BOOK TO THE FUTURE - University of Birmingham · Book to the Future, ... Dr Ewan Fernie and Dr Abigail Rokison present Shakespeare Unbard. ... Professor Michael Dobson, Director of

BOOK TO THE FUTURE

Tuesday 14 October – Saturday 18 October 2014

www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf@CALeidoscopeUoB#BTTF

Join us on campus in celebrating the written and spoken word

Festival Programme

WELCOME TO BOOK TO THE FUTURE!Book to the Future, our festival celebrating the written and spoken word, is back! We’re delighted to be bringing you a packed programme featuring our our academic, student and alumni talent along with well-known authors, poets and journalists.

We are looking forward to welcoming the whole community to Book to the Future, on our beautiful campus in the heart of Edgbaston. Exploring the theme of time in the shadow of our Old Joe clock tower, we’ve got free panel events, lectures and readings as well as workshops and performances.

Why not discover how to write a novel in a month or how to perform poetry in one of our workshops? Or uncover history in just one hour and find out how Britain sleep walked to two World Wars?

Procrastinators – learn how to maximise your time with Jo Usmar (University of Birmingham alumna, Journalist, and co-author of the This Book Will series).

ON CAMPUS….You may have heard we are building a state-of-the-art new library, due to be opened to students, staff, alumni and members of the local community from Autumn 2016. Overlooking the centre of our beautiful campus, the new library will be an inspirational place to work, with study and research desks near to the windows, allowing all users of the building to benefit from natural light and stunning views. Inside, careful attention has been paid to the efficient use of space, accessibility for all, and the 12km of open

Working 9-5? You could still see your writing in print - Dannon Swanton (University of Birmingham alumna and current member of staff) tells you how she became part time and published.

From poetry and publishing to postcards from the trenches and Tasmina Perry, there’s something for everyone.

We do hope you will join us in celebrating the creativity that exists on campus and within our community...

Michael Whitby Head of CollegeArts and Law

2 BOOK TO THE FUTURE

BOOKINGAll events are free, open to all, and can be booked by visiting www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf unless otherwise stated. Please reserve your place to avoid disappointment.

access shelving will be arranged in such a way as to be far more intuitive to navigate. If you are interested in finding out more about our plans alongside other plans for the University’s campus redevelopments, and for ways to make your mark on this outstanding facility please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/building

Black History Month Poetry Trail Embark on an inspirational trail of poetry around the beautiful University of Birmingham campus.

Following a poetry competition inviting reflections on the theme ‘inspirational change’, a selection of poems will be

displayed in creative and surprising ways for you to discover.

When? 9.00am–5.00pm, 14–18 OctoberWhere? Collect a map from Aston Webb receptionWho? Open to allHow? Free event – no booking required

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TRAILS

Uncovering Literature at the BarberUncover the many connections to the literary world that exist in the Barber Institute of Fine Art’s collection, from the expected to the unexpected!

This guided tour of the gallery will explore the Barber collection through a literary lens, discussing the different ways literature has inspired and influenced artists.

When? 2.30–3.30pm, Friday 17 October How? Booking is essential. Please contact 0121 414 2261 or email [email protected]


Shakespeare Unbard Explore how societies over time have celebrated Shakespeare and his relevance to individuals and communities today. Dr Ewan Fernie and Dr Abigail Rokison present Shakespeare Unbard. This 30 minute drama was written and performed by seven students studying the Shakespeare and Creativity MA in 2013/14.

When? 12.00–1.00pm, Tuesday 14 OctoberWhere? Law Lecture Theatre 1Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

PERFORMANCES

Phenomenal WomenThe Phenomenal Women poetry collective brings you an evening of performance poetry. Join the region’s top female poets, including University of Birmingham alumna Jan Watts (Birmingham Poet Laureate 2011/12) as they explore the theme of time in reading and sharing their work.

The Phenomenal Women invite female writers of any age, ethnicity and writing experience to join them on stage performing their works.

When? 7.30–9.00pm, Wednesday 15 OctoberWhere? Bramall Foyer (Free refreshments)Who? Open to all How? If you are interested in performing, contact Jan Watts at [email protected] or to book, please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

‘I’m a woman Phenomenally.Phenomenal woman, That’s me.’

Maya Angelou

5BOOK TO THE FUTURE

The Birmingham Revue of BooksPassion for literature? Our creative writing student society, Writers’ Bloc, brings you the Birmingham Revue of Books, celebrating and appreciating literature in a light hearted evening of comedy, poetry, theatre, and music.

