Spoken Label

Latest Spoken Label Podcast is from the wonderful Jenn Ashton, author of "People like Frank and other stories from the edge of normal" 

The book is described as "A young woman in a group home investigates a mysterious piece of knitting. An obsessed bag boy does grim battle with a squirrel. A woman, an asparagus bag and a garbageman have a tumultuous short-term relationship.

In the tradition of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Room and If I Fall, If I Die, this uplifting collection explores the world through the eyes of protagonists whose perspectives are informed by their unique circumstances.

Some are struggling with physical challenges while others seek to overcome psychological barriers.

Far from being defined by their limitations, these characters revel in achievements others take for granted and find wonder in unexpected places. By celebrating the private triumphs of people who are all too often dismissed, Ashton reminds us all of our own humanity."

More about Jen can be found at:

http://jenniferashton.ca/WP/ (Her Art Website)

http://jenniferashton.ca/ (Her Writing Website)

.Latest Spoken Label Podcast features Claudia Clark, the author off "Dear Barack".

The book is described as "Dear Barack explores how the relationship between Barack Obama and Dr. Angela Merkel evolved from one of extreme apprehension to one of deep friendship and a partnership that captivated the world.

Dear Barack explains why Barack Obama’s and Dr. Angela Merkel’s partnership is so important to today’s world leaders – the transformation of their relationship exemplifies how it is possible for political adversaries to establish a bond of trust, respect, and even friendship."

More about the book can be found at: https://claudiaclarkauthor.com/

Latest Spoken Label is a chat with Manchester based actor, East 15 Graduate, co-founder of 'Quite Frankly Theatre, Jason Johns.

More about Jason can be found at:

https://twitter.com/jasonjohns98?lang=en (Twitter)

https://www.spotlight.com/4855-6720-3080 (Spotlight)

Latest up from Spoken Label is the lovely Hellena Jane, the author off “The Winter of Our Femininity”.

The book is described as “Dear reader, you may wonder why this girl should matter to you. You might besaying, why should I, dear narrator, care what this child dressed in women’s clothing does?Well, my dear reader, this girl will soon be dead. If you had twelve hours left oflife, what would you do? What mystic forces and players would you confront? But moreimportantly, most importantly, up most importantly, who would you be afraid of?This is a tale of a lonely girl in a depressing world with no real friends. By the end, her body will be cold and her heart will have been stopped. But what did it? Or more importantly, who did it? The last twelve hours of her life could hold the clues to solving it but only if you look close enough.An innocent bystander, convinced that the death has to mean something more. A professor, desperate to hide his secrets. A group of friends just angry enough to be pushed off the edge.Everyone has a motive. Everyone has reason. Everyone has secrets they want to hide.Hellena Jane’s debut novella paints a harsh portrait of society, and the pain lurking within it.”

The book can be purchased at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QS692ST?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860&fbclid=IwAR3pFhagsMVtt9ch8MUlY5xDmZOiKfgjHByPIG-oHhwD4TZmOLbsKQVcACk

https://www.thesundaytribune.com/2021/01/24/entering-the-winter-of-our-femininity-with-hellena-jane/(A recent feature at the Sunday Tribune)

Latest Spoken Label features the wonderful Paul Sutherland.

Poems read out in this session include:

1) my granddaughter battles the sea with a red plastic fork

2) on cola beach

3) special children in car - suzie tank

4) the earth orphaned birds

5) winter falls

More about Paul can be found at: 

https://www.authorpaulsutherland.com/

https://chaffinchpress.com/paul-sutherland-2/

https://www.valleypressuk.com/author/53/paul__sutherland#:~:text=Paul%20Sutherland%20was%20born%20in,countless%20anthologies%2C%20newspapers%20and%20periodicals.

