Writing and performance CV Emma Purshouse is a lively, original performance poet, workshop facilitator, stand up comedienne and published writer. She holds degree level qualifications in both Creative Writing and English.
Education
2000 - 2003 Manchester Metropolitan University
MA in Creative Writing (Novel Route)
1996 - 1997 Cannock Chase College
Further and Adult Education Teacher's Certificate
1990 - 1994 Wolverhampton University
B.A. Hons English
Performance Poetry
Venues since October 2001 include: Barlow Theatre, The Orange Studio, Bantock Park Library Theatre, Bloxwich Library Theatre, Wolverhampton's City Voices, Lighthouse Cinema, Manchester Metropolitan University, Wolverhampton Central Library, Wolverhampton Art Gallery (International Women's Week), The Gateway in Shrewsbury (supporting poet and novelist Sophie Hannah), Birmingham's Six of the Best, Swindon Festival of Literature, Warwick Words, Cheltenham Festival of Literature, Word-up in Cardigan, London’s Whitechapel Gallery, Guest Poet on The Apples and Snakes ‘Things That Can’t Be Said’ Tour, Radio 4 Slam (regional heats), Audlem Music Festival, Middlewich Folk Festival, Ledbury Poetry Festival.
Workshop Leader
Groups lead since 2002 include Wednesfield Writers with Talent and Reans Writers (children's poetry), Bilston Writers Group, Women Who Write, Family Dyslexia Group, ImageTextImage cross-generational workshops, various reminiscence projects, healthy eating writing project (youth groups), schools work for Birmingham Book Festival’s ‘Write On’ project.
Mentoring
Coaching and support for beginner writers of all ages.
Stand up Comedy
Venues include Wolverhampton Varsity, Stourbridge Town Hall
Bridgnorth's Cinnamon Café, Manchester's Comedy Balloon, The Holly Bush in Cradley Heath.
Publications and Prizes
Short stories and poetry published in various anthologies and small press magazines, including Raw Edge, Fire, Wolverhampton Write Now.
•
Winner of the Wolverhampton City Arts Festival Poetry Competition 2002
• Winner of the 4th Annual Solihull Slam
• Two poems shortlisted for the Belmont Poetry Prize 2005 (children’s poetry)
• Joint winner of the Warwick Slam 2006
• 2nd place Cheltenham Festival of Literature UK All Stars Slam 2006
• Highly commended in the Belmont Poetry Prize 2007 (children’s poetry)
• Winner of ‘Write the Future’ writing competition (Waterstones/Central Libraries)
• Winner of the Big Bilston Love Slam 2009
• 2nd place Ledbury Poetry Festival Slam 2009
Residencies
Wolverhampton Libraries' poet in residence 2006/2007
New Vic Theatre, Stoke on Trent - Birthday Poet Residency October 2007
Other
A founder member of Imagetextimage, a group of writers and artists who collaborate to produce images influenced by poetry and poetry influenced by images. Exhibitions have taken place at Wolverhampton's Eagle Works, Harbourne Gallery, Wolverhampton's Light House. Examples of the work produced and information about future exhibitions can be seen and heard on the group's website: www.imagetextimage.com
‘A circle drawn at random’ - collaboration with photographer David Rann
(You Tube).
Script Writer for ‘Wrosne’. The Wrosne Project took place over a period of twelve months in Dudley (2007 – 2008). The Leaps & Bounds team used a unique programme of personal intervention and development, one-to-one pastoral support, and professional quality arts activity to help 60 young people turn around their own lives and that of their local community which culminated in a week of sell out performances, deep underground in spaces that the audiences accessed by boat!
Employment
Currently free-lancing as a performance poet, writer, stand-up comedienne and workshop facilitator.
