Hello all,

Happy new year! 2019 was quite a busy and momentous year for me—I spent six months back in my hometown applying for a new UK visa (and was successful, phew!), and I finally submitted my PhD. I’m looking forward to wrapping up several projects this year and beginning new journeys. Here are a couple of updates on my upcoming performances, workshops, and publications.

First, I’m delighted that you can now purchase my debut pamphlet, Homing, via the Scottish Design Exchange, both in-store at their Edinburgh Ocean Terminal shop and online via this link (shipping available worldwide).

I’m looking forward to performing at several upcoming festivals and events this spring. First, I’ll be sharing some new material at Loud Poets: Six Candles, our sixth birthday celebration on 14th February at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Can’t believe it’s been six years of I Am Loud! Tickets available here. Next, I’m very excited to be representing Loud Poets at the Verve Poetry Festival’s opening night event in Birmingham on 20th February. It’s going to be a brilliant festival – tickets available here. 

Over the past few months I’ve been enjoying doing freelance promotional work for StAnza, Scotland’s international festival for poetry. I’ve loved volunteering and performing at StAnza for years, so it’s a joy to be part of their team. At this year’s festival, I’m delighted to be hosting the annual StAnza Slam! The slam will take place on the Saturday evening of the festival (7th March). Signups are open now; more information available here.

Last autumn I conducted a workshop for the University of Strathclyde MLitt course on basic performance practice, and I’m looking forward to delivering a series of similar workshops this spring with students at the University of Edinburgh. While these sessions are private, I’m always available for similar work. To learn more about the workshops I can provide and my background in education, please visit the Teaching page of my website. 

In 2020 I’m also returning to editorial work; I’m very excited to be working with the brilliant Carly Brown editing her collection to be published by Stewed Rhubarb Press. Stewed Rhubarb is currently running a pledge drive to support 4 poetry pamphlet publications in 2020, including Carly’s; by pledging now you’ll not only enable these pamphlets to happen but also receive all four of them in the mail earlier than they are made available to the general public. Learn more here, and thank you for your support.

Finally, I’m looking forward to my viva (PhD oral examination) in early February. After that point, I’ll begin writing more journal articles and blog posts based on my findings, plus I’m looking to eventually adapt and publish my manuscript as a book. I’m excited to share my research with you! More updates soon.

All my best to you for a happy, fulfilling 2020.

Katie