THE DAY’S PROGRAMME
Poetry Redacted
Uncovering new themes and voices amongst familiar words
10.30 - 12.00 (coffee/tea from 10.00am).
For 8 - 10 places - £10
The Testimony She Never Gave – Bringing hidden histories to life - a workshop for writers
2.30 - 4.30pm
For 8 - 10 places - £15
5.00 - 5.30 Tea & cake with Dreena, who will read extracts from her new book, Perotine, reading/signing.
FREE event
Published by Blue Ormer Books
A powerful new novel, inspired by the true story of The Guernsey Martyrs.
It’s 1556. Perotine is abandoned, faithful – and on trial for heresy.
On a bleak autumn morning in 1555, Protestant Perotine wakes to find her husband packed to leave. Catholicism has returned to Guernsey, and, fearing for his life, he abandons Perotine, her sister and mother to face increasing hostility alone.
The three women endure a challenging winter of rain, isolation, and poverty – until a dramatic series of events draws unwanted attention. When a local woman asks Perotine to hide stolen goods, what begins as a trial for theft spirals into accusations of heresy.
Secluded, steadfast, and terrified, the women face their plight with fortitude and prayers. Together. But Perotine Massey holds a terrible secret. One that could bring a reprieve . . .
Dreena explains how she came to write Perotine:
I was studying for a PhD (that I have yet to finish). The topic was the representation of witchcraft in Elizabethan and Jacobean drama. Although The Guernsey Martyrs were not witches, and their prosecution happened a few years earlier, I came across an image of them. I was struck by the pain and cruelty of their story.
Being from the Channel Islands myself, I was amazed I hadn’t heard the tale before (and still, to this day, the vast majority of those I speak to are unaware). The story of these women – Perotine, Guillemine, and Catherine – has stayed with me ever since.
For this day of workshops and a peek into her new novel, Perotine, Dreena is making the long journey back to Wales where she lived for several years before returning to her native, Jersey.
Workshop 1 - Poetry Redacted
Uncovering new themes and voices amongst familiar words
Find new poems and explore this unique form in a hands-on and accessible session. If you love to experiment with words, art forms - or both - this session is for you.
Poetry Redacted is the process of producing a new piece from an existing text by erasing words and highlighting those that speak to you.
In this 90 minute session, we will experiment with readymade texts, shifting subjects and voices along the way to create something of our own.
No previous experience or knowledge of poetry is necessary. Participants are encouraged to bring at least two copies of any text that they wish to use, but samples will also be provided on the day.
10.30 - 12.00 (coffee/tea from 10.00am).
For 8 - 10 places - £10
The Testimony She Never Gave – Bringing hidden histories to life - a workshop for writers
‘History is written by the victors,’ and stories of the rich and powerful still dominate within historical fiction, often reflecting the sources they use.
But extraordinary things can happen to 'ordinary' people, and their tales are often equally powerful - and more relatable.
So how do we create a voice for those whose tales have been recorded at one remove?
This session introduces practical techniques, using extracts and guided writing exercises in a low-pressure environment. We will explore how to bring lost voices out of the margins and onto the page - and why it's important that we do so.
2.30 - 4.30pm
For 8 - 10 places - £15
5.00 - 5.30pm
Tea, cake & book signing
Dreena Collins reads from Perotine
FREE event - event in English
Dreena Collins
Dreena Collins was born in Jersey, Channel Islands. She has a background in teaching, education leadership, and Educational Needs.
She currently works in a management role for a charity. Alongside this, she provides author services (such as coaching and tutoring) – and writes!
Dreena’s stories and poetry have been featured in Mslexia magazine, FlashBack Fiction, 101 Words, Paragraph Planet, The Cabinet of Heed, and many others. She has been shortlisted and longlisted in numerous writing competitions, including the internationally celebrated Bath Flash Fiction Award, and The Bridport Prize.In the mid-1990s,