Past Events

Swanwick – The Writers’ Summer School

Start date: August 9, 2025
End date: August 14, 2025
Time: 12:00 am - 12:00 am
Location: Swanwick, Derbyshire

Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger will be evening guest speakers on 10th August 2025 for this residential ‘Summer School’.  They will also be running a workshop as part of the programme on the 11th August 2025.

Now booking for at eclectic week of writing, learning, relaxation & fun with other writers in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside.

Five nights accommodation – all tuition included, all evening entertainment included, all meals included

£750 (early bird)  £750 (full price)

Interest free payment plans available, early bird available until 31st January, and discount scheme for 18-30 year olds.

For more information go to www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk

 

Black Country Women appearing at Waterstones in Wolverhampton

Date: June 15, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Waterstones, 13-15 Victoria Street, Mander Centre, Wolverhampton, WV1 3NP
Join Emma Purshouse, Marion Cockin, Jane Seabourne, Kuli Kohli & Jane Salmons for a relaxed Sunday afternoon of Black Country poetry.  All poets will be reading their own work, and exploring their respective relationships with the region.
Free event.

Dudley Book Festival

Date: June 11, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Gornal Library, Abbey Road, Lower Gornal, Dudley. DY3 2PG.

Emma Purshouse will be appearing at Gornal Library as part of Dudley Book Festival.

Emma will be talking about making a living as a writer, sharing poems and extracts from her novel Dogged (which was recently read by the Gornal Library Book Group).

Contact Gornal library on 01384 812755 to book your place

To find out more about what’s on as part of the festival then go here:

https://www.better.org.uk/library/dudley/dudley-library/whats-on/dudley-writers-festival

 

City Voices Wolverhampton

Date: June 10, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Location: Lych Gate, 44, Queen Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1TX

June City Voices features Jill Tromans, David Bingham, Kerry Hadley-Pryce, Kenton Samuels and Emma Purshouse.

MC Simon Fletcher

£5 on the door

 

Fen Speak with Emma Purshouse

Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Centre E, Barton Road, Ely. CB7 4DE.
Fen Speak is Ely’s long-running regular poetry, spoken word and storytelling open mic night where local writers come together to share their work in a friendly environment.
Emma Purshouse will be the featured poet for the May event.
Free entry.

Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger at Words on the Wall, Hexham

Date: February 15, 2025
Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: The Coach and Horses, 32 Priestpopple, Hexham NE46 1PQ
Black Country duo Emma Purshouse (former Wolverhampton Laureate and National Poetry Competition 3rd prize winner) and Steve Pottinger (recently featured by Craig Charles on BBC 6 Music). We’ll also have our usual open mic, so please bring something of your own to share if you’d like to.
If you want to sign up for the open mic, ask host Joe Williams for a slot when you arrive. Open mic slots have a strict time limit of 4 minutes, which includes any introductions.
Entry is on a pay-as-you-feel basis.  All donations go to the guest poets, who will also have books for sale. The pub is open all day.
NOTE: The kitchen at the venue is currently closed – food will not be available (except bar snacks).

Talk – It’s Honorary, Bab

Date: February 11, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Goodyear Pavilion, Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV10 6AJ

Emma will talk about being the first Poet Laureate for the City of Wolverhampton. She will be explaining to the members of ‘Wolverhampton Friendship Centre 050’ what the work of the Poet Laureate entails and sharing examples of the creative work that she completed during her tenure.

This will include poetry about local people and places, focusing on such things as Queen Victoria’s visit to Wolverhampton, Catherine Eddowes’ links to the City, Red Emma and the ruminations of ‘The Man on the ‘Oss’.

Non-members are welcome to attend.  If you would like to book a place then contact Petra Wielgosz, 07955631926

Members fee £4

Non-members £7

In Conversation with Joanna Toye – Wolverhampton Literature Festival 2025

Date: January 31, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: The Georgian Gallery, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1DU
Emma will be in conversation with novelist Joanna Toye.   
Jo worked for many years as a writer and producer on soaps ranging from The Archers to EastEnders, before creating her own fictional world in her popular Shop Girls and Victory Girls novels, set around Wolverhampton’s very own Beatties. Jo is returning to the festival this year to talk about her her brand-new series, set in and around a station bookshop, also in WW2.
To book your place go here:
https://wolvesliteraturefestival.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173654593

Emma Purshouse on Black Country Xtra hosted by Lee Benson

Date: January 26, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Radio
Emma Purshouse appears on Black Country Xtra hosted by Lee Benson Sunday at 12-1 pm on Sunday 26th January.
The show will then be on demand for the whole of the following week.

Wolverhampton Literature Festival Poetry Slam 2025

Date: January 25, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Location: Arena Theatre, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1SE
Alongside her fellow Poets, Prattlers, and Pandemonialists, Emma will be hosting the Wolverhampton Literature Festival Poetry Slam at Arena Theatre for the Wolverhampton Literature Festival 2025. 
 
Watch 15 poets go head to head in a fast-paced live poetry competition. 
 
There will be whoops, cheers, and thunderous applause as the audience attempts to influence the judges into sending their favourite wordsmiths on into the next round. 
 
Let battle commence!
Tickets £15 full price and £12 concessions

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