For the June 2022 edition of his In a Manner of Speaking podcast, Paul Meier welcomes the “Bard of Bath,” Kevan Manwaring. The two discuss the ancient Bardic Tradition and how it is still relevant and powerful today.
Dr. Manwaring, senior lecturer in creative writing at Arts University Bournemouth, in England, is the author of more than two dozen books (both novels and non-fiction) but is probably best known as the author of The Bardic Handbook: the Complete Manual for the 21st Century Bard (Gothic Image, 2006). Since becoming “Bard of Bath” in 1998 (when he won the competition for the best storyteller, poet, or singer in the city), he has made the Bardic Tradition one of his research specialisms.
His additional books have explored both the theory and practice of being a modern-day bard. And thanks to his organizing and hosting of countless open-mic nights, spoken-word showcases, symposia, festivals, workshops, and courses (plus his numerous media appearances, such as live storytelling on BBC Breakfast TV, academic consultant for BBC 4’s The Secret Life of Books, and panel guest on BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking), he has forged a distinctive approach over the last two decades and more. His current focus is primarily within higher education, empowering future wordsmiths alongside his own creative-critical practice. He blogs and tweets as the “Bardic Academic.”
For more information on Kevan, visit http://kevanmanwaring.co.uk/.
(Bach’s Cello Suite #1 in G Major BMV 1007 Prelude (by Ivan Dolgunov) is courtesy of Jamendo Licensing.)
