'Twas The Nite Afore Guy Fawks Nite

The Blake Society of Downing College is hosting a poetry and spoken word night on Wednesday 4th November in Downing College JCR. It is open to everyone. Mark McGivern will be compering the evening and introducing featured performances by J.S.Watts, Abi Palmer, Lulu Agate and Callum Church and encouraging everyone else to share their work via the open mic.

7.30pm at Downing College JCR, Downing College, Regent Street, Cambridge on Wednesday 4th November.

Blog Hopping with Paranormal Love Wednesdays

There is a blog hop dedicated to the paranormal romance lover (or lovers of paranormal with romantic elements, or romance with paranormal elements, or any other combination). It's called Paranormal Love Wednesdays and you can read more about the hop over at the blog, but, basically, in four paragraphs or less a participating writer gives the reader a peek into their story or novel.

As my latest novel Witchlight definitely fits the category of paranormal with romantic elements, I thought I'd give it a go:

The blurb: Holly has been mortal all her life. Now at thirty-eight, her fairy godfather arrives to tell her she’s a witch, and suddenly she's having to come to terms with the uncertainties of an alarmingly magic-fuelled world. Magic is not like it is in the books and films, and Holly starts to doubt whether her fairy godfather, Partridge Mayflower, is the fey, avuncular charmer he appears.When appearances are magically deceptive, Holly cannot afford to trust those closest to her, including herself. Accidents start to happen, people die, Old Magic is on the hunt, but in the age-old game of cat and mouse, just who is the feline and who is the rodent?

A Review: "Witchlight is an enchanting read that will tickle the reader with its humor and adventure." San Francisco Book Review

An Excerpt:    Twenty seconds after the cat vacated its spot in the darkest and most secluded part of the field, a blob of pale turquoise light appeared a metre or so above the grass, expanded in volume and brightness, and then disappeared with a barely audible poof! leaving in its place a short, dapper man in well-washed blue jeans and an extremely bright and ever-so-slightly twinkly turquoise shirt. He patted himself down, smoothed his already immaculate auburn hair, and walked across the closely cropped combination of grass, thistles, and nettles towards the back of the houses overlooking the field. His intended destination was the somewhat rampant looking garden at the back of number sixty-six Basingfield Lane in which Holly Jepps, the owner, was currently attempting to tame some long-untended grass.
                         Holly remained unaware of her impending visitor until he leaned over the back fence, coughed politely, and in distinctly over-emphatic tones said, “Hi Holly, good to meet you. How’s it going?” 

Aren't You Just A Wee Bit Curious?

J.S. is mightily chuffed to have a brand new poem in the Curious Issue of Popshot Magazine. Moreover, "Blue Eggshell Moment" (the poem in question) has been sumptuously illustrated by the rather talented Karolina Burdon. Popshot Magazine has this to say on the matter,

"Our brand new issue, neatly packed with short stories, poems and illustrations exploring the theme of 'Curious', is fresh off the press and out now. Available to buy as a single issue or through a Popshot subscription.

Find out more at http://www.popshotpopshot.com/posts/20151001-out-now-the-new-issue-of-popshot"

So you're going to have a little look, aren't you, because you must, by now, be just a wee bit curious...

Go on - let your curiosity get the best of you. You just have to click here

Poetry Unplugged Vol II

Following the huge success of their first Poetry Unplugged evening, Rhode Island Cafe are in full

swing for round two of a fun and creative evening filled with poetry readings and open mic, hosted

once again by none other than the fantastic Jonathan Totman, current Fenland Poet Laureate. The event will be taking place on Wednesday, 30th September.

The two headlining poets are J.S. Watts and Robin Lamboll.

There'll also be open-mic slots. Pop in beforehand for a chance to enjoy some excellent food and drink. Last orders for food will be 7.30pm, with poetry starting at 8pm. Bar open until 9.30pm with the restaurant closing at 9.45pm/10pm.

Entry is £3.00 on the door. Rhode Island is at 15 High Street, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

Yeovil Literary Prize For Poetry 2015

Much excitement as J.S.Watts' poem "View from Sheep Field Barn, Much Hadham" wins Third Prize in this year's Yeovil Literary Prize for poetry!

For those interested in the detail of things, Sheep Field Barn is part of the Much Hadham estate of the renowned sculptor Henry Moore.

Second prize went to Peter Marshall for his poem "Primary School Hall" and the coveted first prize went to Stephanie Conn for "Making Butter".

You can read the full results and the judge's comments here.

So Which Ones Are Your Favourites?

J.S.Watts' poetry collection, Cats and Other Myths features in this Sunday's blog post by Jennie Byrne of the literary magazine, Under The Fable.

Byrne found the collection to be "a thoroughly enjoyable read" and highlighted both "All Hallows" and "Mirror" as her two favourite poems. She's invited readers of Under The Fable's blog to respond with their own favourites.

A Darker Moon in Video

Following on from the video readings of the first chapter of her paranormal novel, "Witchlight", J.S.Watts has recorded chapters one and two of her literary, dark fiction novel, "A Darker Moon".

The videos are available for your viewing and listening pleasure on YouTube and to make matters even easier still, they are gathered here together on this post.

Just click to watch and listen.