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WORKSHOP YOU. YOU. YOU. The Lyric Address in Poetry Padraig O Tuama LOCATION BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME ABOUT THE EVENT TIME Sunday - 10am PRICE £24.50 / £18.50 Book Tickets Exploring the many voices of poetry: the art of YOU. A poem is a word event going in many directions at once. Sometimes the you of a poem is a specific person, other times it's the poet, other times it's a general audience, and still other times, there's no you at all, so the poem addresses itself to the world, or an unnamed and unsummoned character. In this talk, Padraig O Tuama will explore the direction, implication and inspiration contained in the lyric address in contemporary poetry. ABOUT THE POET Pádraig Ó Tuama’s poetry and prose centre around themes of language, power, conflict and religion. His work has won acclaim in circles of poetry, politics, psychotherapy and conflict analysis. His formal qualifications (PhD, MTh and BA) cover creative writing, literary criticism and theology. Alongside this, he pursued vocational training in conflict analysis, specialising in groupwork. His published work is in the fields of poetry, anthology, essay, memoir, theology and conflict. A new volume of poetry — Kitchen Hymns — is forthcoming from CHEERIO in mid 2024. Profiled in The New Yorker , Pádraig’s poems have been featured in Poetry Ireland Review, Academy of American Poets , Harvard Review, New England Review, Raidió Teilifís Éireann’s Poem of the Week , and the Kenyon Review. Pádraig has told stories at The Moth , has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, has presented programmes on poetry and language for BBC Radio 4; and has extended interviews with On Being , with Kim Hill on Radio NZ , and Soul Search on Radio National (Australia). In addition, he has interviewed poets and public figures including former President of Ireland Mary McAleese, Hanif Abdurraqib, The Edge, Sarah Perry, Joy Harjo, Billy Collins and Martin Hayes.

WE'VE GOT YOUR POEM/'S Thank you for sending us your poems! Victoria Kennefick will read all poems once the competition has closed on the 20th January 2026. If you are placed, commended or otherwise selected, we will contact you before the end of February 2026. Take care! VERVE x WRITE, CONNECT and GROW in our POETRY WORKSHOPS JOIN OUR SUBSTACK COMMUNITY DISCOVER BOLD, BRILLIANT POETRY IN OUR BOOKSHOP

THANKYOU! YOUR MEMBERSHIP IS CONFIRMED We are SO happy to welcome you as a VERVE member FOR LIFE! Your welcome email will follow shortly and will give you full details on how to claim your discount on all VERVE items going forwards. Your membership card and pin-badge will arrive in the post in the next few days. It's LOVELY to have you as part of our poetry communtiy. Take care! VERVE x WRITE, CONNECT and GROW in our POETRY WORKSHOPS JOIN OUR SUBSTACK COMMUNITY DISCOVER BOLD, BRILLIANT POETRY IN OUR BOOKSHOP

VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival 2025 – Poet Feedback Form Thank you for being part of VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival 2025! Your talent, energy, and words help shape this festival into a space of creative excellence and community. We are committed to improving the festival each year, and your feedback is invaluable in helping us do so This short survey will take about 5-10 minutes to complete. It focuses on your experience as a performer, the quality of the events and venues, the sense of community and inclusivity, and the long-term impact of the festival on your creative practice. Your responses will help us understand what worked, what could be improved, and how we can continue to make VERVE a meaningful, inclusive, and artistically inspiring festival. Thank you for your time and for sharing your thoughts with us! (For poets/performers at the festival) Overall Experience How would you rate your overall experience at VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival?* (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent) What did you enjoy most about performing, participating, or hosting at VERVE? Event & Venue Quality How would you rate the quality of the event(s) you performed in? * (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent) Further comments How would you rate the venue?* (1 = Poor, 5 = Excellent) Further comments Did you feel the venue was accessible and welcoming?* Yes No Somewhat Please elaborate. Community & Inclusivity How well did the festival foster a sense of community among poets and attendees?* 1 = Not at all, 5 = Extremely well) Further comments Did you feel the festival was inclusive and representative of diverse voices? * Yes No Somewhat Please elaborate How did the festival contribute to your sense of belonging in the poetry/spoken word community?* Creative & Cultural Impact Did performing at VERVE influence your creative practice?* Yes No Somewhat Please elaborate Has the festival inspired any new ideas, collaborations, or projects for you? * Yes No If yes, please provide insight. How do you think VERVE contributes to the wider literary/spoken word scene?* Feedback for Future Festivals What was your favourite event at the festival?* What did you dislike or think could be improved?* What would you like to see more of in future editions of VERVE? * (Types of events, themes, collaborations, etc.) Do you have any final thoughts or suggestions?* Next

