York Literature Festival HUB 2018 event, Tuesday, 20th March

I'm looking forward to my first event for absolutely ages - at the York Literature Festival HUB. Many thanks to YLF and Valley Press for supporting the event, which will take place at the Theatre Royal. Free refreshments will be available at the event itself.

Of course I'm delighted that the popular Little Apple Bookshop in York will also be stocking 'Homecoming' at the theatre and in the shop.

Booking information is on the York Theatre Royal website.
All the festival events are here and are booking fast!

Summer and autumn round-up

This should really be a spring round-up as well: I've been out of action for much of the year with an injury, and had to cancel guest reader slots at several events, which was a shame. A post about Helen Cadbury is coming soon.

I did manage to get to The Speakers' Corner to take up a guest reader slot that supported David Costello. A very enjoyable night with great hosting by Andy Humphrey.

In October I will be guest reader at More Poetry in London. I haven't read in London for ages and am very much looking forward to this.

Ken Champion is one of the hosts of More Poetry. I've written a review on the back of his latest novel, Thrust, which is very perceptive about the architectural changes taking place in London. The three main characters are well-drawn and Ken's observations of city life are authentic and original as usual.

I was delighted to see that Homecoming was given a lovely review by Tanya Parker Nightingale in Dream Catcher Magazine. Many thanks. If you are one of my past or present creative writing students reading this post do check out Dream Catcher, which welcomes submissions of poetry and short stories, as well as artwork, interviews, and reviews.

The Inside-Out House is still receiving good reviews, which is exciting. I am currently completing my new Young Adult novel, Project Miriam.

My books are available in a few public and university libraries around the world. I was especially pleased to see a summary of my 2007 pamphlet 'Safe Passage' in a university library in Baylor, Texas.  Always expect the unexpected!

book launch of joanna ezekiel's homecoming

Perhaps spring - whatever the weather - is the best time of year in which to publish a book. Both of my poetry collections came out in spring. My new poetry collection, Homecoming, was launched at the Oxfam Bookshop in Micklegate, York, last night. This morning, I saw a rare sight in the back yard - a bumblebee.

I'd like to thank everybody who attended on a cold night: fellow poets, poetry lovers, family, friends, neighbours (especially Pip).

Special thanks go to:

Jamie and Rosa from Valley Press, who are producing five books in five weeks! I was so delighted with Rosa's introduction that I will be including it in my blog profile. The Valley Press book table was very seductive - with a lovely new Valley Press banner behind it -, and I now have books by Di Slaney, Patrick Lodge, Malene Engelund and Kelley Swain to add to my summer reading list.

Rosa from Valley Press

Hamish at the Oxfam Bookshop, who was enthusiastic about the launch from the start, and his wife Sheila, whose room setting advice was invaluable. The bookshop has, among other sections, a large range of poetry books, a children's section, and some great postcards and greetings cards. Also lots of 'Divine' chocolate that I can never resist.

Amina Alyal

Oz Hardwick

Guest readers Amina Alyal and Oz Hardwick. Both Amina and Oz write poems that you can't sum up in terms of saying easily what they are 'about'. There are usually several surprising and creative connections involved. I am proud to have their endorsements on the back of my book, along with three other excellent poets: David Cooke, Fiona Sinclair, and:

Andy Humphrey, who also attended. Even though Andy is very busy he took the time to send out an extra email to remind people to attend.

Terry and Yafa, for the matzos, a kind thought.
And extra special thanks to Chris, Mum and Jon for all their support.

Chris has taken some great photos, which I think show that the Oxfam Bookshop in Micklegate is a nicely-lit venue.

If you have a copy of 'Homecoming'... I hope you enjoy it.

'homecoming' new poetry collection by joanna ezekiel

Homecoming is available on the Valley Press website, and from most online bookshops, including Amazon, W. H. Smith,
The Book Depository, Waterstones, Blackwell's, Wordery, Foyles, and Amazon.com in the USA.

