A Writer in Residence Event: Open Mic 2025 In brief Date - 31 January 2025Venue - Project Room 1.06, 50 George SquareReaders - Janette Ayachi (poet and MSc Creative Writing graduate), Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence, University of Edinburgh), and various student readers from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures About the eventThis event is a showcase of the creative writing talents on show throughout the University's student population. Featuring both undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, this open mic evening of poetry and prose readings will also see Janette Ayachi (MSc Creative Writing graduate and prolific Edinburgh-based poet) join the students in sharing selected pieces of their writing.The event is also another chance for students to find out more and think about the University's three Writing Prizes, which will be judged by Michael Pedersen. In engaging with fellow writers' work, they can hopefully find both motivation and inspiration to craft and submit a piece to one of the three Prizes.The students who will be reading are:Chanda Deenadayalan (Creative Writing MSc)Dakshika Cooray (Creative Writing MSc)James Bussell (Creative Writing MSc)Holly Castleton (Creative Writing MSc)Malika McKenney (English Literature and History MA Hons)Atlas Chambers (Creative Writing MSc)Hannah Salinas (Creative Writing MSc)Grace Calabria (Creative Writing MSc)Apoorva Saini (Creative Writing MSc)Jasmine Gibbs (Creative Writing MSc)Jannath Fazli (Creative Writing MSc)Find out more about the University's Writing PrizesAbout the guest readerJanette Ayachi is an Edinburgh-based Scottish-Algerian poet with a BA in Combined Honours in English Literature and Film & Media from the University of Stirling, and an MSc in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh. She has been published in nearly a hundred literary journals and a broad range of anthologies from presses such as Polygon, Seren, Jessica Kingsley London, Canongate and upcoming in Bloomsbury.She has been Digital Poet in Residence for The Poetry School London, and a Visiting Poet on a Teaching Residency for the students of Arcadia University in Philadelphia. In January 2022 she appeared with Edith Bowman on 'Burns Big Night In', recorded live for The National Trust for Scotland, and was a judge for The Edwin Morgan Prize and The Scottish Book Trust Awards in 2023.Her first full poetry collection 'Hand Over Mouth Music' won The Saltire Poetry Book of the Year Literary Award 2019. She is currently working on a her debut novel 'Of Sweet Figs and Forget-Me-Nots', and her travel memoir titled 'Lonerlust'.Visit Janette's websiteAbout the organiserMichael Pedersen is the Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh from September 2023 until June 2025, and the Edinburgh Makar from 2024 to 2027. His prose debut 'Boy Friends' was published by Faber & Faber in 2022 to rave reviews and was a Sunday Times Critics Choice. A recipient of the Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship, his third poetry collection 'The Cat Prince' was published by Little Brown in 2023—the title poem of which was shortlisted for the Forward Prizes for Poetry. For over ten years he co-ran, curated and hosted the prize-winning literary production house Neu! Reekie!. His first novel, 'Muckle Flugga', is set to be published in May 2025.How to attendThis event is free to attend, and open to all.No registration is required - just come along!Are you interested in English Literature at Edinburgh?We offer a wide range of undergraduate programmes, taught masters, and research degrees, including a Masters by Research and a PhD. As an undergraduate, you will read works of literature written in English from around the world, and encounter a range of ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study.Our courses explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national, international and imperial cultures. Working with colleagues in LLC and across the wider University, we are able to support postgraduate research which crosses boundaries between languages and disciplines. Find out more about studying English Literature Jan 31 2025 17.45 - 18.45 A Writer in Residence Event: Open Mic 2025 The second open-mic evening of poetry and prose organised by Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence, University of Edinburgh) featuring readings from students across the School, as well as a special guest reading from Janette Ayachi, an MSc Creative Writing graduate and prolific poet. Project Room 1.06 50 George Square University of Edinburgh EH8 9LH Find the venue: 50 George Square