Latest up from Spoken Label is the wonderful Heige Boehm, author of 'Secrets in the shadows'. Heige is described as "Heige's writing is influenced by the stories of her parents who grew up in Nazi Germany, and who at the end of the war, found themselves in East Germany. They escaped with their first two children to West Berlin in 1961, and Heige was born in Euskirchen West Germany on November 11, 1964. Ten years later the family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, where they lived at the Sylvia Hotel for the first few months. In 1983 her father was murdered in Texas. It was her desire to know his stories, and to understand him, that inspired the novel."  

Her book 'Secrets in the shadows' is described as" Secrets in the Shadows is the account of best friends Michael and Wolfie who are boys growing up in Nazi Germany. Both of them are excited to join the Hitler Youth. But by the time the boys are twelve, a devastating event turns their world upside down. On a school trip to Berlin, the boys see a beautiful Jewish girl boarding the train with her mother. Shortly after, a horrified Michael witnesses their brutal murder -- the result of anti-Semitism. As a result, Michael's loyalty to Hitler begins to show cracks. In 1943 when Michael turns sixteen, his father orders him to volunteer with the Waffen-SS. Wolfie joins him. Assigned to the Hitlerjugend 12th SS Panzer Division, they cope with the horrors of war, trying to keep one another alive the grim battlefields fighting hand-to-hand in the villages and towns, sometimes against the Canadians. Seeing what is happening on the battlefield, they come to reject the Nazi regime and its propaganda. In the final showdown, Michael and Wolfie are ordered to travel to Berlin, and it is there they confront the secrets that lie in the shadows of the past." 

More about Heige can be found at her website at: https://www.heigeboehm.ca/

Latest Spoken Label is from the wonderful Leeds based Freelance arts writer and poet, Susan Darlington.

Her debut collection, Under The Devil's Moon, is out via The Penniless Press.

More about Susan can be found at: https://twitter.com/s_sandarlington?lang=en

Poems read out in this session include:

1. The Cage

Latest Spoken Label session features a dear friend of Spoken Label, Randy Horton.

Randy's Website is:

https://somebodyfamous.co.uk/

Links of other performances etc can be found here

https://somebodyfamous.co.uk/about-me/

Probably meant to be ironic? (Randy's collection)

can be purchased on Amazon

(https://www.amazon.co.uk/Probably-Meant-Ironic-Randy-Horton/dp/171635725X)

Write & Release his night is on the second weds of the month. 7.30pm (UK time).

Their group on facebook is https://www.facebook.com/groups/2039272652995460

Poems read out in this session include: 

1. Standard Disclaimer

2. The risk of metaphor

3. The problem with irony

4. The band plays on

5. The other side of love 

Latest Spoken Label features the lovely Ayshen Irfan.

Ayshen is described on her website as "I'm Ayshen (pronounced I-shen), born-and-bred Brightonian, occult enthusiast, 

and author of the Scarlet Cherie: Vampire Series. 

Whilst I write urban fantasy, my penchant for magick and the paranormal is displayed throughout my work, 

toying with elements of life and death, light and darkness, and reality and the inconceivable in my work. 

As a practising Witch, I try to incorporate some elements of my beliefs and practice into my work, especially when 

it comes to writing about energy and intention of power."

Piece read:

The Fire Within My Heart (Extract) 

More about Ayshen can be found at: 

https://linktr.ee/ayshen

Latest Spoken Label featuring the powerful Denetta Copeland, known professionally as D3.

UK based spoken-word artist Denetta Copeland, known professionally as D3,  is a professional writer and 

musician with years' of experience in writing lyrics, poetry and prose. D3 is recognised for using unique 

lyrical approaches in rhyme as a form of storytelling. D3 writes and performs her own style of Ra-Poetry, 

whilst incorporating other genres into her sound, including; 

Hip Hop, House, Jungle and Drum’n’Bass and has performed her work across the UK over the past 11 years.

More about Denetta can be found at: 

https://www.d3creations.uk/

Pieces read out in this session include:

1. Check me out.

2. Contradictory information

3. Love is Blind

4. Nicole