There's a lot of excitement at mydelayedreactions at the moment, as my second poetry collection, 'Homecoming', will be published next month by Valley Press. It's dedicated to my Dad, who sadly died in 2013, and will contain poems written over a period of about ten years, including a Bridport Prize longlisted poem, and the title poem which was the Ryedale Poetry Competition winner in 2012.

I'll be launching 'Homecoming' at:
The Oxfam Bookshop, Micklegate, York, on Tuesday, 26th April at 7pm. I'm delighted to have poetic support from Oz Hardwick and Amina Alyal. The event is free, no need to book, and there will be refreshments available. 'Homecoming' is priced at £7.99.

I cross-stitched this design of 'Polperro' by Sybilla Davis Designs: the team at Valley Press did the rest. I can't wait to see this cover on the book itself!

book launch of the inside-out house

'The Inside-Out House' book launch took place in the lovely café of Waterstones, York. Many thanks to Benjamin Whitelaw and John Schofield who took photos throughout the evening. Dave at Waterstones introduced the evening:

Here's me reading from, and talking about, 'The Inside-Out House' at the start of the event:

Six local writers supported the event by reading or performing their own fiction. I really enjoyed all of the readings, and so did the rest of the audience!

Steve Toase...

Laura Munteanu...

Andy Humphrey...

Dai Parsons...

John Walford...

Helen Sant...

Also present was Helen Cadbury, who wrote one of the back cover testimonials

'The Inside-Out House' was the top-selling novel at Waterstones that day, even outselling 'Gone Girl'! Thanks again to everyone who attended, read, bought copies, and made the evening one to remember.

official online launch of my novel 'the inside-out house'

Today's the day!

We've got some champagne...

It's been lovely to see so many congratulatory comments on Facebook, and I have received more lovely comments on Twitter, by email and text, over the phone, and in person about my novel coming out. There's already been a review; thank you, Nina!

Many thanks go to Ronnie and Dawn at Indigo Dreams, who believed in my novel, to my mum (and dear dad), brothers Marc and Jon, and to Lea, to Joanna Pearl, who took time to read an early version, Pat Livingstone for being constantly encouraging, Liz Newman for her very insightful feedback, and special thanks go to Chris, who has been encouraging me to keep writing for very many years.

A thank you goes to Ian Hargreaves, who is a prize-winning photographer, for taking my author photo. More of Ian's work can be found here.

Thanks also to Anne Krisman, Helen Cadbury, Shanta Everington, and Steve Toase - all writers, reviewers, and educators - for their testimonials. Steve's testimonial is at the top of this webpage, and I'm delighted to post the whole of Anne's testimonial here:

       'A house like no other, with a mystery to tell. A teenager searching for her identity and looking for answers in her life. Both are drawn together in Joanna Ezekiel’s engrossing story set in the 1990s and inspired by the sculptor Rachel Whiteread’s intriguing concrete cast of a Victorian house.

The book explores many difficult life issues with a deft touch; growing up, moving on, teenage relationships, adults’ rules and racism. The key character Sam is a feisty but sensitive teenage girl, with the guts to stand up against bullies but unsure of her growing relationship with Jimi, who shares her fascination with the House. There are some colourful yet believable female characters, for example, Wendy the librarian, with her violet Mini car with its ‘Prince and the Purple Revolution’ banner and the deeply political Aunty Roo.

The novel moves towards a powerful conclusion, in a finely written dramatic scene that reflects the writer’s poetic ability to depict the layers behind the event.

This is a teenage novel that is something different, beginning with two young people’s shared fascination with an ‘inside-out house’ art work. This read will appeal to deep-thinking teenagers who don’t want to be stereotyped and put into boxes.' (Anne Krisman)

Now to the Prize Draw entries! Many thanks to those of you who took time to share photos of your favourite buildings.

Anne visited the Treaty of Versailles on her honeymoon. I can't think of a more romantic place to be!

Gill Learner's favourite building is Notre Dame la Grande, Poitiers, which is a rarity, as it is painted and patterned inside just as it would have been originally.

Now to Kath McCarron Humphrey. While it was raining and gloomy over here, Kath was on holiday, and she sent me a photo of the Hallgrímskirkja in Iceland! Imagine it with the Northern Lights behind it.

