Writers Forum

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Writers Forum is a small publisher, workshop and writers' network established by Bob Cobbing. [1] The roots of Writers Forum were in the 1954 arts organisation Group H, and the And magazine that Cobbing edited.[2] The writers' branch of Group H were called Writers Forum.[3] In 1963 a press with the publishing imprint 'Writers Forum' was begun and administrated by Cobbing, John Rowan and Jeff Nuttall.[4] Between 1963 and 2002 Writers' Forum published more than one thousand pamphlets and books including works by John Cage, Allen Ginsberg, Brion Gysin, and P. J. O'Rourke, as well as a wide range of British Poetry Revival modernist poets, such as Eric Mottram, Bill Griffiths, Geraldine Monk, Maggie O'Sullivan and Sean Bonney.[5] While publishing was integral to the Cobbing-led workshop, it also provided an opportunity for poets to read their works in a supportive and non-critical environment.

After Cobbing's death Writers Forum was directed by Lawrence Upton and Adrian Clarke until July 2010, when Clarke resigned.[6] Since early July 2010, Writers Forum has been directed by Lawrence Upton with assistance from others. Tina Bass was appointed Assistant Director in December 2010. Writers Forum continues to hold workshops and to publish. The magazine "And" ceased in 2010; but "Pocket Litter" was started in 2011.

A break off "Writers Forum (second series)" workshop was founded in 2010, which, though having similarities in stated aims, is not supported by Writers Forum.[7] Organisations with similar names in Chile and Australia are recognised

References

  1. Sheppard, Robert (7 October 2002). "Obituary: Bob Cobbing | Books | The Guardian". The Guardian (London: GMG). ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  2. Richard Caddel, Peter Quartermain (1999). "Other: British and Irish poetry since 1970". Wesleyan University Press. p. xxiv. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  3. Days in the Life: Voices from the English Underground, 1961-1971, Jonathon Green, (Heinemann 1988), page 57.
  4. Poetry Wars, British Poetry of the 1970s and the Battle of Earls Court, Peter Barry (Salt Publishing, 2006). Foreword by Andrew Motion
  5. http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/pdfs/writersforumpublications.pdf
  6. "About Writers Forum « Writers Forum Information". wfuk.org.uk. 2012 [last update]. Retrieved 18 February 2012. 
  7. Upton, Lawrence (2012 [last update]). "Writers Forum". wfuk.org.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2012. 

Further reading

  • British Poetry Magazines 1914-2000: A History and Bibliography of "Little Magazines", David Miller and Richard Price (British Library UK & Oak Knoll Press USA, 2006)

External links

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