It’s a juggling act, finding the right balance!

As much as I’d love to do have Starving in a Garret open three days a week, I can only manage three hours on Saturday mornings at the moment due to my work commitments. But that’s life these days, isn’t it? We are all busy people and the trick is keeping all the balls in the air. That’s why I’m looking for volunteers to add a few hours to the time we can stay open.

I’ve also been away the last two Saturdays, the first for family and the second to attend a publishing workshop which was an exciting experience. It will be nice to sit quietly on Saturday, 18th May, the third session of Starving in a Garret and catch my breath.

I am still making enquiries in regards to rounding up would-be historians. I’m afraid it is as I feared – a real lack of people willing to do the work of interviewing our elderly residents on a volunteer basis. I’m sure I can track down a few though! I am meeting with Vicki Williamson from Eastlakes Historical Society this Saturday afternoon to discuss ways and means. Wish me luck and maybe pop in to see me this Saturday between 10am-1pm and say hello!

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We are open for business!

Great Northern Reality by Meg Dunn

Tomorrow is the first session of Starving in a Garret. I will be at 63 Stewart Avenue, Hamilton from 10am to 1pm and I have books to sell! Three but it is a start. Meg Dunn has kindly given me five copies of her poetry book Great Northern Reality.

Jennifer Compton has also donated a copy of her poetry book Parker & Quink. I also won a copy of Stephen Edgar’s Other Summers at Club Sandwich’s Poetry Night. Proceeds from both these books will go into the kitty.

Come along and say hello and have a look at Sarah’s wonderful reproductions!

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Five is the magic number!

5 is the magic numberThis evening I will be making my first pitch for volunteers. It will be at Poetry in the Pub (hopefully) for poets to drop in their chapbooks to the co-operative. After much deliberation I’ve decided five is the magic number. It’s a very workable and easy number to keep in your head. Every writer who is interested in helping at the co-operative is invited to 63 Stewart Avenue, Hamilton this Saturday, 20th April between 10am and 1pm to have a chat, view Sarah Birch from Inner Vista’s wonderful historical images and to drop in up to five copies of each of their editions they would like to sell through Starving in a Garret.

I’m really looking forward to meeting other writers and historians! The poet Jennifer Compton kindly donated one of her poetry books to me last weekend and the sale of this book will go into our kitty along with the very small commission charge of 5% for books sold through Starving in a Garret. I am hoping we can get some sales rolling in and build up our kitty for a a drinks night.

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A Beginning

photo

This is the very first post for Starving in A Garret. This project is only in planning stages and needs a location for a workspace and sanctuary but excitingly there are a number of options open. Hoping to speak to several people soon and I have lots of plans in the pipeline! For now what is ahead are lots of ideas being thrown about, phone calls, talks and meetings. Exciting stuff!

Stay tuned! Hopefully it won’t be long until Newcastle can have a collaborative space where authors’ books, photographs and reproductions of historical images are sold. Where writers and historians can meet and chat. Tea or coffee anyone? Take a seat? What are you working on now? Volunteers are needed. Anyone that is interested in being involved please contact me below or at lakelady2282 at hotmail.com

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