I went all old-fashioned for the Prize Draw, and pulled names out of a hat. The winner is...

Raychel, with a photo of the Acropolis in Greece!

Congratulations, Raychel, I'll be sending 'The Inside-Out House' to you very soon!

anthology launch: how am i doing for time?

The monthly 'Poems, Prose, and Pints' event has been running in Harrogate for five years, which is no mean feat. I had a lovely evening as guest reader there a few years ago, and am now looking forward to reading their anthology, 'How am I doing for time?'

It is available from Amazon, and the launch of the anthology is this Wednesday, September 17 at the Tap and Spile, Harrogate. It's also been publicised in the local newspaper:

I wish Tim Ellis, Nicola Everill (who wrote the foreword) Robbie Burns (the amazing cover artist)and all the contributors the very best with the anthology.

book promotion: ken champion's novella

I reviewed Ken Champion's short story collection and selected poems last month, and am pleased to announce that his new novella, 'The Dramaturgical Metaphor' is published by The Penniless Press, priced at 7.99. I'm looking forward to reading it! For more of Ken's work, have a look at his author site. Penniless Press are good at choosing covers that suit their authors' themes and images, and this book is no exception.

publication of the inside-out house

'With 'The Inside-Out House' Joanna has elegantly written a humane story that fuses together poetry, family secrets, and magic in the urban landscape.' Steve Toase

To celebrate my novel, 'The Inside-Out House', being published next month, I'm offering one FREE copy in a prize draw.

The 'House' of the title is pretty much a main 'character' in the novel, so if you'd like a chance to enter the prize draw, and are 12 years old or over, send me your photo, (or a photo of your drawing or painting) of your own favourite building. You will then be automatically entered into the prize draw.

All photos will appear on my blog as a 'blog post special' on the publication date of 22nd September, so you'll be published, too!

My email is delayed_reactions@yahoo.co.uk, or if you are already my friend on Facebook, you can contact me there. As I get a lot of spam emails, please send your work in the body of the email itself, rather than in an attachment, if you can, between now and the 20th September. Good luck!

book launch: don walls

If you're in York on Tuesday, July 8th, come along to the launch of the new book by York's Poet Laureate, Don Walls, published by the tireless Stairwell Books... I would book early, as Don is a very popular poet! I'm delighted to be among the cast of supporting writers and musicians.

Stairwell Books present:

A BOOK LAUNCH

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Don Walls

Somewhere Else

The Basement

City Screen, York

7.30 for 8 pm

£3 entry, book available at discount

Supported by Oz Hardwick, John Gilham, Philippa Blakey,

Dave Gough, Helen Sant and Joanna Ezekiel

Musical guests Toni Bunnell and Sarah Dean

Don Walls is York’s Poet Laureate. Please celebrate his latest collection.

Come early to grab a signed copy!

www.stairwellbooks.co.uk

 

book launch: andrew brown's skydive: leaping from the ledge

I always enjoy hearing Andrew Brown's stories, and as he is also from Essex, some of the locations he uses are familiar to me. I'm delighted to be supporting him at his York book launch next week: he has already had successful launches and readings in Harrogate. Here are more details:

Stairwell Books present:
A BOOK LAUNCH
Wednesday 25 June 2014

Skydive: Leaping from the Ledge...
by Andrew Brown

The Black Swan (home of the York Folk Festival)
Peasholme Green
York
YO1 7PR

7.30ish for 8 pm

£5 for book, music, readings

Supported by

Bob Horton and Katy Marshall (they're on......FIRE)
Mark Connors
Tim Ellis

and others, dependent on bribes. No, kidding.

Andrew Brown is well known for his stories: poignant, hilarious, spooky, edgy, always observant. Here, a range of tales, some new, some familiar, with a dash of poetry too.

open college of the arts in cambridge: poets on the radio

At Darwin College, Cambridge, last month, I co-tutored a poetry workshop for Open College of the Arts students with tutor John Drew, who will be a featured poet on this blog in the New Year.

