Hello you late-summer eggs!
It’s been a funny old lockdown/not-lockdown time, hasn’t it? It feels like a lot’s happening while a lot sort of isn’t happening, doesn’t it? Here are some things we’ve been up to while wishing we were Rose&Clouding without flaunting Covid guidelines:
~ Emily has been keeping the WordCraft vibes alive with co-founder Chris Wilson. It’s been going ahead every month of the pandemic, but online, so submitting videos or doing a Facebook Live to their event pages has been the order of the month. The attendance and participation has been lovely, and has kept the love going in such a way that is typical WordCraft.
~ John has been steadily doing his ‘John MacLeod’s LP Helpline’ on BBC Radio Stoke - a segment on Lucas Yeomans’ show on Tuesdays where he recommends an album to the unsuspecting listeners. He’s also been throwing the occasional acoustic set into the ether, either via his Instagram page or on his Attack Of The Vapours Facebook page.
~ It’s entirely plausible that the pictures in this blog post give the game away about the big news, but last month Verve Poetry Press announced the roster for their 2021 releases, and it’s immensely exciting to tell you that Emily will be published by Verve in September next year! As Emily said on her Facebook page: “So, this is happening. I don't really have words for it. To be amongst a selection of poets like this is staggering, daunting and pretty bloody exciting - Verve Poetry Press, I cannot thank you enough.” The full roster is towards the bottom of this post - check it out!
We hope you’re keeping okay in these times that get no less confusing. It seems to be hitting a point that people are finding far, far harder than it was in the beginning. What can we say, except keep being mindful of others as well as yourself, try not to let the swirling insecurities win if you’re feeling unseated, and never be afraid to reach out and tell people if you’re struggling.
We sorely miss being able to step out and perform (or even rehearse, but hopefully that might change soon). We’re feeling the pangs, it has to be said, but it only means that when we’re back together with a microphone and guitars to hand, that it’s going to be fun, and it’s going to be emotional.
Look after yourselves.
R&C xx
