So you want to know more and get involved with poetry in Birmingham, but you are unsure where to start?
Then read on; this is the article you have been looking for.
When I started my poetry journey, one of the earliest challenges I faced was finding out about local events and knowing who to contact and connect with.
Depending on your goals, it can be a lifelong challenge, but the job becomes easier by finding and getting involved with existing groups and communities.
So I have written this article intending to provide a regularly updated definitive guide to poetry in Birmingham, covering topics such as the general state, what’s going on and how to get involved.
Poetry in Birmingham: The General State
Known affectionately by locals as “Brum”, by population, Birmingham is the second largest city in England after the capital London.
With its West Midlands location, Birmingham is known for its rich and diverse history, shared by its vibrant culture of poetry and literature.
There are several reasons for this, but one of the most significant influences towards its diversity is its historical location away from established centres of politics and power.
As a bustling industrial city heavily influenced by merchant trade, religion and various industries, Birmingham has long been known as a place to attract free-thinking and radical attitudes.
Therefore, it is no surprise that Birmingham has a rich cultural heritage and is home to a vibrant and diverse poetry scene featuring some of the most talented on-page and spoken-word artists.
So whether you’re a seasoned poet or just starting, there is a thriving poetry scene in Birmingham that offers something for everyone.
If you want to understand the love poets and many more people have for the city, read. This Is Not Your Final Form: Poems about Birmingham — published by THE EMMA PRESS.
Birmingham is a city that offers intimate poetry readings in local cafes to large-scale festivals like the Birmingham Literature Festival and the Verve Poetry Festival.
It will forever be known as the city celebrating the power of words and the beauty of language.
Birmingham Poetry Groups
Whether you are looking for friendship or feedback, community or a way to absorb and immerse yourself in the poetry scene, poetry groups offer an excellent opportunity for connection and growth.
There is nothing like being seen by the eyes of those who, without explanation, understand why you do what you do when you do it. — Nikky Finney
For those who want to connect with other poets and hone their craft, Birmingham has several poetry groups, such as Poets’ Place, meeting twice a month; they provide opportunities for poets to come together, write, share their work and give feedback.
The groups listed below range from the Birmingham Poetry Society and the Birmingham Writers’ Group to open-mic poetry events like Poetry Live Birmingham.
- Birmingham Poetry Society — meets online first Tuesday of each month except January and August.
- Poet’s Place is organised by Birmingham Library and Apples & Snakes. For up-to-date information on session themes, dates and times, check out the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/placeforpoets
- Century Poets — Meet last Sunday each month from 2 pm to 6 pm. Contact Prof. Kopan Mahadeva, 0121 382 0109
- Birmingham City Council — for a list of poetry-related groups, people, and events.
- Birmingham Stories’ Poetry Club — a monthly competition to encourage the development of your poetry and writing skills.
It goes without saying that within a supportive community of writers, you will have the opportunity to receive feedback and improve your writing skills and gain confidence in your performance and written work.
Poetry Events in Birmingham
Birmingham is home to a wide range of poetry events, including the Verve Poetry Festival, poetry nights at local cafes, and open mic poetry events like Poetry Live Birmingham.
With so many opportunities to perform your poetry in front of a live audience, you can share your work with a broader audience and receive valuable feedback from other poets and poetry lovers.
Below is a list of exciting upcoming and regular poetry events; some are links to websites, others to Facebook groups or platforms such as Eventbrite, where you can book and purchase tickets.
- Verve Poetry Festival (Wed 15 — Sun 19 February 2023) — a must-attend festival held online and in person, curating workshops, lectures and special events.
- VERVE Open Door — open mic poetry and spoken word, 3rd Tuesday each month. Free to get in, pay as you feel event.
- Caffe Grande Slam — monthly poetry night
- The Poetry hotel — a monthly open mic, 2nd Wednesday of each month. Open to poets, spoken word performers and storytellers.
- Poetry Jam — a monthly open mic to perform and vibe out on the first Thursday of the month.
- Brum Radio Poets — monthly radio broadcast featuring poets from the Midlands and surrounding area. Hosted by Rick Sanders, aka Willis the Poet
- Wednesday Mic Fever —open mic poetry, spoken word, music, dancing and more at the Legacy Centre. 1st Wednesday of each month. Contact writer & performance poet Miss Culture Jam on 0771415022
Here is a great tool to search for any event and recent gig review by area/ region, Currently filtered for Birmingham: The Poetry Gig Guide
Ok, so this is not strictly limited to Birmingham poetry. Here is a friendly reminder to put the date into your calendar and watch out for poetry events in and around Birmingham on National poetry day: Thursday, 5 October 2023.
