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The Isle of Wight is a hub for talent, with a community facing unique challenges. It would be impossible to summarise the experiences of 140,000 people, so we're sharing their individual stories. Experiences that make Island the incredible place it is to live, work and create. Creative Island People, is a collection of stories from creatives, change makers, innovators and more. A celebration of our community and Island-isms.
The founder and mastermind behind Brevity, a 6-times yearly literary zine, the first of its kind on the Isle of Wight. Also, Writer in Residence at Boojum&Snark, turning everyday moments into expertly written short stories. Here's Anmarie Bowler.
I’m a short story writer as well as the founder and editor of Brevity, The Isle of Wight’s Literary Handbill, a 6-times yearly lit zine that’s been showcasing compelling short fiction from Island-based writers since 2019. It’s printed on a risograph in Sandown, and is supported by Arts Council England and Creative Island. Brevity was recently selected to be part of the Pagemasters Zine Fair in London.
The Isle of Wight inspires my work mightily. I’ve always listened to, or more accurately sought to overhear friends and strangers in the places I’ve called home. I find the everyday phrasing of everyday people lyrical, pointed, even muscular. I travel on buses, so I often write on buses, soaking up people who are like and unlike me.
I’m currently Writer in Residence at Boojum&Snark in Sandown, as part of the Sandown Scribe project. During the residency I’ve written a set of short stories that embody the joy and injustice of the town. I listened to the real stories of residents and peppered their emotions throughout the fiction I created. I felt driven to really see Sandown, and write my best for the people who live there.
The project also gave me the opportunity to work with a collective of Sandown-based writers, and together we’ve created a script entitled Radio Free Sandown – stay tuned.
This year as part of the CAN YOU HEAR US? celebration I was commissioned by Creative Island to write short fiction for the Isle of Wight Tarot, a set of cards that showcase the spirit of the Island through new, original illustrated fiction.
Since 2019 I’ve been writing short fiction about a cleaner of holiday lets in a coastal community. I’ve written in excess of 20 stories on the subject – some have appeared in Brevity over the years. And most recently they’ve been adapted into a play called Keeper that will likely debut in 2027. We’ve been workshopping the script at GRAFT Studios in Sandown, and the quality of acting is incredible. I feel like we’re building a company of committed theatre makers around the piece.
I also occasionally write about the world of my childhood in the American Midwest. I love the absurdity of suburban life, and the benevolent weirdos who were part of my upbringing in rural Ohio. I often weave together aspects of my early life in a small town, with oddities in the small community where I live now.
My husband and I moved to the Island from London in 2018, he’d been here as a kid. We visited together and decided it would suit us just fine.
The Island has undoubtedly supported my progress and helped me to grow my writing practice. I’ve been invited to be part of interesting projects, to collaborate with others and to create fiction with a point of view. When I’ve made a call out for writers or artists or other creatives to join my efforts, whatever those efforts might be, the call had been answered.
I’m writing from a good place and have recently had works of fiction accepted to literary publications in London, Europe and the US. Brevity has been embraced by Island readers and writers, and then recognised by mainland arts organisations. You take support where ever you can get it, but it feels especially good to have the backing of your local tribe.
Recently Rosie Wolfenden the Co-Founder of Tatty Devine made a really interesting argument for the Isle of Wight to become a test case for an arts basic income scheme. The economic benefits have been proven in Ireland. So, I’d like to see the scheme trialled here.
But generally anything I’d change about the Island I’d want to change everywhere. I want there to be a dynamic arts provision in all schools, I want our water to be clean and I’d like to see us approach both trans and immigrant issues with more compassion.
I wonder if young people need our advice or, do they simply need us to listen? But if they asked, I’d urge young people to start something. Anything. Make and distribute a zine, start a graphic novel book club, form a troupe that performs for people in care homes.
Establish a movement around anything you’re good at and invite others to join you. Start small, grow the movement at your own pace and don’t worry about setbacks. Learn as you go and enjoy the ride.
I’d like to shout about Tracy Mikich, Nicholas Dunn and John Bowler.
Tracy Mikich at Boojum & Snark is a brilliantly insightful creative producer. I don’t know anyone who conceives of such innovative and responsive projects. She has a knack for pulling artists and writers into engaging projects that really suit their skills. She’s incredibly supportive but demands quality, and forces you to think.
Nicholas Dunn is a short story writer in Ventnor. Whenever I see Nic’s made a submission to Brevity, I get excited. His fiction is often like a motorbike ride through a series of hairpin turns. The way he dismisses punctuation in favour of animated imagery and lively dialogue is a joy. He creates a superb narrative with a voice that’s entirely his own. I’m tempted to devote a whole issue of Brevity to just Nic’s work next year.
And props to John Bowler, the lino cut artist who makes the images for Brevity covers. He’s my husband, sure, but his ability to make a single image that speaks volumes, never ceases to amaze me.
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