When? 7.00–8.30pm, Saturday 18 October Where? Barber Concert HallWho? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

New Voices: New Creative Writing Supervised by acclaimed writers Richard House and Luke Kennard, our PhD students are developing new voices with their creative works. Join our current PhD Creative Writing students as they present their works-in-progress – with readings and discussion about process and inspiration.

When? 6.00–7.00pm, Thursday 16 October Where? Strathcona Lecture Theatre 1 (G18)Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Ben Norris, UK All-Stars Poetry Slam ChampionA poetry/spoken-word performance from alumnus Ben Norris, featuring poems read from his newly published pamphlet as well as Slam-style performance poetry.

When? 6.15–7.00pm, Saturday 18 OctoberWhere? Barber Concert Hall Who? Open to allHow? Free event – to book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf


Performance Poetry MasterclassAn accelerated tour through creating poetry for performance. Write, edit, rehearse, and perform a brand new poem, discovering more about the entire process on the way. Epiphanies are not guaranteed.

Bohdan Piasecki is a poet from Poland based in Birmingham, with a 14-year international performance career. He has taken his poems to venues ranging from the upstairs room in an Eastbourne pub to the main stage of the Birmingham Rep, from an underground Tokyo club to a tramway in Paris, from a bookshop in Beijing to an airfield in Germany. As a workshop leader, Bohdan has worked in schools, care homes, literary festivals, inner city libraries, and universities.

When? 4.00–6.00pm, Friday 17 October Where? Muirhead Tower 113Who? Open to all, places are limitedHow? Free event – to book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

WORKSHOPS

Timelines – Rewriting HistoryExplore ways of writing about history, as depicted and recorded in the Barber collections with Jacqui Rowe. The workshop will also offer participants the chance to write about their own personal histories. Suitable for writers of prose or poetry at all levels of experience.

When? 1.30–4.00pm, Tuesday 14 OctoberWhere? Barber Institute of Fine ArtsWho? Adults and students. Places are limited.How? Booking is essential. Please contact 0121 414 2261 or email [email protected]

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How to write a novel very quicklyMore than half a million people wrote a novel in November 2013 during National Novel Writing Month. University of Birmingham alumna Jan Watts (Birmingham Poet Laureate 2011/12) was one of them – she’s since published her first novel Benches. Join Jan and hear about her experiences writing during Na No Wri Mo, get some top tips on how to become a novelist yourself, and make a pledge to write a novel in a month! When? 6.00–7.00pm, Wednesday 15 OctoberWhere? Nuffield G13Who? Open to all How? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Let your writing flowHave you ever experienced the fear of a blank page or suffered from writer’s block? This workshop is for you! Gulara Vincent will teach you various techniques to let your creative writing flow. The workshop will be interactive and you will have a chance to do short writing exercises which you may choose to share with the group. When? 4.00–6.30pm, Wednesday 15 OctoberWhere? Arts LT2Who? Open to all – Places are limitedHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Crossing TimelinesExploring different concepts of time and how we convey them, Jacqui Rowe will set participants the challenge of writing under the pressure of time, in the shadow of Old Joe, the University clock tower.

When? 3.30–6.00pm, Saturday 18 October Where? G5 LawWho? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf


TALKS Shakespeare and the idea of national theatreProfessor Michael Dobson, Director of the Shakespeare Institute and Professor of Shakespeare Studies at the University will deliver an illustrated lecture exploring some of the ways in which Shakespeare has both defined and troubled the theatre’s sense of mission over the last two hundred years, whether regionally or nationally.

When? 5.30pm, Tuesday 14 OctoberWhere? Shakespeare Institute, Stratford Upon AvonWho? Open to all. Places are limited. How? Free event – To register RSVP to [email protected]

Tasmina PerryTasmina Perry is a Sunday Times Top Ten bestselling author of novels such as Daddy’s Girls, Kiss Heaven Goodbye and, most recently, The Proposal. After studying Law at the University of Birmingham, she qualified as a solicitor before switching to a career in journalism, after a fortuitous meeting with Take That. She went on to become an award-winning writer and contributor to titles such as Elle, Glamour and Marie Claire, helped launch Heat magazine and was editing InStyle magazine when she left the industry to write books full time. Her novels have been published in seventeen countries and have sold almost two million copies

worldwide.

Tasmina returns to campus to talk about studying Law, her adventures in magazine journalism and finding the right career to suit your skill set.

When? 6.00–7.00pm, Tuesday 14 OctoberWhere? Muirhead Tower G15Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

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A 21st Century OdysseyA 21st Century Odyssey will include a workshop session with writer, Elisabeth Charis, where you will create a ‘retelling’ based on an extract from The Odyssey. This will be followed by a group discussion led by PhD student, Polly Stoker. Work produced will be displayed online, as an offshoot of the upcoming publication by Nine Arches Press, A Midlands Odyssey.

