Come and join us of the launch of the Verse Matters anthology, co-edited by myself and Helen Mort, published by the brilliant Valley Press.
The anthology aims to harness the power of everyday, human stories in these times of inequality, xenophobia and dehumanisation.
The anthology includes unpublished poems by well-known writers including Malika Booker, Liz Berry and Hollie McNish alongside poems and prose by some wonderful writers who have not been published before. Many of the poems are by writers based in Yorkshire, including some for whom English is not their first language. Some of the poems are by refugees, who have sought sanctuary in the UK.
The stories in the book explore moments of sadness, anger, humility and happiness. Through them, we hope to create a space in which less-heard voices can be recognised—a written space for stories that might have been erased by society. We also want to insist on human connections in times in which these are being eroded.
If you can’t make the event, you can pre-order the anthology from Inpress Books. All royalties from the book will be split between ASSIST Sheffield and The Cathedral Archer Project in Sheffield.
We hope you can join us at The Holt Sheffield (156 Arundel St, Sheffield, S1 4RE) on Thursday 14 December (7.30-9.30pm) to celebrate this book and hear some of the contributors read! The full line-up will be announced shortly. We have an event page on Facebook with regular updates.
We will be collecting donations on the door for ASSIST Sheffield who support destitute asylum seekers.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Rachel Bower 