All You Should Know to Publish Your Poetry
For poets ready to take the next step and share their work with a broader audience, publishing your poetry is a rewarding experience and a superb way to get noticed.
You have many options, from submitting your work to literary journals like the Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal to self-publishing online.
If you want to get your poetry published, it’s essential to research and understand the different submission requirements and options available.
There is no standard route to becoming a recognised and distinguished poet, but most beginners take a typical path.
Submit single poems in magazines and competitions -> compile a pamphlet → first complete collection.
Depending on where you are on your journey, consider working with a literary agent or editor to help you get your work into the hands of publishers and readers.
Below is a list of Birmingham-based publishers and presses that specialise in poetry. Check out their website for their submission guides.
The Emma Press — Founded by Emma Dai’an Wright in Winnersh, Berkshire, in 2012.
Now based in Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. Emma Press is an independent publishing house specialising in poetry, short fiction, essays and children’s books.
- Formats: Collections, Anthologies and Pamphlets
- Submission: Open for 1 Week each Quarter
Verve Poetry Press — Co-founded by Stuart Bartholomew and Amerah Saleh, the press is a vibrant festival and publishing press. New submissions for full-length collections open in April 2023.
- Formats: Collections and Pamphlets
- Submission: Various submission windows
Birmingham Poets
Birmingham has produced many talented poets over the years, and its thriving poetry scene continues to attract new and exciting voices.
Some of the city’s most notable and famous Birmingham poets include W.H. Auden, Roy Fisher and Dr Benjamin Zephaniah.
W.H. Auden grew up in Solihull near Birmingham and is noted for his range and style of poems covering topics as diverse as politics, love, social issues and religion.
Roy Fischer was an English poet and jazz musician, raised and educated in Birmingham.
Throughout his career, his writing has embraced various styles, bridging traditional and modernist approaches to poetry. Unfortunately, he is widely unknown, mainly because of his reluctance towards fame and celebrity.
In 2003, he was made lifetime Honorary Poet of the City of Birmingham
Benjamin Zephaniah is one of the nation’s most celebrated people poets.
“I write to connect with people and have never felt the need to go via the church, the state, or the monarchy to reach my people. No money. Freedom or death.”
Starting as a dub poet, he has gone on to showcase many talents as an author, playwright, actor, activist and more.
He writes and performs to connect, and his mission, taken from his biography on his website, is to:
The mission was to take poetry everywhere, he hated the dead image that academia and the establishment had given poetry and proclaimed that he was out to popularise poetry by reaching people who did not read books, those that were keen on books could now witness a book coming to life on the stage.[1]
On 17 July 2008, Benjamin Zephaniah received an honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham. [2] He was listed at 48 in The Times list of 50 greatest postwar writers.[3]
Whether the work of these great poets inspires you or you’re looking to make your mark in the world of poetry, Birmingham is a city that encourages and celebrates diversity through the power and the beauty of language.
Birmingham Poet Laureate
Jasmin Gardosi is the current Birmingham Poet Laureate, taking over the mantle from the former laureate Casey Bailey.
Jasmin is a multiple slam champion, beatboxer and winner of the Out-Spoken Prize for Poetry.
Her debut show’ Dancing To Music You Hate‘ explores gender identity and is a personal favourite and highly recommended must-see.
Iona Mandal is the current Young Poet Laureate for Birmingham.
A list of previous Birmingham poet laureates can be seen here.
Ok, this is outdated, but I wanted to include it to showcase a marvellous example and collection of the range of Birmingham spoken word talent: 10 Birmingham Spoken Word Artists You Need To Know.
Need Help with Poetry in Birmingham?
If you seek help with your poetry in Birmingham, a Google search and Facebook groups can reveal many available resources.
Whether you’re seeking guidance on improving your writing, feedback on your poems or help to publish your work, the poetry groups, printing presses, and city council mentioned above can help.
For example, consider taking poetry classes or workshops (check out Online Poetry Courses: Things You Might Want to Consider or the Writing West Midlands website) or attending Birmingham poetry events like the Verve Poetry Festival to connect with other poets and learn from experienced writers.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for a poetry writing course, I recommend Birmingham Adult Education Service; they are running a short poetry writing course, 10 hours split over four sessions.
If you need additional help, you can always contact me for support and guidance.
I am looking to start a poetry writing and performance group later in the year. If you are interested and would like to stay informed of poetry news and updates, then sign up here.
Additionally, if you are a beginning poet in search of a mentor, then send me an email, and we can arrange a discovery call.
References
- Benjamin Zephaniah, Biography
- Collins, Tony (2008) “University honour for Doug Eliis“, Birmingham Mail, 11 July 2008
- Benjamin Zephaniah, The 50 greatest postwar writers: 48 TimesOnline UK
Email me at info@lifesuccesshappiness.com