Adventures in geek creativity: writing, poetry, comedy, performance and making stuff.
It's a very freaky May isn't it? The sun is shining/it's hailing/it's minus 3 in the Highlands. Hello! How are you? I've been doing lots of writing, editing, reading and watching Game of Thrones. My garden is beginning to feed me with rhubarb, spinach, rocket and lambs lettuce. That's half a nice salad at least.
I'm waiting for a new date for the launch of the collaborative novel I'm, Vicious Circle which has been delayed. don't worry - it's coming.
In March I spoke at a BSFA event with Duncan Lawie and Dave Hutchinson in advance of the BSFA Awards ceremony which happened on Easter Sunday. I got to meet George RR Martin and sat on his iron throne!
George RR Martin also presented the Best Novel Award to the winner, Christopher Priest. I think all the winners really loved their trophies which were made by the amazing artists Lauren Hubbard and Dan Brodie from Skulls and Robots right here in Northampton!
And I won Just a Minute on the Friday as well!
A little bit of politics...like many people these days I am a bit chuffed off with supermarkets for various reasons. So, I've given them up...all of them. I'm not even nipping into Waitrose to grab a free Weekender and nipping out again (easiest crosswords ever!). This endeavour began on March 1st and as of May, we are also carless, which means we have to be even more super-organised than ever. I'm hoping to keep this up for at least a year, so if you want to follow my progress, I am keeping a blog, but it's oh so exclusive, and to follow it, a bit convoluted.
What to do: head over to Livejournal. Create a profile. Follow me - wishus on my blog, Still Not Enough Rice Pudding. I'll follow you back... then you can read my friends-only posts under the tag - A Year Without Supermarkets. What a kerfuffle, you might think, but remember, part of the point is that convenience is bad for you! So there.
I am continuing to work with Northampton Museum and Art Gallery to put on the 1612: Northamptonshire Witch Trials exhibition in the People's Gallery from 21st July to 23rd September. Since moving to the town I realised that for many Northampton is all about the shoes, but we have a witch, er, rich history and 2012 marks the 400 year anniversary of the execution of 5 innocent people accused of witchcraft in the town, following a swathe of political and social unrest across the country that brought fear of sorcery to the fore in the population. If you come to the exhibition you will be able to learn all about this and how attitudes have changed. Plus, there will be a number of fringe events around the town commemorating the event with music, poetry, storytelling and drama, including Waking the Witch - a performance piece by me written specially for the festival. Check out Witchfest 2012 to keep up with all the news on that.
Fancy doing a bit of creative witchy writing yourself? I am running a workshop on Saturday June 2nd at Northampton Central Library from 2pm-4.30pm for all you potential poets and story-writers. We will be looking at some of the original writings following the 1612 trials and your responses could end up in the exhibition! The workshop is free, but you will need to bring a pound for refreshments. Book your place by emailing me at donnerscott at yahoo dot co dot uk.
I've also got a few character parts in Masque Theatre's production of The Arabian Nights from Mon, 30 July – Sat, 4 August. Performances are at 7.30 in The Abington Park House Courtyard. Open Sesame!
About Donna Scott...
A stalwart of the British science fiction scene, Donna Scott is an administrator for the British Science Fiction Association Awards as well as an in-demand editor at genre imprints. She has worked for the likes of Angry Robot Books, Solaris, Black Libraries, Games Workshop and Immanion Press as copy-editor and proofreader, enjoying the coolness of working with some of the greats and hot new stars of sf.
She is also co-editor of dark fantasy magazine Visionary Tongue, which was established in 1995 by fantasy writer Storm Constantine to help bring new writing to the fore and features prose, poetry, interviews and insights into the weird and wonderful world of creativity.
As first ever official Bard of Northampton, and regular MC of Northampton's premier new acts/new material comedy night, We are Most Amused at The Victoria, Donna has performed stand-up and poetry all over the UK, playing to crowds big and small, from pubs and arthouses to festival crowds. An MC and comic with a difference, Donna has been called upon to bring her warm, friendly musings and poetry to all sorts of events, including the BSFA Awards ceremony, Lyric Lounge, The Fishmarket Presents: Edinburgh Previews, various science fiction and fantasy conventions and Bite n'Write Food Bloggers' Conference.
" That's funny, Donna Scott. I forgot it was poetry after a while." Lewis Schaffer
"Donna Scott combines a lovable, zany persona with skillfully written material." Dave Thompson
"Donna Scott brought us back on the straight and narrow with an eloquently delivered set that went down well... worth seeing again." - The Comedy Cow, Milton Keynes
"I really enjoyed your set." Jamie Sutherland
Donna reached the semi-finals of Jongleurs Comedy Callback in 2009 and recently debuted her first half-show at Nottingham Comedy Festival with rising star, Ben Briggs. Most treasured comedy moment: when Sarah Millican said she'd nearly pissed herself at one of her gags.
Check out the 'Scribbles' page to see examples and links to many of Donna's published short stories, poems and articles.