When? 3.00–5.00pm, Wednesday 15 October Where? Arts Large Lecture TheatreWho? Open to all – places are limited How? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Shakespeare on the RoadBirmingham alumni, Dr Paul Prescott, Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, and Rev Dr Paul Edmondson, Head of Research and Knowledge at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, celebrate the homecoming of a two-month long, 10,000-mile journey through North America, sharing images, voices and stories of Shakespeare in contemporary American culture (and as captured on the project website, www.shakespeareontheroad.com).

When? 6.00–7.00pm, Wednesday 15 OctoberWhere? Arts Large Lecture TheatreWho? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

The Timeline of Novel WritingNovelist and creative writing tutor Andrew Killeen takes you through the process of writing a novel, from idea to publication, in a talk that offers practical, realistic and humorous advice and insight to aspiring writers.

When? 1.00–3.00pm, Wednesday 15 OctoberWhere? Arts Lecture Theatre 7Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Part Time and PublishedFind out how to write a book and get published whilst juggling a full time job! There will also be a short reading from Danann Swantan’s newly published first book, ‘Out on the Piste’, followed by questions and answers.

When? 5.00–6.00pm, Thursday 16 October Where? Arts Lecture Theatre 6Who? Open to all How? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf


How comics can help your studies and careerCome and listen to UK comic book publisher and University of Birmingham alumnus! Neil Gibson talk about how comics give you fantastic tools to improve memory retention and better communicate with others.

When? 1.00–2.00pm, Thursday 16 October Where? Nuffield G17 Who? Open to allHow? Free Event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Upon a time: Adventures with time in fantasy, folktales, and fairytalesDr Philipa Semper, Lecturer in Medieval English at the University, gives an introduction to adventures with time through readings from fantasy stories, folktales and fairytales.

When? 7.00pm, Wednesday 15 OctoberWhere? Arts Large Lecture Theatre Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

History in an hourExplore History in an Hour, with University of Birmingham alumna and author Jemma Saunders, as she discusses the eBook series, in particular ‘The Holocaust’, which is her own contribution to the series.

When? 5.45–6.30pm, Thursday 16 October Where? Arts LT2Who? Anyone with an interest in History, in particular the Holocaust and World War Two. Places are limitedHow? Free event – to book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf or contact Jemma Saunders on [email protected]

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Local author/ local stories with Katharine D’SouzaIn this session, local author, alumna and University staff member Katharine D’Souza (BA Geography, 1993) will read from and talk about her novels Deeds Not Words and Park Life, both set in Birmigham. Katharine will also talk about her writing process and why she finds Birmingham such great inspiration for stories. When? 5.00–6.00pm, Friday 17 OctoberWhere? Nuffield G17Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Spoken for the first time: Postcard Messages from the TrenchesJoin us in commemorating WW1, as we read messages from a large collection of real photographic postcards sent home from the trenches in WW1 by German soldiers, written to family and loved ones. The act of reading will give voice to the dead, the former enemy and the largely forgotten.

The event will be performed by Prof. Mike Robinson and Dr Josef Ploner and will feature an exhibition of postcards. When? 7.00–8.00pm, Friday 17 October Where? Muirhead G15 (Free refreshments)Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

The SheriffSimon Fairbanks, local author and alumnus, discusses the inspiration and experience of producing his first fantasy novel, The Sheriff.

When? 7.00–8.00pm, Friday 17 October Where? Nuffield G17Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf


Make the most of your time and stop procrastinating NOWBased on the strategies and techniques detailed in her self-help series, Jo Usmar, alumna, journalist and co-author of the This Book Will series will give you tips on making the most of your time and staying focused, with exercises around how to stop procrastinating (Using her books ‘This Book Will Make You Calm/Confident/Happy’ and the forthcoming This Book Will Make You Mindful).

When? 4.00–5.00pm, Saturday 18 OctoberWhere? Arts 201Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Sleepwalking to War? Britain in 1914 and 1939Did Great Britain stumble blindly into two world wars? Marking the WW1 Centenary Dr Jonathan Boff, Centre for War Studies, will compare preparations for both conflicts and argue that the lessons learned from the First were crucial to survival in the Second. When? 5.00–6.00pm, Saturday 18 OctoberWhere? Arts Lecture Theatre 1Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Self-Publishing/Marketing your bookWant to self-publish but don’t know how? Find out how to market your book with local authors and alumni Katharine D’Souza and Simon Fairbanks. They will share the reasons they decided to self-publish, discuss the pros and cons of self-publishing, and provide tips to others considering the route. This session will also look at how book marketing has changed in recent years, due to the rise of self-publishing and social networking.