The winning April poem for VERVE Poetry Festivals monthly poetry competition. RHIAN ELIZABETH APRIL POEM OF THE MONTH WINNER to the girl who said i’ll never be happy because i’m too picky you preferred orange juice to apple. this, i discovered, the morning after the night i had to sleep in the spare room because your breathing reminded me of my grandmother’s old fashioned kettle whistling in the kitchen whenever she made herself a cup of tea. after that, just to prove my unfastidious-ness, i took to bringing my own carton of apple juice round for breakfast, and even tried looking past the fact you never laughed at my leave the gun, take the cannoli joke when i handed you the bag of pastries in the italian bakery. who the fuck hasn’t seen the godfather? and who the fuck doesn’t know every single word to barbra streisand’s the way we were? i put up with a lot. oh, and by the way, i’d never dated someone shorter than me before i met you but i never looked down on you, not even for that. SHORTLIST Maria Taylor - Alternative Notes for a Love Poem Naomi Woods - 8 mins, 32 secs. Rob Walton - F Glorious F Kadie Newmen - Knock Out Coach Syd Meats - The Next Song on the Radio READ ALL SHORTLISTED ON OUR SUBSTACK The Winning Poet Rhian Elizabeth is a trainee counsellor and a writer. Her debut novel, Six Pounds Eight Ounces, was published in 2014 by Seren Books and is currently being adapted for TV, and there are the poetry collections the last polar bear on earth, published in 2018 by Parthian Books, and girls etc., by Broken Sleep Books in 2024. Her prose and poetry have been listed in various competitions and prizes and appeared in many magazines and anthologies worldwide, as well as being featured on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme. She was named by The Welsh Agenda as one of Wales’ Rising Stars—one of 30 people working to make Wales better over the next 30 years. She is a Hay Festival Writer at Work and was previously Writer in Residence at the Coracle International Literary Festival in Tranås, Sweden. Rhian Elizabeth’s maybe i’ll call gillian anderson is a raw, darkly funny, and deeply affecting collection that navigates the liminal spaces of love, loss, and reinvention. PRAISE for maybe i'll call gillian anderson : A poetic memoir like a rush of honesty to the heart (or Gillian Anderson’s answerphone.) — Caroline Bird

WORKSHOP AFTER POEMS Theresa Lola LOCATION BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME ABOUT THE EVENT TIME Saturday - 12:30pm PRICE £24.50 / £18.50 Book Tickets Book Stream Developing strategies for responding to other poems, and going from inspiration to innovation. As T.S. Eliot says 'No poet, no artist of any art, has his complete meaning alone’. We are in many ways always responding to what we take in. After poems are more intentional in their acknowledgement of the source. We’ll discuss, read, and write together. ABOUT THE POET Theresa Lola is an award winning poet, writer, and brand consultant. She was featured in the ‘Forces for Change’ issue of British Vogue as a next generation talent. In 2022 her poem Equilibrium from her first poetry collection was added to OCR’s GCSE English Literature syllabus. Her second poetry collection is Ceremony for the Nameless (Penguin Press, 2024). In 2018 Lola was awarded the Brunel International African Poetry Prize, and the following year was the Young People’s Laureate for London. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing from University of Oxford, earning a distinction. Her writing has been commissioned for campaigns and projects by Aesop, National Gallery, Selfridges, Royal Festival Hall, and more. Fashion designer Osman Yousefzada selected her as his co-writer for his London Fashion Week film. Lola has led poetry workshops across schools, projects, and organisations, including for Dulwich Picture Gallery, The Poetry School, and Outspoken. She has read her work across the UK and internationally in Brazil, Singapore, Romania, and more.

