WRITE ABOUT TREES
A showcase of nature poetry and prose, performed by the writers themselves
Ticket Information
WRITE ABOUT TREES
Date: Sunday 21 May 2023
Time: 16:30 - 18.00
Location: Online Zoom event
Tickets: Free, Book here (Donations welcomed)
Readings from the shortlisted authors participating in Canopy, the 2023 Writing competition.
Joining information will be sent to you when you book.
Event Information
The WRITE ABOUT TREES showcase event introduces the shortlisted authors of the Urban Tree Festival writing competition, and includes readings of their poetry and prose.
Run by walk · listen · create and Sampson Low Publishers the Urban Tree Festival writing competition attracted over 160 entires. The competition required writers to compose poems or prose of 250 words and under, inspired by the theme of “Secrets of the Trees”.
The shortlisted pieces are published in Canopy an illustrated chapbook anthology, sale proceeds of which go to support future Urban Tree Festivals. Copies of the book can be purchased here.
The winners and runners-up in each of the poetry and prose categories will be announced at the event.
Our compere for the event will be Dave Brothwick
Dave Borthwick is a tramper of fields and stander in the rain who lives in Dumfries and Galloway, SW Scotland. He teaches environmental humanities at the University of Glasgow’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Our chapbook anthology authors are:
Galia Admoni
Galia Admoni is a writer and Head of English at a school in London. Galia will read her poem Tree.
Julian Bishop
Julian Bishop’s first collection of eco poems called We Saw It All Happen was published earlier this year by Fly On The Wall Press. Julian will read his poem Warning: Dangerous Tree.
John Bowen
John Bowen is a retired social worker from South London, He has written poetry for many years and more recently has had several published. His poem Jacaranda: Blue on Blue will be read by a reader.
Adam Elms
Adam Elms is a visually impaired creative living in Bristol navigating his mid-thirties with wild abandon (and poetry). Loves books, but buys too many. Adam will read his poem Fallen Comrade.
Em Gray
Em Gray is a poet and artist from Brighton. She recently won second prize in the Mslexia Women's Poetry Competition. Em will read her poem Evergreen.
Lizzie Gwinnell
Lizzie lives in Wiltshire with two black cats. Her first novel "No Milk Today" was published in 2022. Lizzie will read Deirdre.
Andrew Halsall Smith
Andrew Halsall Smith lives outside Durham. He often writes poetry and short fiction whilst walking his dog, Bonnie, around its leafy suburbs and country paths. His story When the Bough Holds Strong will be read by a reader.
Rayna Haralambieva
Rayna is a Bulgarian writer who writes mostly in English. Her fiction is published in, among others, Reflex Fiction, Litro, Strands and Bath Flash Fiction. Rayna will read Trees are Poems Sung by the Wind.
Cheryl Markosky
Cheryl Markosky’s words are in EllipsisZine, New Flash Fiction Review, Mslexia, Retreat West and Janus Literary. Cheryl’s Walk•Listen•Create’s 2022/23 flash fiction writer-in-residence. Cheryl will read Sucking.
Arthur Sparrow
I'm Arthur Sparrow
I grew up as a feral kid on the Kent coast. At the other end of my life, I'm enjoying being a 'creative naturalist.' Arthur will read his poem Death of a Veteran.
Penny Walker
Penny Walker started writing creatively during lockdown as a way of spending time in a better draft of the world. She lives in North London. 4Ever will be read by a reader.
Kyra Williams
Kyra Williams is an actress and playwright who recently qualified as a forest school leader. Trees and storytelling are two subjects close to her heart. Kyra will read The Forest.
The writers will be joined by the competition judges
For poetry:
Michele Grieve is a poet, writer, tree seer. Her first drafts written within the ancient forests of Hertfordshire; she’s currently collating her first collection. Urban Tree Festival 2022/3 Writer in residence.
JC Niala is an award-winning nature writer, poet and anthropologist. Educated at Marlborough College, Wiltshire and the University of Oxford (Kellogg, St Antony's, St Catherine's) she is interested in how our imaginations of nature affect how we treat it.
Sarah Westcott I am poet, writer and mentor with a life-long interest in the natural world. I have published a pamphlet and two collections with Liverpool University Press, the second of which, Bloom, was long listed for Simon Armitages' 2022 Laurel Prize for the best collection of eco or nature poetry. I teach poetry at City Lit and elsewhere and live in SE London/Kent with my family.
For prose:
Joanna Wolfarth is an art historian, lecturer and writer. Her first book, "MILK: An Intimate History of Breastfeeding" will be published in early 2023 by W&N. She currently teaches art history at The Open University, having previously been Visiting Lecturer in Southeast Asian Art History at SOAS, University of London. Urban Tree Festival 2022/3 Writer in residence.
NG Bristow is a screen writer, director and visual artist. He is rooted at Goldsmiths University of London, where he runs the MA in Directing Fiction. An award-winning filmmaker and installation artist whose practice encompasses classical narrative, expanded cinema, and para-cinema. Past work in these categories includes: CONTROL , winner of the Louis Mitchell award for best feature / short at Action on Film festival 2016. UNSOUND, showcase premiere at SXSW. Using the prototype Sensum Emotional Response Cinema technology, the film recomposes its narrative in real time based on bio-feedback from the audience. He has been commissioned by: FilmFour, C4, BBC, UKFC, BFI, NIFC, NI Screen and the Arts Council.
The anthologies are edited by Chris Bestwick and beautifully illustrated by Alban Low and published by his family’s 300 year old publishing company Sampson Low Publishers.
Read more about WRITE ABOUT TREES and the competitions in the blog.
Buy the Canopy 2023 chapbook anthology of poetry and prose - in support of future festivals - just £5.99 +p&p - available from the 8th May.
Please Donate
Most tickets for the Urban Tree Festival are free, but we ask attendees to please donate if they can.
We suggest a donation of £5 per event and you can easily donate when booking your ticket. Larger donations are always welcomed.
Donations are essential to the running of the Urban Tree Festival and you can find out why here.