This is an important and timely collection of work by six of the very best poets who are part of or who have arisen from the extraordinary vibrant poetry scene in this part of the South of England. And although their work is all very different, and the book is called ‘New’ Southampton Poets’, these poets have already won Regional and National Awards for their work, or have books out, and perform in London and at Festivals across the South.

There’s the hilarious UK Anti Slam Award Winner (2017) Stewart Taylor, the very clever and highly engaging works of both Damian O’Vitch who was Finalist in the UK National Poetry Slam (2016 & 2018) and of Dave Hubble who is one of the Winners of the Bread & Roses Poetry Award (2019). There is the very powerful, personal and passionate work of Angelia Saplan who has been published in the US (whom we hope to livestream from the US). And the elegant, considered and quietly moving work of Kayleigh O’Reilly and of Andy Buchanan who have both been published in the UK, and his writing has also been published and translated in English, Mandarin Chinese and Korean.

So no matter what kind of poetry you like there is something for all tastes. And this is just a really wonderful opportunity to see such good work by six different poets in the one book and in the one performance. Supported by Arts Council England.