Things are always a bit quiet in Poetry on Loan over the summer months - library staff are kept busy by the Summer Reading Challenge, as a rule.
But when autumn comes, and with it National Poetry Day and Black History Month, it's all go. I'm afraid you've missed the stunning open-air performance of The Book of Job: the Musical, at Bridgnorth festival, but there are a lot of other events to look forward to.
Around National Poetry Day, we have:
25-Sep - Jean Atkin with a workshop and reading in the Bookshrop in Whitchurch
2-Oct - Fergus McGonigal in Shrewsbury library, writing poems on demand, 2-4 pm
2-Oct - Jonny Fluffypunk and Brenda Read-Brown, writing poems on demand in the Core library, Solihull, 10am - 1pm
4-Oct - Fergus again, this time in Stourbridge library, writing poems on demand, 10 -1
4-oct - Fergus again, in Coundon Library, 4-6, more poems on demand
13-Oct - a performance in City Central Library, Hanley, with local poets including Bert Flitcroft, Nick Degg, Gabriella Gay, and the current Stoke Poet Laureate, Stephen Seabridge. Well wroth a visit to the library!
25-Oct - 5:45 - 7:45, the first of a series of open mic events in Balsall library, each hosted by excellent local poets. This time it's Spoz, one of Poetry on Loan's favourites.
It's Poet Laureate time, too. The Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate has been chosen, and this week it's Birmingham's turn - a new Poet Laureate and Young Poet Laureate will soon be announced. The hunt has started for Warwickshire's new Young Poet Laureate.
Roy McFarlane, a former Birmingham Poet Laureate, has a new book out, and he will be giving readings at:
- Wolverhampton Central Library, 11th October, 6-7
- Coventry Central Library, 20th October, 12-1
- Bleakhouse library, Sandwell, 23rd October, in the evening.
And finally - the Poetry on Loan 2018 Poetry Competition is in the final stages of judging; the winners will be announced on National Poetry Day.
And even more finally - look out in your local libraries for the new Poetry on Loan recommended poetry books leaflets and posters. Our designer, Greg, has done his usual terrific job - they look lovely, as well as having some terrific recommendations.
Phew! I'd better have a rest now.