Dear Friend of Gay’s the Word,
as staff at the shop begin to gear up for a busy Christmas period we’ve not only stocked-up on our wonderfully diverse range of books, film and cards but we’ve got something of a smile on our faces as Gay’s the Word will reach its milestone 35th anniversary in the early new year. So be sure to come along to Bloomsbury – perhaps to one of the fantastic events listed below – wish the shop well and browse your way to bookish bliss with our brilliant range of titles. And remember we can order and supply ANY in-print book – it doesn’t necessarily have to be an LGBT title – so put your orders through us either by e-mail sales@gaystheword.co.uk or by calling 0207 278 7654 – thank-you
Poetry EventAlex Dimitrov reads from ‘Begging For It’Maureen Duffy reads from ‘Environmental Studies’ Thursday Nov 28th, 7pm – £2 Entry
Venue: Gay’s the Word bookshop, 66 Marchmont Street London WC1N 1AB – Russell Square Tube As the nights begin to draw in Gay’s the Word bookshop warmly invites you to an evening of poetry with two uniquely brilliant poets.
Over from New York and coming to London especially for this reading, Alex Dimitrov will read from his ‘vital’ début collection, Begging for It.
Maureen Duffy, who will soon be celebrating her 80th birthday, will be reading from her latest ‘philosophical and powerful’ collection, Environmental Studies. Event entry £2, on the door – complimentary refreshments. Begging for It – Alex Dimitrov A coming-of-age debut collection exploring desire, longing, and growing up gay in AmericaIn his début collection of poems, Begging for It, Alex Dimitrov leads us through the streets, bridges, and bedrooms of New York City, sometimes as far away as Buenos Aires and Iceland, and as close as our own darkest corners. A Bulgarian immigrant, Dimitrov writes as both observer of and fervent participant in this “American Youth,” as his speakers navigate both the physical and emotional landscapes of desire, intimacy, and longing—whether for a friend, a lover, or a self, “Saint or stranger, I still recklessly seek you.” “…Dimitrov is that rarest of creatures, a true poet and a truly contemporary poet. Thank god he’s here.” —Michael Cunningham
Maureen Duffy – Environmental Studies
Centred on environments – human, insect and animal – some experienced personally, some observed, some imagined. Though strictly contemporary in her concerns, she reaches back in her poetry to childhood, and beyond that in her imagination to cultural figures of the past – John Donne, Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams, bringing them lucidly and vividly to life.
There is a strong sense of compassion and fair play in her poems, reflecting Duffy’s lifelong support for progressive social and political movements, and a beautiful lyricism and technical skill derived from her love of the classical world and Old and Mediaeval English. As so often in her work, London past and present provides the backdrop to her real and imagined life stories: of love and loss, forebears and friends, the humorous and sometimes painful experiences of old age.
‘Maureen Duffy deserves serious acclaim as a poet, as much as an original novelist.’ – Elaine Feinstein, The Times
Event entry £2 – complimentary refreshments. Please RSVP on Gay’s the Word’s Facebook Events Page http://on.fb.me/19uv1Rc (or just show up!) Doors 7pm!
The week following St. Andrew’s Day Gay’s the Word is delighted to be hosting this Scottish first fiction event. The audience will be treated to readings from Scottish LGBT historian Bob Cant – reading from his debut novel ‘Something Chronic’ – and author Kerry Hudson, 2013 finalist for Scottish Book of the Year for her impressively titled novel ‘Tony Hogan Bought Me an Ice-cream Float Before He Stole My Ma’.
Gay’s The Word Bookshop
66, Marchmont Street
London
WC1N 1AB
Tel: 0207 278 7654
www.gaystheword.co.uk