Out of the Fire – CPW and Fine Art Student Anthology launch

Wednesday 8th June 2011, 18:30–21:00, The Sir Colin Campbell Building

Out of the Fire is the new publication from CPW and Fine Art students featuring contemporary poetry, fiction and artwork. Contributors vary from school-leavers to mature students, from newcomers to the creative industries to writers and artists who have already had some success.

The Anthology is a student-led enterprise, which provides an opportunity for Creative and Professional Writing students to submit their work for publication and performance at associated events running throughout the year.  In the autumn of 2009 a group of CPW and Fine Art students decided to publish an anthology of their own work, produced to a professional standard. The 2010 anthology – 'Into the River' – was the result.  The launch event was a great success, attended by over 120 people. Digital editions followed, published on the School of Education’s website.

The anthology is not only a showcase for student work, it enables students to gain first-hand experience of the process of taking pieces of work from ideas and first drafts to final publication. The project team have selected and edited writing and artwork, designed the book and typeset its contents, organised the launch event, managed the finances and marketed the whole project.

Experience and skills acquired during the project have proved invaluable to everyone concerned. As Grant Kent, 2011 editor, says: ‘I went into this project completely unprepared and overwhelmed. I’m now a published author, and I have a foundation on which, hopefully, big things will be built in future endeavours.’

This year, under a new editor and with the generous support of the Annual Fund and the School of Education, the anthology is bigger and better, setting the trajectory for even greater success in the future. The launch event will feature performances from Out of the Fire.

Refreshments will be provided and copies of the anthology can be purchased on the night.