< Back An exciting and invigorating workshop on how to write, edit and elevate soundscape in poetry. Sunday 2:30pm SOUNDSCAPE IN POETRY Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Birmingham, UK Starting with some light terminology and a heady mixture of classic and contemporary poems to draw inspiration from, this is a workshop for anyone and everyone who is enamoured, baffled, or bewildered by the concept and significance of sound in poetry. Guaranteed to deepen your love and understanding of every syllable you give to the page, this session will give you the confidence to go deeper into the poems you love, and to make your own words sing. Not to be missed! ABOUT THE POET: Aoife Lyall is the author of 'Mother, Nature' (Bloodaxe Books, 2021), shortlisted for the Scottish First Book Award 2021, and 'The Day Before' (Bloodaxe Books, 2024), poems from which were shortlisted in the Bridport Poetry Competition and Highly Commended in the Forward Prize for Poetry. Previous accolades include an Emerging Scottish Writer residency by Cove Park in 2020 and being twice shortlisted for the Hennessy New Irish Writing Awards. She has received generous National Lottery funding through Creative Scotland to support the writing of her collections. She is reviews editor of Magma Poetry, and has worked as a guest curator and young makar mentor for the Scottish Poetry Library. She has also worked with the Saltire Society as a judge, and Butcher’s Dog as a guest editor. Her poems have inspired music, film, sculpture and artwork across the UK and Ireland. Lyall lives and works in the Scottish Highlands with her family and her work focuses on motherhood, queerness, lockdown, and emigration. Praise for 'The Day Before' ‘Her theme is ‘heaven in the ordinary’ – moments of illumination in everyday life. Written during the pandemic (chillingly evoked in the poem ‘Moss’), these moments become necessary for survival. There’s an imagist precision here, with real emotional power.’ – Graeme Richardson, The Sunday Times, on The Day Before 'There's an undercurrent of suffering to Aoife Lyall's second collection, The Day Before, much of which coheres around the disorientating days of lockdown; its odd rituals, barriers and a looming atmosphere of bureaucratic dread ... There's an elegiac tone to some of the work...and here, the use of gesture and withholding, of feeling by absence, is...effective.' – Declan Ryan, The Irish Times 'The Day Before is remarkable for the assured, luminous quality of each of its poems .... The Day Before is a deceptively complex collection - though its beautiful language and celebration of the everyday create a quiet magic, there is a pervading sense of melancholy as Lyall uncovers the loss in our lives, including the loss of childhood and innocence; the environmental losses we see around us every day; the loss of security in a world marked by pandemic.' – Rosamund Taylor, Poetry Ireland Review WORKSHOP £24.50 / £18.50 Sunday 2:30pm Book Tickets

< Back Putting together your pamphlet for submission. Sunday 4pm WHICHING AND PITCHING Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Birmingham, UK Thinking about collecting your poems into a first pamphlet? Bring your idea and join this demystifying workshop run by Birmingham publisher The Emma Press. In considering what editors are looking for in a pamphlet, we will see what we can learn from some of the best recent publications and get thinking about how to select and order your own poems. The session will explore the range of poetry publishers and consider how to pitch, how to talk about your work, and how to know your audiences. With plenty of time for questions and discussion on good practice and common pitfalls, you’ll leave with key footholds for you next steps on your publication journey. This workshop will be run by Emma Press editor James Trevelyan . WORKSHOP £24.50 / £18.50 Sunday 4pm Book Tickets