A Writer in Residence Event: Open Mic 2025 In brief Date - 31 January 2025Venue - Project Room 1.06, 50 George SquareReaders - Janette Ayachi (poet and MSc Creative Writing graduate), Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence, University of Edinburgh), and various student readers from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures About the eventThis event is a showcase of the creative writing talents on show throughout the University's student population. Featuring both undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, this open mic evening of poetry and prose readings will also see Janette Ayachi (MSc Creative Writing graduate and prolific Edinburgh-based poet) join the students in sharing selected pieces of their writing.The event is also another chance for students to find out more and think about the University's three Writing Prizes, which will be judged by Michael Pedersen. In engaging with fellow writers' work, they can hopefully find both motivation and inspiration to craft and submit a piece to one of the three Prizes.The students who will be reading are:Chanda Deenadayalan (Creative Writing MSc)Dakshika Cooray (Creative Writing MSc)James Bussell (Creative Writing MSc)Holly Castleton (Creative Writing MSc)Malika McKenney (English Literature and History MA Hons)Atlas Chambers (Creative Writing MSc)Hannah Salinas (Creative Writing MSc)Grace Calabria (Creative Writing MSc)Apoorva Saini (Creative Writing MSc)Jasmine Gibbs (Creative Writing MSc)Jannath Fazli (Creative Writing MSc)Find out more about the University's Writing PrizesAbout the guest readerJanette Ayachi is an Edinburgh-based Scottish-Algerian poet with a BA in Combined Honours in English Literature and Film & Media from the University of Stirling, and an MSc in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh. She has been published in nearly a hundred literary journals and a broad range of anthologies from presses such as Polygon, Seren, Jessica Kingsley London, Canongate and upcoming in Bloomsbury.She has been Digital Poet in Residence for The Poetry School London, and a Visiting Poet on a Teaching Residency for the students of Arcadia University in Philadelphia. In January 2022 she appeared with Edith Bowman on 'Burns Big Night In', recorded live for The National Trust for Scotland, and was a judge for The Edwin Morgan Prize and The Scottish Book Trust Awards in 2023.Her first full poetry collection 'Hand Over Mouth Music' won The Saltire Poetry Book of the Year Literary Award 2019. She is currently working on a her debut novel 'Of Sweet Figs and Forget-Me-Nots', and her travel memoir titled 'Lonerlust'.Visit Janette's websiteAbout the organiserMichael Pedersen is the Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh from September 2023 until June 2025, and the Edinburgh Makar from 2024 to 2027. His prose debut 'Boy Friends' was published by Faber & Faber in 2022 to rave reviews and was a Sunday Times Critics Choice. A recipient of the Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship, his third poetry collection 'The Cat Prince' was published by Little Brown in 2023—the title poem of which was shortlisted for the Forward Prizes for Poetry. For over ten years he co-ran, curated and hosted the prize-winning literary production house Neu! Reekie!. His first novel, 'Muckle Flugga', is set to be published in May 2025.How to attendThis event is free to attend, and open to all.No registration is required - just come along!Are you interested in English Literature at Edinburgh?We offer a wide range of undergraduate programmes, taught masters, and research degrees, including a Masters by Research and a PhD. As an undergraduate, you will read works of literature written in English from around the world, and encounter a range of ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study.Our courses explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national, international and imperial cultures. Working with colleagues in LLC and across the wider University, we are able to support postgraduate research which crosses boundaries between languages and disciplines. Find out more about studying English Literature Jan 31 2025 17.45 - 18.45 A Writer in Residence Event: Open Mic 2025 The second open-mic evening of poetry and prose organised by Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence, University of Edinburgh) featuring readings from students across the School, as well as a special guest reading from Janette Ayachi, an MSc Creative Writing graduate and prolific poet. Project Room 1.06 50 George Square University of Edinburgh EH8 9LH Find the venue: 50 George Square
Jan 31 2025 17.45 - 18.45 A Writer in Residence Event: Open Mic 2025 The second open-mic evening of poetry and prose organised by Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence, University of Edinburgh) featuring readings from students across the School, as well as a special guest reading from Janette Ayachi, an MSc Creative Writing graduate and prolific poet.
