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Seren Stay-at-Home Series Archive

Welcome to the Seren Stay-at-Home Series archive! Over the coming weeks, we will be uploading recordings of the entire two-week series to our Youtube channel for you to rewatch at your leisure. Subscribe to be notified when we post new videos.
We’re hugely grateful to everyone who bought tickets and joined us for the live events. It was a fantastic two weeks and we couldn’t have done it without you. We are always grateful for the support of our loyal readers and if you would like to donate to help us and our authors thrive during this time, you can do so here. 
Robert Minhinnick in Conversation with Jon Gower
Rewatch the full conversation between Robert Minhinnick and Jon Gower from the Seren Stay-at-Home Series. They discuss Robert’s latest novel Nia and the inspiration behind his writing.

 
Eoghan Walls: Pigeon Songs
Rewatch our event with Eoghan Walls where he reads poems from his two collections, The Salt Harvest and Pigeon Songs plus some new work.

 
Kim Moore: Ask a Poet Q&A
The third event of the Seren Stay-at-Home Series saw us host a Q&A with award-winning poet Kim Moore, author of The Art of Falling. Watch it back now.

 
Phil Cope: The Poetry of Sacred Springs and Holy Wells
In this illustrated talk Phil Cope, author of The Living Wells of Wales takes us on a journey through the wells of Wales, Scotland, Cornwall and Ireland and shares some of his favourite poetic responses to sacred springs and holy wells. 

 
Ben Wilkinson: Way More Than Luck
In the latest video from the Seren Stay-at-Home Series, poet and critic Ben Wilkinson reads from his debut collection Way More Than Luck and shares some of the poems that featured in his Poems for the Lockdown videos.

 
Nula Suchet: The Longest Farewell
The 1 September marked the beginning of World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to raise awareness and challenge the stigma about dementia. In this event from the Seren Stay-at-Home Series, Nula Suchet, author of The Longest Farewell, and her husband John joined us to talk about the challenges facing dementia sufferers and their families.
NOTE: We experienced some connection issues during this event so please excuse the quality of the recording.

 
An Evening with Peter Finch: Walking Cardiff & The Machineries of Joy
In this event, Peter Finch kicked off the second week of the Seren Stay-at-Home Series reading from his two most recent books; his psychogeographic guide to the Welsh capital Walking Cardiff and his first collection of poetry in a decade The Machineries of Joy.

 
T.J. Hughes: Wales’s Best One Hundred Churches
Our second illustrated talk during the Seren Stay-at-Home Series saw T. J. Hughes give us a fascinating insight into the churches of Wales and the history contained within their walls. His book Wales’s Best One Hundred Churches is available on our website. 

 
Q&A with Jaki McCarrick
As part of the Seren Stay-at-Home Series we hosted a special Q&A with award-winning writer and playright Jaki McCarrick, author of The Scattering. 

 
Alexandra Ford: What Remains at the End
In this Seren Stay-at-Home Series event, Alexandra Ford reads from her debut novel What Remains at the End and talks about her personal connection to its setting, followed by an audience Q&A.

 
An Evening of Poetry with Tamar Yoseloff and Martyn Crucefix
At this event two Seren poets joined us for an evening of poetry. Tamar Yoseloff read from her collections A Formula for Night and The Black Place and Martyn Crucefix read from his Seren collection The Lovely Disciplines.

 
David Llewellyn: A Simple Scale
In this final recording from the Seren Stay-at-Home Series, David Llewellyn is in conversation with Nemonie Craven Roderick about his latest novel A Simple Scale and actor Samuel West read extracts from the book.

 

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eBooks are coming to the Seren website!

It will soon be easier than ever to get hold of Seren eBooks when they become available to buy via our website later this month. Rediscover forgotten favourites or download the latest releases as they come out. 
We will be using the Glassboxx service from Firsty Group for delivery of our eBooks. This will make it quick and easy for you to access the books you’ve purchased by way of a simple app on your Android or iOS phone or tablet, or Kindle Fire.
We have a wide range of eBooks available across our poetry, fiction and non-fiction categories which you will be able to view in a new section of our website or on individual book pages.
Keep an eye out for the full details as soon as the system launches.

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‘Pigeon Songs’ Shortlisted for the Pigott Poetry Prize 2020

We are delighted to share that Pigeon Songs by Eoghan Walls has been shortlisted for the Listowel Writers’ Week Pigott Poetry Prize 2020. 
Pigeon Songs was selected by judge Ian McMillan alongside When the Tree Falls by Jane Clarke and What Planet by Miriam Gamble from a collection of over 60 entries. 
Speaking about the adjudication, poet Ian McMillan said “In terrible and turbulent times poetry can offer us a map out of lockdown and social distancing. Judging the competition reminded me of the power of language to enchant, to stimulate and to comfort. So many Irish poets are working at the height of their powers, wrestling with language to make it fit the world we live in, and it’s been marvellous to be part of that ongoing endeavour.”
Catherine Moylan, Chairperson of Listowel Writers’ Week revealed the shortlist. “I’m delighted to announce the three shortlisted collections for this year’s 2020 Pigott Poetry Prize; these wonderful collections are such treasures and show the wonderful talent and creativity that exists in this country.”
What Planet by Miriam Gamble was announced as the winner of the prize during an online ceremony on Wednesday 27th May. 