When? 6.00–7.00pm, Friday 17 OctoberWhere? Nuffield G17Who? Open to all How? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf


PANEL EVENTS

Timeless fast foreign fictionJoining the Birmingham Centre for Translation’s Gabriela Saldanha to discuss the appeal of contemporary European novellas published in English translation will be Peirene Press’s founder Meike Ziervogel and Adriana Hunter, a British translator of French literature and winner of 2011 Scott Moncrieff Prize.

When? 4.00–5.30pm, Thursday 16 OctoberWhere? Aston Webb WG5Who? Open to all – Places are limitedHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Best European Fiction 2015/ How far can we read? Best European Fiction, an annual anthology published by Dalkey Archive Press for the last five years, has stirred reactions around the globe, exciting readers, critics, and publishers alike. This forum will bring together the editor of Best European Fiction 2015, West Camel, the journalist Rosie Goldberg, and writer and translator Donal McLaughlin.

When? 4.00-5.30pm, Friday 17 October Where? Nettlefold Room, Nicholson Building (Winterbourne)Who? Open to allHow? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf

Anthologies to Apps: Changing Modes of StudyFrom manuscripts to microfiche, anthologies to apps and encyclopedias to e-journals, hear from panellists from the University of Birmingham including Susan Worrall, Head of Special Collections and Matt Sherlock, Assistant Director (Learning Spaces) about the way that study methods have changed over the years. Hear too about how new developments at the University, including online courses, are continuing to advance the way that people access education both at the University and across the world.

When? 7.00–8.00pm Tuesday 14 OctoberWhere? Muirhead Tower G15 Who? Open to all How? Free event – To book please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/bttf


Tuesday 14 October

9.00am–5.00pm Black History Month Poetry Trail Collect map from Aston Webb reception

12.00–1.00pm Shakespeare Unbard Lecture Theatre 1, Law Building

1.30–4.00pm Timelines – Rewriting History Barber Institute of Fine Arts

5.30–6.30pm Shakespeare and the idea of national theatre Shakespeare Institute, Stratford Upon Avon

6.00–7.00pm Tasmina Perry Muirhead Tower G15

7.00–8.00pm Anthologies to Apps Muirhead Tower G15

Wednesday 15 October


1.00–3.00pm The Timeline of Novel Writing Arts Lecture Theatre 7

3.00–5.00pm A 21st Century Odyssey Arts Large Lecture Theatre

6.00–7.00pm Shakespeare on the Road Arts Large Lecture Theatre

7.00–8.00pm Upon a time: adventures with time in fantasy, folktales and fairytales Arts Large Lecture Theatre

4.00–6.30pm Let your writing flow Arts Lecture Theatre 2

6.00–7.00pm How to write a novel very quickly Nuffield G13

7.30–9.00pm Phenomenal Women Bramall Foyer

Thursday 16 October


1.00–2.00pm How comics can help your studies and career Nuffield G17

5.45–6.30pm History in an hour Arts Lecture Theatre 2

5.00–6.00pm Part Time and Published Arts Lecture Theatre 6

6.00–7.00pm New Voices: New Creative Writing Strathcona Lecture Theatre 1 (G18)

4.00–5.30pm Timeless fast foreign fiction Aston Webb WG5

Campus maps can be found at www.birmingham.ac.uk/contact/directions/index.aspx

TIMETABLE TRAILS

PERFORMANCES

WORKSHOPS

TALKS

PANEL EVENTS


Friday 17 October


2.30–3.30pm Uncovering Literature at the Barber The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

5.00–6.00pm Local author/local stories with Katharine D’Souza Nuffield G17

6.00–7.00pm Self-Publishing/Marketing your Book Nuffield G17

7.00–8.00pm Spoken for the first time: Postcard Messages from the Trenches Muirhead G15

7.00–8.00pm The Sheriff Nuffield G17

4.00–6.00pm Performance Poetry workshop Muirhead Tower 113

4.00–5.30pm Best European Fiction 2015/How far can we read? Nicholson building, Nettleford Room

Saturday 18 October


3.30–6.00pm Crossing Timelines G5 Law

4.00–5.00pm Make the most of your time and stop procrastinating NOW Arts 201

5.00–6.00pm Sleepwalking to War? Britain in 1914 and 1939 Arts Lecture Theatre 1

6.15–7.00pm Ben Norris, UK All-Stars poetry Slam Champion Barber Concert Hall

7.00–8.30pm The Birmingham Revue of Books Barber Concert Hall

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Documents

BOOK TO THE FUTURE - University of Birmingham · Book to the Future, ... Dr Ewan Fernie and Dr Abigail Rokison present Shakespeare Unbard. ... Professor Michael Dobson, Director of