Ways to sponsor Poetry Culture with VERVE Poetry Festival. Sponsoring VERVE is more than visibility — it’s a strategic alignment with values that matter: culture, creativity, community, and access. Whether you’re supporting a headline event, a foyer space of live art and poetry, a development programme for young poets, or our free-to-access open mics — your brand is seen, felt, and appreciated. VERVE FESTIVAL of POETRY & SPOKEN WORD WHAT WE DO We platform emerging voices and bring internationally acclaimed poets to Birmingham. We champion access, equity, and innovation in poetry. We believe that poetry can be an agent for connection, care, cultural representation and joy. 'VERVE is one of Britain's finest literary festivals bringing the most exciting new and experienced poets to enthusiastic audiences. One of my favourite festivals anywhere!' - Daljit Nagra radio presenter of the weekly Poetry Extra on Radio 4 Extra, former Chair of the Royal Society of Literature, Council of Society of Authors, national advisor to Poetry By Heart, and a PBS New Generation Poet. WHAT WE DELIVER 16 FESTIVAL EVENTS 20 IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS 50+ POETS & PERFORMERS 2000+ TICKETS SOLD FOOTFALL 500 ONLINE PARTICIPANTS 5,930 EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS 400+ POETRY BOOKS SOLD 400+ POETRY BOOKS SOLD of LIVE EVENTS 3600+ £5000 REDISTRIBUTED TO EARLY-CAREER POETS/WRITERS 5 DAYS WHO WE SERVE YOU BELONG HERE!! Emerging poets and writers both nationally and internationally Practicing professional poets and spoken word artists Curious readers and seasoned poetry lovers Young poets aged 16–25 Primary and secondary school children across Birmingham. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. CELEBRATING INCLUSIVE / DIVERSE / EXPERIMENTAL AUDIENCES + POETRY Our audience is as diverse as our poetry, reflecting a tapestry of multicultural, multigender, diasporic, international, and hyper-local communities - everyone is welcomed with open arms. 'VERVE Poetry Festival Stands at the beating heart of all that is poetry, and all that might be. Bibrant, alive, provactive and curious - we need more festivals like this.' - Joelle Taylor Joelle Taylor is the T. S. Eliot Prize-winning poet, former UK Slam Champion, and founder of SLAMbassadors, whose work has electrified international stages and earned her an MBE for services to poetry. WHAT WE NEED We’re building something meaningful, but we can’t do it alone. VERVE is a Community Interest Company run by working artists. Our ambition is always bigger than our budget. The economic climate for culture has diminished after decades of austerity, and though we have continued to evolve and establish new ground due to our personal commitment, we've done so sacrificially because we love what we do so much. To grow sustainably, remain accessible, and continue championing new voices, we need support. YOUR SPONSORSHIP HELPS US TO: Provide outreach and education to young and emerging writers Run accessible, inclusive, and representative programming Commission and publish new work Document and share voices from the Midlands and beyond Keep ticket prices low and workshops accessible Offer opportunities to underrepresented communities Provide long-term development for emerging artists Platform new literature and amplify unheard voices Cover core production, print, access, and documentation costs WHAT YOU GET Sponsoring VERVE is more than visibility — it’s a strategic alignment with values that matter: culture, creativity, community, and access. Whether you’re supporting a headline event, a foyer space of live art and poetry, a development programme for young poets, or our free-to-access open mics — your brand is seen, felt, and appreciated. BRAND EXPOSURE: 3,600+ estimated festival footfall across 5 days 2,000+ tickets sold to a wide-ranging, culture-engaged audience 5,930 email subscribers with above-industry-average open rates 500+ online participants through streamed events and digital workshops Presence across 16 live events and 20 workshops Branded signage at your sponsored event or space Name/logo on printed programme, booking pages, and digital ads Mentions across VERVE’s social platforms (Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook) Your team included in our post-festival impact report STRATEGIC VALUE: Clear alignment with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), ESG (Environmental Social Governance) or community investment targets Fulfilment of your culture, education or wellbeing objectives Demonstrable support for diverse, inclusive, and accessible programming Partnership with a CIC (Community Interest Company) with national recognition Opportunities for team engagement via tickets, workshops, or hosted events Association with a vibrant, critically acclaimed arts festival SPONSOR-ABLE FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES SCHOOL SLAM *a yearly initiative engaging schools across the city in writing & performing poetry. IMMERSIVE FESTIVAL ATRIUM *poetry on demand / poetry game / pop-up bookshop. POETRY COMPETITION *culminating in a published anthology every year! POETRY CINEMA FILM NIGHT *with popcorn! *selected from films submitted to our competition. THE POETRY SCHOOL LIVE POETRY LECTURES *alternative page-poetry lectures exploring history's, herstory's, contemporary culture, form, craft + practice. YOUNG PEOPLES DAY FESTIVAL *spin off micro-fest within VERVE to encourage children. POETRY IN PERFORMANCE WIP EVENT *celebrating & encouraging experimental live poetry. DAILY FEATURED POET HEADLINERS *festival favourite celebrating new works in poetry from professional poets with audience Q+A. CONCURRENT ONLINE *STREAMED* FESTIVAL ALL DAY OPEN MIC THE BIG GAY POETRY NIGHT 22 IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS *SPONSORABLE YEAR-LONG COMMUNITY PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES MONTHLY COMMUNITY OPEN MIC *providing a platform for everyone to share: a tradjectory in career development. COMMUNITY WRITING GROUPS *working to support mental health, language, communication & expression. POEM OF THE MONTH *a monthly poetry competition paying poets for their poems as well as providing exposure. BIRMINGHAMS POETRY COLLECTIVE *the only poetry development programme in the west-midlands outside of formal education sustaining a strong poetry community for the city. QUARTERLY SPOKEN WORD NIGHTS *presenting national/international poets with local talent & emerging poets. ONLINE POETRY WORKSHOPS *accessible seasonal workshops providing work for poets, and high quality practice development for our audience. HOW SPONSORSHIP WORKS Sponsorship with VERVE is flexible and impact-driven. You can choose to sponsor a specific part of the festival, like a headline performance, the festival atrium, a day of workshops or support a wider programme that runs throughout the year. Opportunities range from £500–£2,000, depending on scale, visibility, and impact. You might choose to: Sponsor a single event or workshop Fund an element of our outreach or mentoring programmes Invest in access costs (e.g. free ticketing, BSL, travel bursaries) Brand a space, stage, or printed product Support an entire strand of year-round programming We work with you to shape the partnership so it supports your goals — whether you're focused on education, visibility, wellbeing, or giving back to your community. You choose the focus. We make it visible, meaningful, and aligned. 