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VERVE POETRY @
BIRMINGHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL
SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2026

Further info below

Programme of VERVE POETRY events.

Young Poets Takeover: If you’re aged 25 or younger, bring a poem and arrive early to sign up for our open mic.

Featuring headline sets from Birmingham based British-Pakistani Young Poet Hala Qamar and Coventry former Foyles Young Poet Scarlet Timlett.

11 October 2026 at 11:00:00

200 Jennens Rd, Birmingham B4 7XR, UK

Info & Tickets

VERVE Patron Joelle Taylor in an extended solo performance from Maryville

Quite probably the best poetry performer of her generation, be mesmerised as Joelle reads and embodies a selection of poems from Maryville (Bloomsbury, 2025).

11 October 2026 at 14:45:00

200 Jennens Rd, Birmingham B7 4EJ, UK

Info & Tickets

VERVE Debutants: poets near the start of their journey.

Roma Havers, Ellora Sutton and special guest Rupinder Kaur Waraich with host Sabeen Chaudhury.

11 October 2026 at 13:15:00

200 Jennens Rd, Birmingham B7 4EJ, UK

Info & Tickets

VERVE HEADLINE EVENT: Mona Arshi, Sarah Howe, Rachel Long with host Jo Bell

Mona Arshi is back for the first time since 2017 reading from her PBS Autumn Choice, Mouth (Chatto, 2025). Joining Mona are Sarah Howe and Rachel Long.

11 October 2026 at 16:00:00

200 Jennens Rd, Birmingham B7 4EJ, UK

Info & Tickets

WORKSHOP: Portals, Time Travel & How to Slant and Disrupt Narrative with Rachel Long

Create poems rich with tension, resonance, and surprise. Expect to leave with a clutch of new poems that slant, disrupt and innovate.

11 October 2026 at 13:30:00

200 Jennens Rd, Birmingham B7 4EJ, UK

Info & Tickets

VERVE presents CRATE POETRY LIVE! Tyrone Houghton, Nafeesa Hamid, Bradley Taylor & Maddie.

Hosted by Paul Stringer, with open mic. Crate Poetry Live! Is a contemporary live poetry show in a TV studio style format.

11 October 2026 at 18:00:00

200 Jennens Rd, Birmingham B7 4EJ, UK

Info & Tickets

POETRY EVENTS AT BIRMINGHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL

SUNDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2026
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

THIS YEAR, VERVE POETRY is popping up at festivals across the region. Earlier in the year, we had a wonderful day at Ledbury Poetry Festival, and now we're delighted to be taking over one day at Birmingham Literature Festival too.


We'll be bringing our usual mix of stellar poetry stars, lively performance poetry, emerging voices and events for young people.
 

Huge thanks to Clive, Jonathan and the whole BLF team for gifting us the day and folding us into their brilliant programme.

VERVE Poetry Spoken Word Festival supported by ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND
VERVE Poetry Festival, Online Poetry Workshops, Poetry Book Shop, Poetry Publisher

VERVE POETRY & SPOKEN WORD FESTIVAL is an independent festival produced by VERVE POETRY PRESS.
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