A wee writing update from me:
- My memoir is going to print.
- I’ve delivered the second draft of my third young adult novel in verse.
- Rough illustrations are imminent for my second picture book with Alea Marley.
- I’m working on an adult novel and a middle grade fantasy novel.

“My Mum is a Robin” by Jackie Kay from MAY DAY (@picadorbooks)

On 2nd May, our #shortlist celebration The London Library.

STELLAR readings from: Jason Allen-Paisant, benjamin dean Hiba Noor Khan Noreen Masud Ami Rao & Yepoka Yeebo & discussion featuring Jacqui Rose - JP Rose - a writer of sorts Anni Domingo Sunny Singh
Spaces are limited so book now
londonlibrary.co.uk/whats-on/240-c…

A huge thank you to an unsung book hero, Jill of The Waters Company who produces so many fantastic readings for BBC Radio 4. #YouAreHere is Book At Bedtime tonight, read by the brilliant Sally Phillips and Jim Howick. Listen from 10.45pm. haley blair bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00…

⭐️WIN a free book for your library, school or Early Years setting⭐️

To celebrate the launch of the #EmpathyDay 2024 resources, we're gifting an empathy-boosting book to the first 300 organisations who sign up!

Enter now at empathylab.uk/empathy-day

🎉 Don't forget, the European Writers' Festival is just around the corner!📚Join us at the British Library on 18-19.05 for 2 days of literary magic, featuring captivating discussions, powerful readings, and inspiring insights from leading authors across Europe. Dean Atta 🇨🇾/ rosie goldsmith

Don't miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary literary event featuring top authors from Europe includind Dean Atta. Curated by rosie goldsmith! Secure your tickets now before it's too late! seetickets.com/tour/european-… 📚🎟️

Congratulations to Dean Atta 🎉

I have two poems in this gorgeous anthology, Joy//Us - Poems of Queer Joy from Arachne Press🕷️

If you're in London, celebrate with us at National Poetry Library on Wed 5 Jun, 8 pm.

I'll be reading alongside Joshua Jones | Local Fires OUT NOW Rick Dove 🕊💙 JP Seabright 💜 and many more!

southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/liter…

Dean Atta has been called “a poet of the finest order, a most tender, passionate and powerful voice, a light in the twenty-first century” by Salena Godden and his work “There is (still) love here” has been called vulnerable, tender, openhearted and life-affirming by Pascale Petit FRSL🐅🌴🐆🌳🦌

🌟 Excited to announce that award-winning author and poet Dean Atta will be joining us at the @EuropeanWritersFestial 2024! 📚 Representing #Cyprus , Dean's powerful storytelling promises to captivate audiences at the @BritishLibrary, on May 18-19. Don't miss it! 🎉EUNIC LONDON

Enjoy some #MG & #YA #VerseNovel #audiobooks including those by Dean Atta Betty Culley Colby Cedar Smith Carole Boston Weatherford Margarita Engle 💥candice iloh Elisabet Velasquez, Tina Cane, Laekan Zea Kemp, Juleah del Rosario Irene Latham Charles Waters Colby Cedar Smith Kip Wilson Elizabeth Acevedo

📢 One week to go and still 30 competitions, literary journals, and writing opportunities with deadlines by 1 May. Dig out those poems and start submitting!

TODAY! We launch #TheReview , an editorially independent bi-annual insert in The Bookseller, entirely produced by and featuring writers of the global majority. Brought to you by Jhalak Prize and writersmosaic.
A short🧵

Film festivals use to be for actual independent filmmakers 🤣

The richest Prime Minister in history – worth an estimated £529,000,000 – is demonising sick and disabled people.

He wants us to blame our problems on anyone but the real culprits:

The Tory government, their super-rich donors, and a system that puts greed before human need.

I’m not even joking when I say this but they want people to kill themselves

“Children do not start wars,

and they cannot end them,

but they always pay the highest price.”

— Catherine Russell

unicef.org/press-releases…

Let me tell you how stupid this country is. Doctors are not allowed to evaluate whether we're too sick to work but people with no medical and diagnostic background can say you're fit to work during a PIP assessment. And they can override what you're doctor saying.