bookshops! She'll be discussing the writing process and answering any questions you may have. We loved her debut 'The Palace of Curiosities', which was nominated for the Polari Prize and was voted Cooperative Respect LGBT Book Of The Year 2013. Rosie has managed to follow it up with a novel that's equally strange and compelling.

+ a Timely Wotever Talk - Bisexuality Isn't Magic
For LGBT History Month, something a little different. Marcus Morgan is cross about the way people talk and think about bisexuals as if they're ninja unicorns – mythical and invisible.

Plus we have two Open Mic slots up for grabs this exciting evening!

This is a night for friendly and open minded people who know how to pay attention.

Click to go to Bar Wotever event page

Vixen is longlisted for The Green Carnation prize 2014!

The thirteen strong longlist of titles celebrating LGBT writing have been announced after several days of debates between the judges over an exceptional list of submissions, the most the prize has seen in its history to date. This list takes us from fairytale lands to the call centres of Scotland, from Calcutta to Russia and includes fiction, memoir, essays, short stories, non-fiction and the graphic novel.

Chair of the judges for 2014, journalist Kaite Welsh said of the longlist "The judging panel for this year's prize were in luck – some of the most dynamic and exciting books from the past twelve months have been from LGBT authors. Out of those, we've compiled an amazing longlist that should be on everyone's to-read list. The 2014 Green Carnation Prize has coincided with a bumper year for LGBT writing from established authors to new voices. Whittling the list down to 13 was difficult and enjoyable, and we're confident that picking the shortlist from such a great collection will be just as challenging."

Click to go to Green Carnation Prize site

Liberté! Egalité! Cabaret! Part Deux

The Lexington
96-98 Pentonville Rd,
London N1 9JB
7pm-12midnight adv £10

The Queer Alternative is back with our second cabaret event to raise funds for Pride in London and beyond.

Acts include:

Plus special guest ROSIE LUGOSI - The March Violets / Poet, performer, author, Lesbian Vampire Queen!
*PROFESSOR ELEMENTAL -- Steampunk icon, Gentleman Rhymer and Chap-Hop artist extraordinaire
*LAURENCE OWEN -- Musical comic with a dry and perverse wit
*ANGEL LaVEY -- Comedic chanteuse and compere
*MYNXIE MONROE -- Reigning queen of darkness, expert mischief instigator and professional goth
*JACQUES BRUXELLES -- Stand-up comic and boylesque performer
*WHISKEY ROXX -- Gorelesque with a shot of the macabre
+ More acts to be announced!

DJs Frankie D (Slimelight, Flag Promotions), Andy RavenSable (Monster Truck) and Scott (Alternative Bring and Buy) Advance tickets £10 from http://www.wegottickets.com/thequeeralternative
REVELATOR SOUND SYSTEM SUNDAY LOSERS LOUNGE playing rock steady, ska, pop corn and funk @ 45 rpm from 7".
A damn fine reason to stay out drinking until 2 am Monday morning.

Click to buy tickets
Click to go to Facebook event page

http://www.thelexington.co.uk/

Polari Literary Salon

Book on:
0161 274 0600

London's award-winning LGBT literary salon began life in November 2007 in the upstairs room of a bar in Soho. Events are now held monthly at the Southbank Centre and feature the best in established and emerging, queer literary talent. Championed by Sarah Waters as "always fun, always thought-provoking", Polari won 'LGBT Cultural Event of the Year' in the Co-op Respect Awards.

Hosted by author Paul Burston, this special salon for Manchester Literature Festival features performances from author & playwright Neil Bartlett (The Disappearance Boy), scriptwriter & novelist Jonathan Harvey (The Girl Who Just Appeared, Beautiful Thing, Coronation Street), comedian & writer VG Lee (Always You, Edina) and Rosie Garland (Vixen, The Palace of Curiosities).

Click to go to Polari website
NOTES
· Suitable for over 16s.
Click to go to Manchester Literature website