Starring on AndWhatTV!

 Hello!

 I am very happy that my poem "Blood ghazal", which previously appeared in GASP, is this week's featured spoken-word piece at AndWhatTV! You can see me perform it here.

 We drove all around Manchester one cold, sunny morning, finding the perfect spot to film. I hope you enjoy the result. I am always surprised by how Northern I sound!

 Thank you to Nicole May for organising, and to everyone who has supported my spoken-word work.

 Liz x

Queers of Manchester, and "Arrival"

 Hello!

Photograph by Tom Quaye

 I felt incredibly proud to be featured by Queers of Manchester on their Facebook and Instagram pages. 

 Tom Quaye took the above photo of me, which I love, and you can also read my poem "Arrival". This sonnet describes my growing sense of belonging in Manchester, having previously lived in a number of different places.

 Many thanks to Queers of Manchester for choosing me and showcasing my writing, and to everybody who has responded so positively and kindly to the posts - it feels amazing.

 Liz x

One Mic Stand - February 2019

 Hello!

Photo by Alex Morgan

 Having been a regular member of Young Identity for around six months now (having previously attended on and off as university life allowed), I was overjoyed to be able to take part in my first One Mic Stand, the collective's showcase poetry slam at Band on the Wall.

 I was one of ten poets competing for a prize of £50, although winning was far from my mind as I performed - just standing on the stage and sharing my poem, "Campfire", which is quite personal and very close to my heart, was an empowering and memorable experience.

 I scored 51/60 overall, including a 10/10 from one judge for my content, which was wonderful. The winner was Saf, whose performance was intense and powerful. I loved hearing all of my friends from Young Identity sharing their work, and overall it was an amazing night.

 Thank you to Young Identity and Shirley May for making this happen, to Nicole May and Reece Williams for hosting, and to the lovely, supportive audience.

 Liz x

Confingo - Oyster

 Hello!

 I am very happy that my poem "Oyster" has been published in Confingo 10, the autumn/winter 2018 issue. It is wonderful to see my work in this elegant Mancunian print journal.

 I hope you enjoy my poem.

 Liz x

Visual Verse - Leaving Manchester

 Hello!

 Visual Verse have been celebrating their fifth birthday with a competition, and I was delighted to be one of the writers chosen to be published first in November's issue. 

 My poem "Leaving Manchester" was a response to the above image by Hannah Coulson, but also inspired by my many trips in and out of the city that has become my home over the last six years. Leaving always feels bittersweet, but I know I will never stay away for too long.

 I hope you enjoy my writing. Feel free to also look at my Visual Verse archive to see all the pieces I have had published on the site since 2015.

 Liz x

Here Comes Everyone - An L-shaped room

 Hello!

 I am very happy that my poem "An L-shaped room" has been published by Here Comes Everyone, as part of a series on the theme of "Rituals".

 I hope you enjoy my writing.

 Liz x

The Poetry Village - Dragon

 Hello!

Image by David Coldwell

 I am delighted to see my poem "Dragon" published at The Poetry Village, accompanied by a beautiful piece of art by Editor David Coldwell. 

 This is the second of my Chinese Zodiac poems to be published this week, after "Dogteeth" appeared in Severine. I hope you are enjoying this series - you can also read "Sheepgoat" and "Rooster" online.

 Liz x

Severine - Dogteeth

 Hello!

 I am very happy to have a poem, "Dogteeth", in Issue Six of Severine, which has the theme of "Wild". 

 Issue Four of Severine was one of my first publications, back in 2016, so it is lovely to see my work between the pages of this elegant journal once again.

 I hope you enjoy my writing.

 Liz x

Culture Matters - Things that can fly

 Hello!

 My poem "Things that can fly" has been published by Culture Matters. It is inspired by the history of coal mining in my hometown of Wigan and many of the nearby areas, as well as by nature, different generations and the passing of time.

 I hope you enjoy it.

 Liz x

Siblíní Journal - Hesitation

 Hello!