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A Stay-at-Home Series to Remember

Inspired by the numerous online festivals that have happened since lockdown began, the Seren Stay-at-Home Series started as an idea in the back of the mind that grew into a two-week showcase of events. Within a week, the programme was in place and tickets could go on sale.
We’ve hosted a variety of events including an interview with Robert Minhinnick, poetry readings from Eoghan Walls and Ben Wilkinson, illustrated talks with Phil Cope and TJ Huges, Q&As with Kim Moore and Jaki McCarrick plus many more. We’ve reached international audiences. There have been reunions with old friends, and introductions to new faces. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets and supported us.
It’s not quite over yet though. Our penultimate event with Tamar Yoseloff and Martyn Crucefix begins at tonight 7:30pm and the series finishes tomorrow evening with David Llewellyn in conversation with Nemonie Craven Roderick about his Polari Prize-shortlisted novel A Simple Scale. We are delighted to announce that actor Samuel West will also be joining us to open the event with readings from the book.
Several of the authors have donated their fees to charity, including the Alzheimer’s Society, the National Campaign for the Arts and Roy Kinnear House in memory of Karina Kinnear.
Tickets are £5 and can be bought on the Seren website here: https://www.serenbooks.com/seren-stay-home-series

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Introducing the Seren Stay-at-Home Series!

We are delighted to announce that between the 12th & 16th and 18th & 22nd May we will be hosting the Seren Stay-at-Home Series – ten days of online readings, interviews and Q&As with our fantastic authors. 
Since the lockdown began, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed being able to bring events like First Thursday to our readers virtually so that they can join in with them no matter where they are in UK, or even the world. 
The Seren Stay-at-Home Series will be a true celebration of this new accessibility and we’re sure you will find something to enjoy amongst the events.
Get your tickets here. 
 
Programme
Tuesday 12th May7:30pm​ – Robert Minhinnick: Nia, interviewed by Jon GowerTickets £5
Wednesday 13th May7:30pm – Eoghan Walls: Pigeon SongsTickets £5​
Thursday 14th May 6:30pm – Ask a Poet Q&A with Kim MooreTickets £5​
7:30pm – Phil Cope: The Poetry of the Sacred Springs and Holy Wells of Wales, Scotland, Cornwall & IrelandTickets £5
Friday 15th May7:30pm – Ben Wilkinson: Way More Than LuckTickets £5
Saturday 16th May4:00pm – Nula Suchet: The Longest FarewellTickets £5​
Sunday 17th MayNO EVENTS
Monday 18th May7:30pm – Peter Finch: Walking Cardiff & The Machineries of JoyTickets £5​
Tuesday 19th May7:30pm – T. J. Hughes: Wales Best One Hundred ChurchesTickets £5​
Wednesday 20th May6:30pm – Ask a Writer Q&A with Jaki McCarrickTickets £5​
7:30pm – Alexandra Ford: What Remains at the EndTickets £5​
Thursday 21st May7:30pm – An Evening of Poetry with Tamar Yoseloff & Martyn CrucefixTickets £5​
Friday 22nd May7:30pm – David Llewellyn: A Simple Scale, interviewed by Nemonie Craven RoderickTickets £5

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Four Books to Celebrate International Jazz Day

Today is International Jazz Day, a worldwide celebration of jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. Here are four Seren titles you can celebrate with.

On the Beach with Chet Baker by Robert Seatter

“Presence and absence, some sort of together” (‘On the Beach with Chet Baker’). These are the three places that Robert Seatter’s second book of poems explores, with deftness, insight and artistry. They move from places of stasis and memory, through the uneasy proximities of love captured in the moody jazz trumpet of the title poem, and out to the uncharted spaces that loss and death can create.

“…emotional engagement in abundance”.  –Planet

 

Out of Nowhere by Roger Granelli

White British guitarist Frank Magnani arrives in fifties New York to break into the smoky world of jazz. Coming home from the austerity of post-war Europe to a land of plenty he finds there’s plenty to learn. His education is not confined to music alone, he also finds himself in a world where ego is everything, the musicians are black, and the drink and drugs are the fuel of creativity. Caught up in the violence of the city, Magnani flees on a journey through the southern provinces and his own mental state too. His personal odyssey is complete when he returns to the club scene of New York in a dramatic climax to his career and this atmospheric novel.

 

Sax Burglar Blues by Robert Walton

Sax Burglar Blues by Robert Walton is packed with memory, incident, observation, opinion, humour, outrage and elegy. Subjects include: woodlice, jazz, teachers, grandparents, a canary who runs for President, Sisley’s lovely painting of the Gower, the iconoclastic poet John Tripp, a night bus named after Dusty Springfield, a Dad who loves Cardiff City, the annoying closure of bookshops and much more.