We were recorded and interviewed by Cambridge radio presenter Simon Bertin, who also took part in the workshop.  His lively Cambridge arts show, Arts Round-Up, is a must-listen for anyone interested in the arts scene in Cambridge.

The December show, which is here, features snapshots of the OCA day, an interview with me about what the Open College of the Arts offers, student Catherine Foster, John Drew and I reading out poems, and part of a famous Chinese poem read out in Chinese by PhD student Yang Guohua. Many thanks to Guohua and Simon for taking such an interest in the day.

My blogpost about the day is on the Open College of the Arts blog.

One of the best things about 2012 for me has been that I have had opportunities to work with other tutors for both the OU and the OCA, to tutor distance learning students face to face for short, intense periods of time, and to collaborate with other interested parties.

We were asked to translate the famous Chinese poem 'Leaving Cambridge 1927' by Xu Zhimo. This is my version of part of the poem, which I read out for Simon's radio show:

...one full year, one boat, one bright star.
Speckles of starlight sing themselves free.
But I'm unable to sing my own star free.
Quietly I steal away from reed pipe, flute,
summer insects. Now I sink into silence,
as this Cambridge evening sinks
into silence. This is how I leave,
quietly, just as I arrived, quietly.
I wave one sleeve, wave another,
walk away, don't leave myself
one slice of cloud.

poetry venue: buzzwords

About Buzzwords. Buzzwords poetry night has an excellent host in Angela France, and an audience of local poets who are working hard at their poetry themselves.


Buzzwords meets regularly for a poetry reading, open mic and workshopping session. See their program for dates and guest poets.

Upstairs at The Exmouth, Bath Road, Cheltenham. The first Sunday of every month.



7pm - workshop

8pm - Guest readings and open mic


£5 waged, £3 unwaged

summer/autumn round-up 2011

A round-up of what I've been up to in the writing world recently.

July: Guest reader at a lovely event at the Oxfam Bookshop
Guest reader at the popular and very busy Speaker's Corner
Article published in Jewish Renaissance about visiting India

August: Guest blogger on Andrew Oldham's website
Poem 'A week in the life' published on ink-sweat-and-tears

September: Hm, September was quiet

October: Enjoyed being guest reader and workshop leader at Buzzwords, Cheltenham
Poem 'Alibaug' in Jewish Renaissance
Review of Bobby Parker's 'Digging for Toys' appeared in Reach with a review of Deborah Harvey's 'Communion' due to appear in the November issue, and a 'Jobspot' feature for NAWE due in their next magazine

I also had two poems 'Sari and Chapattis' and 'Dawn Poems' commended in the Leaf Books Poetry Competition
My OU and OCA tutoring is happily continuing.

It's good to make occasional lists like this to remind yourself that lots of interesting things are in fact happening, because you sometimes feel you're shouting into the wind. And there are worse things than shouting into the wind.

the launch of 'Centuries of Skin'

There were about 50 of us in total. Friends, family, friends of family, fellow poets, partners, older children, local writers and one of my lovely students all came along to the Valentines Mansion on Sunday to help me celebrate the launch of 'Centuries of Skin' as part of the Redbridge Book and Media Festival 2010.

I was very lucky to have my launch in the Drawing Room of the 17th century Valentines Mansion in Gantshill. It was a beautiful venue, with its trailing vine wallpaper, Juliet balcony, and Queen Anne perspex chairs.

I wore my tried and tested grey dress, and read from 'Centuries of Skin' for twenty minutes. Then I enjoyed all the poems from the special guest readers.

It didn't rain, the cava and apple juice flowed, and although the event itself finished at 6.45, many of us stayed on till 8.

Thank you to everyone who came along, and special thanks to Chris, to Pat Livingstone who provided the wonderful music inspired by the island of Iona, to photographer Jen who is now going through dozens of photos, to Bob Mee from Ragged Raven Press for his introduction, poem and book table, to my special guest readers Christopher James, Shanta Everington, Adrian Green, Tim Cunningham, Ken Champion, Juli Jeana, and Anne Welsh, and to Shermain at Redbridge Council who worked so hard and was a great host.

My cousin Anne called it 'glorious'. Yes, I think it was.