Update on the recent fate of In Person 30 Poets the DVD-book filmed by myself and edited by Neil Astley of Bloodaxe Books.
We had a successful presentation at the Ledbury Poetry Festival, Shropshire in July.
This is an annual festival and very much integrated into Ledbury life. Many local sponsors and volunteers and a great sense of attendance not only from poetry buffs and far-travelled folk but also a great many locals. That is always a good sign. There is an eagerly anticipated interest in the program put together by Chloe Garner.
We were fortunate enough to spend the whole week there enjoying events immensely and filming poets and having rewarding meetings. Our hosts, the Beers, were fascinating and extraordinary people dedicated to education and their community. It was stimulating meeting them and talking to them over two suppers.
The Carters who are very engaged in the Festival in different important capacities are the loveliest people I have met in a long long time. We had a memorable lunch in their garden in the sun and warmth, the one rare day this summer of eating al fresco!
We met Samuel Menashe a poet living in NYC whom we shall meet again in September. He is a wonderful man.
Since that festival we have also done a presentation in Dumfries in Scotland and were on a double bill with Moniza Alvi. She has two books out, one selected poems and a new collection called Europa. Her reading was so good. We later filmed her in Grasmere at Dove Cottage.
If In Person 30 Poets is successful as a new kind of poetry experience we shall definitely follow it up with more.
If you are curious you can go on the Bloodaxe Books website and see taster videos of the poets included. www.bloodaxebooks.com
Other events in the future can also be seen on the website but I can tell you already there will be one in Sheffield during Off the Shelf in October and another presentation at Dove Cottage in Grasmere,Cumbria also in October. I cannot remember any other events at this moment.