 I'm pleased to announce that my villanelle "Hesitation" has been published in Issue Four of Siblíní Journal, which has the theme of "Body Languages".

 I was published in Siblíní in 2016 with my poem "Ink dragons", and it is great to be part of this elegant journal once again.

 Liz x

Coast to Coast to Coast - Launch and What you are made of

 Hello!

 I am very happy to have a poem, "What you are made of", in Issue 4 of Coast to Coast to Coast, which is edited by Maria Isakova Bennett and Michael Brown.

 This journal is like nothing else I have encountered: it is small and delicate and the cover of every copy is individually hand-stitched by Maria. Each copy is stunning and is its own piece of art, which is very cool.

 It has been a dream of mine to make it into the journal, and it is wonderful to have been chosen. I was invited to read at the launch, in a historic house in Liverpool. It was a great night, and I met some lovely people.

 Musician Nick Branton also responded to the poetry read, and hearing music inspired by my work, and by others' I had just heard, was fascinating, and something different and special.

 My copy of Coast to Coast to Coast is something I will always treasure, and I am very proud and happy to be part of such an unusual and beautiful project.

 Liz x

Marble Poetry - The order

 Hello!

 I am pleased to let you know that my poem "The order" has been published in Issue 2 of the beautiful print magazine Marble Poetry.

 I hope you enjoy my writing.

 Liz x

Strix - Kiwi fruit

 Hello!

 I am delighted that my poem "Kiwi fruit" has been published in Issue #4 of Strix, a really beautiful print journal.

 I hope you enjoy my writing.

 Liz x

Celebrating Change - Blue butterflies

 Hello!

 I'm very happy that Celebrating Change has published my poem "Blue butterflies". Thank you to guest editor Degna Stone for her lovely introduction to it.

 It is wonderful to be part of this special year-long project exploring change. I hope you enjoy my writing.

 Liz x

The Cardiff Review - Before breakfast

 Hello!

 I am very happy that my poem "Before breakfast" has been chosen for publication in The Cardiff Review. It will be in the Spring 2018 issue, which is also their first Queer Issue and is now available to pre-order.

 I hope you enjoy it.

 Liz x

Mind Full of Art

 Hello!

 I was very happy to have my poem "Soap" chosen for inclusion in Open Mind Manchester's Mind Full of Art project. The poem was featured in an exhibition on mental health and wellbeing at the University of Manchester, as well as in the Mind Full of Art anthology.

 Our mental health is so important, and all too often in today's society it is neglected. Helping to raise awareness about it was an honour.

 Liz x

The Open Mouse - Urania

 Hello!

 My poem "Urania" has been published at The Open Mouse. It was inspired by my visit to Lyon while I was living in Avignon.

 I hope you enjoy it.

 Liz x

Global Health Poetry Competition

 Hello!

The Top Three: Me, Toreh O'Garro and Anna Nelson

 I took part in this year's Global Health Poetry Competition, run by Manchester Global Health Society.

 I was delighted to be told that I was in the Top Ten, and invited to read my poem "Perpignan sestina" - inspired by my time living in France - at the awards ceremony at Chapter One Books in the Northern Quarter.

 I was then even more delighted to be told I had won Second Prize. I am so happy that the judges - Dr Sarah Collins, Enam Haque and Joy France - enjoyed my poem, and the ceremony was lovely. I heard some amazing poetry.

 The winning poems will be released in an e-book soon, so watch this space! Overall, this was a really nice and fun thing to happen in the middle of all of my university work and deadlines. I'm very glad I entered the competition.

 Liz x

Selcouth Station - Maybe Cygnus

 Hello!

 I'm very happy to have a second poem published by Selcouth Station! As well as "Ávila" you can now read "Maybe Cygnus", which was also inspired by my time living in Spain.

 I hope you enjoy it.

 Liz x

Selcouth Station - Ávila

 Hello!

 Just letting you know that my poem "Ávila" has been published by Selcouth Station. I hope you enjoy it. 

 You can learn more about my visit to Ávila on my travel blog.

 Liz x