'VERVE has hand-crafted community, aspiration and pride in the Birmingham poetry and spoken word scene out of pure passion, quirk and creative ideas over the past almost-decade. VERVE is a central reason why Birmingham is seen as a centre and beacon for poetry and development.' - Jazmine Gardosi Jasmine Gardosi is a previous Birmingham Poet Laureate, a BBC Words First finalist, and the 2021 UK Slam Champion, known for her electrifying performances blending poetry, beatboxing, and gender identity. WHO WE WORK WITH OUR MISSION Through a dynamic and thought-provoking programme of performances, workshops, and discussions, we aim to nurture creativity, amplify marginalised voices, and recognise established artists while providing a platform for new writers. We showcase the richness and vitality of contemporary poetry, championing a vibrant community that values artistic expression, cultivates empathy, and encourages dialogue. OUR VISION The vision of VERVE Poetry Festival is to be a beacon for contemporary poetry, inspiring a diverse and inclusive community where artistic expression thrives, marginalised voices are heard, and the transformative power of poetry initiates empathy, dialogue, and positive social change. We aspire to create a lasting impact on the literary world, empowering individuals to boldly explore and develop their craft while celebrating the richness and vitality of poetic expression. VERVE's POETRY LEGACY: LEARNING INITIATIVE VERVE's Learning Initiative is a multifaceted educational program designed to engage learners of all ages and backgrounds in the art of poetry. We offer workshops, lectures, and retreats (a future incentive) aimed at nurturing creativity, developing literary skills, and building community, from introductory poetry workshops for beginners to advanced masterclasses for seasoned writers, there's something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Our educational offerings extend beyond the traditional classroom setting, with opportunities for experiential learning and hands-on participation through outreach programs and collaborations with schools, libraries, and community organisations. We strive to make poetry accessible for the next generation of poets and spoken word artists. Through our school slam program , we ignite a passion for poetry in young minds by engaging with over 500 children each year. By providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities for self-expression, we empower students to find their voice and share their stories through the power of spoken word. Our school slam initiative not only fosters creativity and confidence but also cultivates empathy, critical thinking, and communication skills , laying the foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth. Partnering with the Poetry Society's Young Poets Network , we offer a platform for emerging voices to shine. Through our free competitions, performance opportunities in the festival program, and professional workshops, we provide young poets with the tools, support, and recognition they need to thrive. 'Being at the Verve Poetry Festival feels like an instant buzz of energy. It comes from every direction: the vibrant diversity of the audiences, the imaginative programming, the connection with other poets at every stage in their careers. It is the poetry festival that Birmingham richly deserves'. - Imtiaz Dharker Multi-award-winning poet, artist and filmmaker, recipient of the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, former Chancellor of Newcastle University, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, whose work has been studied on the UK national curriculum. EMERGING POETRY ANTHOLOGIES Annual VERVE poetry festival competitions have birthed 8 anthologies, nurturing emerging poets and capturing the essence of each festival. These collections explore a diverse range of voices and experiences, and stand testament to our commitment to presenting new artists. OUR STORY Born from a Twitter idea, VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival has blossomed into a beacon of creativity and community in Birmingham. Since 2017, VERVE has been synonymous with lively programming, inclusive spaces, and a vibrant celebration of poetry in all its glory. 2017: The inaugural VERVE Poetry Festival launches in Birmingham, aiming to celebrate contemporary poetry with a diverse array of performances and workshops hosted in WATERSTONE's with a broken lift, tiny budget but packed full of diverse poets. 2018: Building on its initial success, the festival expands its programming, attracting a larger audience and featuring more poets so stepping up in the world into THE OLD REP THEATRE! 2019: VERVE continues to grow, showcasing an even broader range of poets and workshops, solidifying its place in the poetry community. 2020: Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, VERVE adapts and successfully hosts virtual events, maintaining its vibrant spirit and community engagement. 2022: VERVE collaborates with the BBC for the Contains Strong Language Festival in Birmingham, enhancing its reach and impact. 2023: The festival returns with in-person events from February 15th to 19th, continuing its mission to support and celebrate contemporary poetry. 2024: Year of the collective, a pilot development programme for practicing poets with performance opportunities and career advancement + a festival first RUN YOUR POWERTRY TO THE MUSIC platforming community grass-root poetry events Run Your Mouth, Empower Poetry, Tell it to the Music + The Poetry Hotel. 2025: Biggest selling festival. Platform for THE BIG GAY POETRY NIGHT. Becoming a CIC. Launching POEM OF THE MONTH + community driven SUBSTACK offering insights, behind the scenes info and a publishing space for our poetry community. WANT TO SUPPORT VERVE? We’d love to build a partnership that’s as creative as the festival itself. Whether you’re interested in sponsoring a specific event, a strand of programming, or year-round development work — get in touch. BECOME A SPONSORED PARTNER

