Little Bird - An Evening of Story, Journey & Live Drumming

A unique author evening with Claire Buttrum. A guided journey, live shamanic drumming, and readings from her novella, Little Bird. Join author and somatic therapist, Claire Buttrum, for an extraordinary evening to celebrate the launch of Little Bird , a novella about neurodivergence, family, and the children we don't see. This is not a conventional author event. The evening opens with a short breath and movement practice before Claire leads the room into a guided shamanic journey, accompanied by live drumming from Thomas Marty (Core Shamanism, Cambridge). Guests will meet the characters of Little Bird and as a special bonus, Wren, in their own imagination, entering the world of the books before a single word is read aloud. Claire will then speak about why she wrote the books, her story as a somatic therapist, dancer and author, the neurodivergence at the heart of the narrative, and the philosophy behind Bright Raven Press. The evening ends with readings from Little Bird and from Wren, a short story accompanied by Thomas's live drumming, shaped around the narrative as it moves. Signed copies of Little Bird will be available to purchase on the night. The evening includes: • Breath and movement opening • Guided shamanic journey with live drumming • Talk: why I wrote the books • Readings from Little Bird and Wren • Signed copies available • Tea and conversation to close About Little Bird Little Bird is a novel about a neurodivergent 14 year old girl, her invisible younger brother, and the family caught between them. Written by a practising somatic therapist with lived experience of the ND world, it explores the medical model, misdiagnosis, and the siblings who fall through the gaps, with music woven through every chapter. About Claire Buttrum Claire Buttrum is a somatic therapist, dancer and author based in Cambridgeshire. Little Bird is her first novella, published by Bright Raven Press. About Thomas Marty Thomas Marty is a Core Shamanism practitioner based in Cambridge. He will drum throughout the guided journey and for the live reading of Wren, with the drumming shaped specifically around the narrative. And as a special bonus, Claire will read Wren, inspired by the song Hunting the Wren by Lankum. About Wren Wren is a short mythic story of survival, wildness and voice. Set in a world of mist, moorland and ancient folklore, it follows Wren — a young woman marked by beauty she never asked for, raising her younger siblings alone on a hillside. Cast out by her father she is hunted by the village boys who fear and desire her in equal measure. Drawing on Celtic myth and the old tale of the wren as the king of all birds, it is a story about what it means to be seen only as a surface, to carry the weight of other people's projections, and to find, in the end, that your own voice is the thing that sets you free. Wren will be read live at the September event, accompanied by Thomas Marty's drumming — the music shaped around the story as it moves from pursuit to flight to freedom. Sharing the Love for Little Bird Claire- I have just devoured your book in one sitting. So powerful and emotional and raw. It is very very good- and will shine a light on a much misunderstood situation that, unhappily, is far too common in our current world. I know this book will help many so many people - whether through direct resonance or by educating them about something they could not previously imagine. You’ve captured the utter pain, fear, despair, frustration, love and hope that existed in Little Bird’s family in a language that I found compelling to read. I’m so honoured to be one of the first people to read this 🙏 and you know I will share it with others ❤️ From Jo, reader and ADHD Women's Group facilitator.