flipped eye authors'

Hi there,

Just a last minute reminder regarding poetry competition that I’m helping to organize, the deadline for which has been extended to the 23^rd OCTOBER. The ‘ROAD to FREEDOM’ poetry competition is open to all poets. Burma is now one of the poorest countries in the world, its people one of the most oppressed. This year alone, 4 Burmese writers were sentenced to 7-19 years in prison for publishing a book of poetry, and their democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi (The Lady) has been under house arrest for 11 of the past 17 years. This poetry competition is dedicated to her and to all writers silenced by brutal regimes. All proceeds go to Prospect Burma www.prospectburma.org Registered Charity No: 802615

1^st prize - £200, 2^nd prize - £50, 3^rd prize - £25 + 6 ‘Highly Recommended’ get a selection of books. The ‘Road to Freedom’ Poetry Competition is open to anyone, anywhere. All poems should be written on the central theme of Freedom, either in Burma, or elsewhere where liberty is no longer part of the human equation. Rules as follows:

-Each poem should be no longer than 40 lines, and typed on one side of A4.

-There is no limit on the number of poems submitted by each entrant. Each poem must be typed on a separate A4 sheet, and will be judged separately.

-All entries must be written in English and be the original, work of the entrant.

-Entry fee £5 (US$9.50) for first poem and £3 (US$5.50) for each additional poem. Payment for overseas entries must be made by credit card. Please give name of credit card, account no., expiry date, + signature.

-Cheques/money orders should be payable to Prospect Burma, and sent with your poem(s). Entries received without accompanying payment will not be deemed eligible.

-Closing date is now MONDAY 23^RD OCTOBER, 2006.

-Winners will be notified in early November, receive a copy of the ‘Road to Freedom’ anthology, & can read their poem at the anthology book launch at a venue to be announced later in the year.

Judges: i) Agnes Meadows – International Poet, Host various poetry events in London.

ii) James Byrne – Poet, and editor of The Wolf Poetry magazine iii) Nii Parkes – Poet, editor of X-bout International Poetry Magazine, & Director of Waterways Publishing, and iv) Niall O’Sullivan – International Poet, Host of two leading poetry events in central London

All entries must be marked ‘Road to Freedom’ Poetry Competition to: Agnes Meadows - Prospect Burma, c/o Porter’s Lodge, Rivermead Court, Ranelagh Gardens, London SW6 3SE. I know the deadline is very close, but that shouldn’t prevent you from entering. It’s a fantastic opportunity to support the people of Burma, so please, please, please enter the competition, and pass on the information to any poet you know who might be interested. For more information contact me agnesmorgn@aol.com or leave a message on 020-7833-5828 (my mobile’s still dead).

Also: for all you feminists out there Marilyn Hacker is performing at the Poetry Café this Friday, 20^th October, 7.30 – 22 Betterton Street, Covent Garden. I understand she is an exceptional poet, so you might like to check it out.

And finally, just alerting you to the fact that on Wednesday 8^th November, I have LOOSE MUSE, a monthly event for women writers on Wednesday, 8.00-10.00 p.m @ The Poetry Café, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2 (Covent Garden tube) £5.00/£3.00 concs. Featuring the wonderful Lucy English, international poet, novelist and academic. Plus open mike readings from the floor to share and explore work - sign up for open mike 7.30-8.00 p.m.

And on Thursday 9^th November there is ANGEL POETRY, a free event @ Borders Bookstore, N1 Centre, 26 Parkfield Street, London N1 (opposite Angel tube),at 6.45-8.15 p.m. As well as the open mike floor spots (sign up 6.30-6.45 p.m.) I’ll be featuring the surreal and extraordinary Jason King, and the ebullient and talent Joshua Idehen.

As always, do come along and share the passion and the joy.