​‘Dip into Walton’s jazzed-up version of the world and you will inevitably surface from the pages in a brighter hue.’ – Wales Arts Review

 

The Roots of Rock by Peter Finch

The Roots of Rock, from Cardiff to Mississippi and Back Peter Finch follows the trail of twentieth century popular music from a 1950s valve radio playing in a suburban Cardiff terrace to the reality of the music among the bars of Ireland, the skyscrapers of New York, the plains of Tennessee, the flatlands of Mississippi and the mountains of North Carolina. The Roots of Rock mixes musical autobiography with an exploration of the physical places from which this music comes. It is a demonstration of the power of music to create a world for the listener that is simultaneously of and beyond the place in which it is heard.

 

Find these and many more great titles on the Seren website

Don’t forget you can get 20% off when you sign up to be a member of our book club. 

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Robert Minhinnick’s latest novel ‘Nia’ longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize.

In these difficult times some good news is always welcome, and today it was announced that Nia the latest novel by Robert Minhinnick has been longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize.
This annual award is given to a distinguished work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry that evokes the spirit of a place. Nia is set in the same seaside town and nearby sand dunes on the south Wales coast as another of Minhinnick’s novels, Sea Holly, which was previously shortlisted for the prize. It also shares some of the characters with Sea Holly, and is the third in a trilogy of novels. Also a prize-winning poet, Minhinnick has written a lyrical novel described as “a powerful deliberation on memory and storytelling”.
You can view the full longlist here.
The shortlist will be announced on Monday 20th April and the winner on Monday 4th May.
Nia is available on the Seren website £9.99

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Business as usual

Dear all,
From Wednesday 18 March the Seren office will be closed as we all negotiate the corona virus, but we continue to operate as usual. Staff will be working from home and available via email. Please help us to support our authors and their books as we navigate the difficult months ahead. Don’t forget that all of our books are available online via our website www.serenbooks.com. A number of the independent bookshops we work with also offer online services and home delivery. All forthcoming events, including First Thursday, have been cancelled. Look out for updates on the website and on social media.
Keep safe,The Seren Team

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Sarah Wimbush wins the Mslexia/PBS Women’s Poetry Pamphlet Competition 2019

This cover shows a collage image of a woman with pale skin and red lips, her head covered in intricate flowers. The text reads: Bloodlines. Sarah Wimbush.

We are delighted to be publishing Sarah Wimbush’s pamphlet Bloodlines today after it was selected by Amy Wack as the winner of the Mslexia/PSB Women’s Poetry Pamphlet Competition 2019.
On hearing the news Sarah said: “It was a complete shock to hear that I’d won the Mslexia/PBS Pamphlet Competition! This particular group of poems is something I’ve been working on for years; each poem drawn from fragments of my own heritage, so it’s incredibly rewarding to have them judged as ‘good enough’ by Amy Wack, and thrilling to have them sent out into the world by Seren who have published some of my favourite poets.”
Bloodlines is an exploration of Sarah Wimbush’s own Gypsy/Traveller heritage, a journey made by piecing together fragments of distant stories and a scattered language. Along the way, we meet people who are ‘tethered to the seasons’; voices that reverberate with a sense of family and resilience, and always with that constant wonder of being part of something colourful, untamed and rare.
Judge’s comment:
“These poems are full of lively slang, near riotous episodes of family drama and a keen sense of the precarious nature of Travellers’ lives. I fell in love with the gusto, the sheer gritty texture of these poems, with their harsh monosyllables and ruthless wit. They are composed with an adroit technique, formal skill, a Chaucerian sense of exuberant action. I was also often surprised by the inventive vocabulary, a Gypsy patois that renders their often tempestuous experiences in vivid colour. This makes for entertainingly original, moving work, beautifully imagined and executed. Bravo!” – Amy Wack
Bloodlines is available now from the Seren website: £5.00
 
Previous winners of the Mslexia/PBS Women’s Poetry Pamphlet Competition include:
This Tilting Earth by Jane Lovel (2018), Giraffe by Bryony Littlefair (2017), Translating Mountains by Yvonne Reddick (2016), The Dogs That Chase Bicycle Wheels by Ilse Pedler (2015), The Tailor’s Three Sons and Other New York Poems by Mara Bergman (2014) and Sleeping with Rivers by Cath Drake (2013).
 
Find out more about Mslexia, the prize and their other competitions at www.mslexia.co.uk.
Learn more about the Poetry Book Society and how you can become a member at www.poetrybooks.co.uk.

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Friday Poem – ‘Spring’ by Kate Bingham

With St David’s Day on Sunday our Friday Poem this week is ‘Spring’ by Kate Bingham from her collection Infragreen.

infragreen

Perceptive, persuasive and intricately made, the poems of Kate Bingham’s third collection, Infragreen, take the reader on a startling and unfamiliar journey through everyday experiences and phenomena. Her keen eye, reflectiveness and quiet wit endow her subjects with a shimmering freshness.

Infragreen is full of sensuous, imaginative and beautifully accomplished work. It succeeds in leading the consciousness beyond its deadened rounds.’ – The Poetry Review

Infragreen is available on the Seren website: £9.99

Create your free Seren account and enjoy 20% off every book you buy direct from us.