Metaphors for a Black Future 2022: A day gathering for Black writers

This gathering aims to give us space and time to meet and connect with other Black writers, artists and creatives based in Scotland. If you don’t consider yourself a writer but enjoy writing, this space is also for you. It will be a day of creation, creative play/experimentation, care and relationships.

We will be joined by prize winning writer and judge Irenosen Okojie, who will lead us in a workshop exploring metaphysical speculative works to spark creative responses. In this interactive session, there will be exercises, sharings and feedback.

There will be something for writers at all stages, whether you’re new to writing, already working on a project or keen to pick up after a break, permission is given to play beyond the limits of imagination.

You will also have the opportunity to be inducted into CCA’s Publication Studio, a book printing and binding resource, which following your induction, you will gain access to for future use.

We will finish the day with a delicious meal and time to continue our conversations.

Please note, to attend, you must be:

• Based or living in Scotland
• Black/from the African and/or Caribbean diaspora (including mixed heritage)
• A writer or interested in being a writer, or have a creative writing practice

Tickets are free/by donation and include:

• Induction to the Publication Studio (optional)
• A speculative writing workshop with Irenosen Okojie
• Beverages, light refreshments, snacks and one meal (dinner)
• Space and time to meet and connect with Black writers/artists/creatives based in Scotland

Schedule

11am - 1pm: inductions to the Publication Studio (optional)

1pm - 6pm: arrivals and introductions, writing workshop, including breaks and refreshments

6pm - 7pm: dinner

Please make sure you read any emails we send you so you are aware of any schedule changes.

Covid precautions

- We require everyone to take a lateral flow test within 24 hours of the event starting. (We can reimburse the cost of your test. Please see the Access section below.)

- The room will be ventilated including open windows (please bring layers)

- We may ask everyone to wear masks if requested by a participant

Access

Before participating in this event, please note the following:

- Free tickets (up to 25 tickets)
- Quiet area provided
- CCA Access and Visitor information - includes accessible and gender
neutral toilets, lift access, Contact Scotland BSL (enquiries), hearing
loop, noise cancelling headphones, sensory materials.
- CCA Virtual Tour (we will be in the Clubroom)
- BSL translators on request
- Travel bursaries within Scotland
- Childcare/carer bursaries (typically up to £60 per day)
- Covid lateral flow test cost reimbursed (up to £9)
- Accommodation if needed, e.g. travelling long distances/over 3 hours
or a disability requirement

Please state your access requirements on the booking form

This event will not be hybrid/digital. The majority of our programme
year-round is digital, including our monthly Black Writers Group.

Questions? Email scottishbpocwriters@gmail.com.

About the organisers

Irenosen Okojie

Irenosen Okojie is a Nigerian British author whose work pushes the boundaries of form, language, and ideas. Her novel Butterfly Fish, short story collections Speak Gigantular and Nudibranch have won and been shortlisted for multiple awards. Her writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Observer, The Guardian and The Huffington Post. Vice Chair of the Royal Society of Literature, she won the 2020 AKO Caine Prize for her story, Grace Jones. She is the co-presenter of the BBC's Turn Up For The Books podcast alongside Simon Savidge and Bastille frontman, Dan Smith. She has been a judge for various prizes including the Dylan Thomas Prize, The Gordon Burn Prize as well as the BBC National Short Story Award. She is a Contributing Editor for The White Review. Her work has been optioned for the screen. In 2021 she was awarded an MBE For Services To Literature.

Metaphors For A Black Future Curator

Martha Adonai Williams is a writer, facilitator, producer, community organiser, black feminist and friend. Her practice departs to and returns from black feminist world-making, always, with regular layovers in front of trash tv or at the allotment. Her work considers the wilderness and margins as sites of resistance, refusal and homecoming. She works with writing and storytelling as therapeutic tools and as methods for community building.

In partnership with Scottish BPOC Writers Network

Scottish BPOC Writers Network (SBWN) is an advocacy group connecting Scottish BPOC writers with the wider literary sector in Scotland, facilitating necessary conversations around inclusive programming, delivering a programme of BPOC-led events and providing an online community for BPOC (Black people, People of Colour) writers based in or from Scotland.

SBWN Contacts: Jeda Pearl Lewis and Titilayo Farukuoye scottishbpocwriters@gmail.com