Sidney & Eden hosts regular spoken word open mic for writers

The Spoken Word Group is an informal open mic group in Bristol for writing enthusiasts of all styles – from short story writers to poets, novelists to memoirists, and everyone in between.

Founded by Johanna Spiers and Jacqueline and Brian Inglis, the inaugural event took place in January 2023, and runs on the last Sunday of the month at popular Gloucester Road bar Sidney & Eden.

Spiers is a psychologist, novelist and short story writer, and 2022 winner of the prestigious Sansom Prize (for the highest placed local author entering the Bristol Short Story Prize).

Living in Bristol since 2016, in the intervening years she has become an active part of the city’s flourishing writing scene, and has spoken about her work at Clevedon Literary Festival.

The idea underpinning the regular open mic is to provide a warm and welcoming space in which to share a real diversity of work.

Readers are given five minutes each, and while there are those who perform regularly, every event features an array of new faces, too.

Eight people are booked in advance and there is capacity to sign up a further eight on the night.

“That way,” enthuses Spiers, “we know we’ve got readers, but we’re always keeping things fresh and spontaneous.”

Bristol24/7 is pleased to share two pieces of micro-fiction; 100 word stories, otherwise known as drabbles – from Spiers, and Jacqueline Inglis.

Erica’s Morning

That morning, everything felt different to Erica.

“What’s with this weather?” she asked her husband Lando, as he cooked her poached eggs.

“Dreary, isn’t it?” he sighed. “I sometimes think the rain will never stop.”

“Is this headline real?” she asked, opening the paper. “Piers Morgan won the general election?”

“Yes,” Lando said, shaking his head. “And Katie Hopkins is Home Secretary.”

“Are those my wrinkles?” Erica yelped, as her beloved helped her to the bathroom.

“’Fraid so,” he replied. “After all, you were out for 14 years.”

“On the whole,” said Erica, “I think I rather preferred the coma.”

Johanna Spiers

No Means No

Feeling Tom’s warm breath on the back of her neck Janey feigns sleep.

She’s had a difficult day with the kids and doesn’t want his attention.

Not now.

He nibbles her ear.

‘No, Tom,’ she murmurs and brushes him off.

But Tom, unused to being denied, snuggles closer into her and nuzzles her cheek.

‘I said no,’ she says, and pulls away.

Tom, more determined than ever, follows her across the bed and begins to knead her shoulders.

‘Tom, no!’

He doesn’t stop.

She rolls over and glares at him. ‘Tom, no, means no! You wretched cat. Now, go away!’

Jacqueline Inglis

The next Spoken Word Open Mic is at Sidney & Eden on March 24 at 8pm; sign up for a five minute spot at 7.30pm, or by reserving one of a limited number of advance spots via www.johannaspiers.com. The event is free and unticketed. Follow @JohannaSpiers or The Spoken Word Group for updates and reminders.

All photos: Brian Inglis

Read more: Johanna Spiers: Old Fish

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