News - July and August 2018

 Hello!

 This has been an eventful summer, which began with me graduating from the University of Manchester with my Integrated Professional Masters in Languages!

 Since then I have been doing a lot of projects in and out of Manchester, with a sort of culmination being Manchester Pride, where I performed my poetry at Tell It Like It Is, and enjoyed a wonderful weekend of celebration.

 I have done a few other spoken word events: I performed at Stirred and Bad Language in Manchester, Open Mic Poetry at the Old Courts in Wigan, and the launch of Issue 4 of Coast to Coast to Coast in Liverpool.

 An exciting piece of news is that I was shortlisted for the Creative Future Literary Awards, which is very encouraging.

 I have also had some poetry published: "Blue butterflies" in Celebrating Change, "Kiwi fruit" in Strix, "What you are made of" in Coast to Coast to Coast, "Hesitation" in Siblíní Journal, and "Bed Island" and "A door opened" in Confluence Magazine. 

 Additionally, my fiction piece "Sweets on Neptune" appeared in Visual Verse.

 July's issue of Now Then Manchester's Word Life page was an LGBTQ+ showcase, which I am very proud of putting together. It included my poem "Raspberries", along with lovely work from other writers. August's issue had the theme of "Heroes".

 Foxglove Journal is also full of new poetry and fiction, with a Summer Writing Week currently taking place.

 The last couple of months have been busy, and at times tiring, but I feel I have achieved a lot. I am looking forward to the next stage of my life, and will definitely make room for writing and creativity in it.

 Thanks to everyone who has supported me.

 Liz x

Creative Future Literary Awards

 Hello!

 I was delighted to learn that I was shortlisted for the 2018 Creative Future Literary Awards, which had the theme of "Chemistry".

 This is very encouraging news, and I hope to continue entering competitions. Congratulations to the winners!

 Liz x

The Poetry Business New Poets Prize

 Hello!

 It is lovely and very encouraging to learn that I was shortlisted for The Poetry Business's 2017/18 New Poets Prize. I look forward to entering more competitions in the future.

 Congratulations to the winners!

 Liz x

Students' Union Awards 2018

 Hello!

 You may remember my article "What I learnt from starting a literary journal", which I wrote for The Mancunion. In it, I tell the story of how I founded and developed Foxglove Journal, and I encourage readers to follow their own dreams.

 I am very happy that the article was shortlisted for Best Article, in the Media Awards section of the 2018 Students' Union Awards.

 I was also shortlisted for Best Placard in the Communities Awards section, with the placard I made for the Reclaim the Night march. You can see its two sides above. It sadly disappeared after the march - if you have any idea where it could be, please let me know.

 Congratulations to everyone who was shortlisted or a winner at the Awards. For me this was a great way to celebrate my six years of studying at the University of Manchester, writing for The Mancunion and taking part in community projects.

 Thanks to everyone who has supported my writing, art and other creative missions. I am very excited to see what the future will hold.

 Liz x