< Back Bring your writing home & write the ordinary extraordinarily 🪑✨ ✍️ Saturday - 9:30am MAKING THE ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Birmingham, UK During this session we'll be looking at writing inspired by The Everyday. This is a chance to work in a close & relaxed group & mix up your writing with some lovely prompts & surprises. Perfect YOU time to get cosy & open those notebooks. All levels welcome! 🏡🥄 🍽 ABOUT THE POET Laurie Bolger is an acclaimed English poet, stand-up and presenter based in London. She was shortlisted for Young Poet Laureate of London in 2014 and won the 2023 International Book & Pamphlet Competition judged by Hannah Lowe. Bolger tours her writing, including her debut pamphlet collection 'Makeover, Spin and Box Rooms', and has performed at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Old Vic Theatre, and St Paul's Cathedral. WORKSHOP £24.50 / £18.50 Saturday - 9:30am Book Tickets

< Back Write poems that speak to the most formative relationship we will ever experience. Sunday - 12:30pm A FAMILY AFFAIR Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst Street, Birmingham, UK In this generative poetry workshop we’ll explore and interrogate what family, and our subsequent attachment styles, might mean for us in our poems. How can we use this relationship to expand our understanding of communal and individual experiences? What unique and formative language did we learn from our family of origin that we can employ in our work? In this workshop we’ll read and study a wide range of poems from traditional and contemporary poets around this subject and write poems that speak to the most formative relationship we will ever experience. ABOUT THE POET Victoria Kennefick is a poet, writer and teacher from Shanagarry, Co. Cork now based in Co. Kerry. Her first collection, Eat or We Both Starve , was published by Carcanet Press in March 2021. It won the Seamus Heaney Prize for Best First Collection 2022 and The Dalkey Literary Festival Emerging Writer of the Year Award 2022. It was also shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize, The Costa Poetry Book Award, The Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry and The Butler Literary Prize. It was a a Book of the Year in The Guardian , T he Irish Times , The Sunday Independent and The White Review , and was also selected as one of The Telegraph 's Best Poetry Books to Buy 2021. Her pamphlet, White Whale (Southword Editions, 2015), won the Munster Literature Centre Fool for Poetry Chapbook Competition and the Saboteur Award for Best Poetry Pamphlet. Her work has appeared in Poetry, The Poetry Review, PN Review, Poetry Ireland Review, The Stinging Fly, Poetry News, Prelude, Copper Nickel, The Irish Times, Ambit, bath magg, Banshee, Bad Lilies, PBLJ and elsewhere. She won the 2013 Red Line Book Festival Poetry Prize and many of her poems have also been anthologised and broadcast on national radio stations. WORKSHOP £24.50 / £18.50 Sunday - 12:30pm Book Tickets

POETRY FRIDAY NIGHT HEADLINE EVENT Dzifa Benson, Anthony Joseph, Richard Scott with host Helen Bowell LOCATION BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME ABOUT THE EVENT TIME Friday - 8:30pm PRICE £10 / £8 Book Tickets Book Stream An Evening of Powerhouse Poetry: Unmissable Readings and Conversation. Our regular Friday evening poetry headline event features three incredible contemporary poets. Dzifa Benson will read from their long awaited debut full collection Monster (Bloodaxe, 2024) TS Eliot prize-winner Anthony Joseph debut's at VERVE with his recently released selected poems Prcious & Impossible (Bloomsbury, 2024). And Richard Scott appears to celebrate the February publication of his second full collection, That Broke into Shining Crystals (Faber, 2025) Hosting these three wonderful poets for readings and discussion is Helen Bowell, whose debut pamphlet, The Barman (Bad Betty, 2022), was a PBS Summer Pamphlet Choice.