A writer friend messaged me recently on FB saying, ‘Hey, we’re in the same anthology – see you in Belfast on Saturday?”
At the time, I had no idea what she was talking about as I’m not so good at keeping records of where I’ve submitted my work, but it turned out that we had both had poems accepted for a new collection from Northern Irish writers.
The anthology, The Poet’s Place, was to be launched in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter the following day.
So, I invited some friends and off we went.
I must admit, once I discovered I was to be first to read to a packed room, I was suddenly very relieved that my contribution was Japanese-style short form poetry – by the time people realised I had started to read, it was all over!
Anyway, I loved listening to the various contributing poets reading their work on the night – and I am still enjoying reading them. 🙂
‘The Poet’s Place’ may be purchased from No Alibis bookshop on Botanic Avenue, Belfast:
Tel: +44 (0)28 9031 9601
Fax: +44 (0)28 9031 9607
Email: david@noalibis.com
or by contacting The Community Arts Partnership in Commercial Court, Befast:
tel: +44 (0)28 9092 3493
fax: +44 (0)28 9092 4545
email: info@comartspartner.org
Press information about the event:
http://comartspartner.org/?p=113798
seaviewwarrenpoint 
Congratulations on the anthology inclusion and the reading. Enjoyed the photo of you ‘in performance’- scary and exciting at the same time I think.
Thanks Carol, yes, it was daunting, but because they were both senryu I didn’t have time to be nervous! The good thing about going first was that it was great listening to everyone else and not worrying about having to get up! 🙂