LIVEwire Poetry

27/02/2026

📣 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸!

Join us this coming Monday evening for a special showcase event as part of Barnsley Book Festival. We're at the Library in town with two of the UK's finest spoken word poets —

🌟 .godden
🌟 .garbutt

The event is being hosted by , and there's also an open mic section. There's a waiting list for pre-booked slots, plus a few available on the night on a first come, first served basis.

🎟 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘋𝘖𝘕'𝘛 𝘕𝘌𝘌𝘋 𝘛𝘖 𝘙𝘌𝘚𝘌𝘙𝘝𝘌 𝘛𝘐𝘊𝘒𝘌𝘛𝘚 — 𝘑𝘜𝘚𝘛 𝘛𝘜𝘙𝘕 𝘜𝘗 𝘖𝘕 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘕𝘐𝘎𝘏𝘛 🎟

We've added a few FAQs to the 2nd image, but if there's anything else you're unsure about, DM us, and we'll answer ASAP.

See you on Monday, aye?!

25/02/2026

The phenomenal Liz Berry. Don't miss her in Farsley this Friday morning!!

Poems for Parents: Liz Berry | Leeds Storytelling Festival 2026

Liz Berry's poem "The Republic of Motherhood" as read by the poet. Part of the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation's Read By series of poetry films. Directe...

24/02/2026

🎟 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧 🚫

I've had a few enquiries about spare tickets for tonight's Roundhouse Poetry Slam heat. I'm afraid we're fully sold out — there's no way I can safely squeeze any more in!

Please take a moment to look at the info on the second slide before you leave later. I'm keen to start as close to 7.30pm as possible, so that we finish in time for last buses/trains, etc.

Huge thanks to everyone who's bought tickets — see you in a few hours!!

23/02/2026

𝗣𝗼𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 🍼

This Friday, join us at Sunny Bank Mills and be treated to some lush poetry from Liz Berry in a relaxed space for new parents.

We encourage you to do whatever you need to do for you and your baby to be comfortable: move around, feed, soothe, and so on.

Liz Berry is a breathtakingly good poet and a warm, engaging soul to spend the best part of an hour with.

Tickets are Pay As You Feel, and the event runs from 10-11am. Please share this with anyone who might be keen!

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/farsley/gallery-cafe/poems-for-parents-with-liz-berry-leeds-storytelling-festival/2026-02-27/10:00/t-ejaogny

Produced by LIVEwire Poetry as part of Leeds Storytelling Festival.

19/02/2026

🍼🎤 𝗣𝗼𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

For anyone potentially interested in coming along tomorrow (20th) or next Friday (27th), here are a few FAQs answered!

• You can bring your baby! We say 'pre-talkers' because the content is targeted at parents, and so there may be adult themes.
• Breastfeeding is welcome, and we also understand you're likely to need to get up, move around, etc — the space is relaxed.
• There's room at both venues for buggies and prams.
• Both cafés will be serving hot drinks with their own ranges of cakes, etc.
• The poetry readings will take place between 10.15-11, but please arrive for 10am.
• Toria's reading at Seven Arts is being BSL interpreted.
• Tickets for both events are Pay As You Feel, with a suggested donation of £6. The link is in our bio!

I think that's all, but please DM with any other questions. And please share this with any new parents who might be interested! Ta ❤️

18/02/2026

𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, courtesy of 🗒

Mary’s debut pamphlet “Happiness FM” was published in 2020 and was selected as one of 10 uplifting books chosen by the NHS and the Reading Agency. Her poems have been published in a number of anthologies, websites and zines. In April 2022 Mary was featured in The Guardian regarding her experience of coming to performance poetry later in life. Her second collection “Late Shift at the Pickle Factory” was published by Burning Eye in 2023.

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𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗲𝗺, check out our pinned post, or head to livewirepoetry.org/submissions for the full guidelines!

17/02/2026

🎤 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗢!

It's nearly time for the Leeds heat of the 2026 Roundhouse Poetry Slam. Here are the 10 poets who'll be competing for a coveted slot in the Grand Final!

Your guest judges for the evening are .ibrahiim, , and 2024 Slam Champion .

It promises to be a truly electrifying evening at , and we can't wait to see what our Leeds slammers have to offer.

The last few tickets are remaining on Eventbrite — act fast to avoid disappointment 🎟

16/02/2026

𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀! Just a quick video to tell you about some poetry events taking place as part of Leeds Storytelling Festival.

🍼 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 (20 & 27 Feb)
Relaxed readings for parents with babies, starring .garbutt at on Fri 20th, and at on Fri 27th. Both events are 10-11am and PAYF.

👨🏻‍🍳 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 (20 & 21 Feb)
The world's first mobile poetry emporium! Visit the poet chefs to have your very own poem cooked up and served to you. They're at Kirkgate Market Food Hall on Fri 20th (1-5pm) and Moor Allerton Library on Sat 21st (11am-3pm).

Find more info at and leedsinspired.so.uk!

13/02/2026

𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏, courtesy of 🗒

Lorna Faye hails from Yorkshire and is a mental health professional. She has had poems published in: the NHS anthology 'We are the Hands', by Fair Acre Press; Beautiful dragons anthologies; and various Yaffle publications. Lorna's Brontë themed pamphlet 'Fiery Daughters' is published by Yaffle. Lorna has also appeared on the BBC with her Brontë themed poetry, thanks to .

One of her favourite spoken word adventures was opening for Chris Packham on stage at with her specially commissioned poem for Hen Harriers.

Lorna's writing themes include emotional resilience, nature, hope, mental health and injustice.

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𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗲𝗺, check out our pinned post, or head to livewirepoetry.org/submissions for the full guidelines!