The VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival isn’t just about watching poets perform—it’s an invitation to critically engage with the art form, its current trajectories, and its future possibilities. For students of creative writing and literature, these events offer a rare blend of artistic insight and practical knowledge, making them an essential part of your literary journey.
THE POETRY SCHOOL: Poetry Performance Lecture with Susannah Dickey
When: Saturday, 1pm
Where: Birmingham Hippodrome
Price: £8 / £6 for students
Susannah Dickey's contribution to this year's festival is not your standard poetry reading. Set on Hydra—a Greek island where cars are banned and stray cats weave through ancient alleyways—her performance interrogates the very fabric of romantic lyricism in the shadow of the climate crisis. Dickey forces the audience to grapple with language's limitations when the 'I' becomes insufficient in a world increasingly shaped by non-human forces. This is an eco-poetic exploration that challenges the traditional subject-object relationship in poetry, turning personal egotism into a space for collective reflection. For students interested in the intersections of environmental humanities and poetics, this is a rare chance to see theory and art collide on stage.
THE PAMPHLET HOUR: A Quiet Celebration of Small Presses
When: Friday, 7pm
Where: Birmingham Hippodrome
Price: £8 / £6 for students
Pamphlets often exist in the shadow of full-length collections, but they remain a vital part of the poetry landscape, allowing poets to experiment with form and theme in concentrated bursts. The Pamphlet Hour brings together Laurie Bolger (Makeover, Emma Press, 2024), Troy Cabida (Symmetric of Bone, Fourteen Poems, 2014), Betty Doyle (Fruits of Labour, Seren, 2024), and Ellora Sutton (Artisanal Slush, VERVE Poetry Press, 2023) to discuss the distinct possibilities of this format. Expect an honest conversation about the role of indie presses in shaping contemporary poetry and the challenges of navigating the publishing world. This event is particularly relevant for students considering the pamphlet as their first foray into publication.
MAGMA MATTERS: Navigating the Past, Present, and Future of a Literary Institution
When: Saturday, 2:30pm
Where: Birmingham Hippodrome
Price: £8 / £6 for students
Magma has long been a touchstone for poets looking to understand the evolving currents in contemporary poetry. This live iteration of the magazine offers a behind-the-scenes look at recent issues, including Obsidian and Performance, and opens up a dialogue about the direction of future editions. With poets like Elontra Hall and Sim Pereira-Madder discussing the dynamics of performance poetry, and co-editor Josiane Smith facilitating audience interaction, the session promises to be both reflective and forward-looking. The event also honors the legacy of Gboyega Odubanjo, with reviews editor Aoife Lyall spotlighting his posthumous collection, Adam. For students, this is a chance to see how literary criticism and creative practice intersect within a respected publication.
WHICHING AND PITCHING: A Practical Guide to Publishing with The Emma Press
When: Sunday, 4pm
Where: Birmingham Hippodrome
Price: £24.50 / £18.50
Publishing your first pamphlet can feel like navigating a labyrinth. This workshop, led by James Trevelyan from The Emma Press, offers practical insights into the submission process. Beyond the basics of selecting and ordering your poems, Trevelyan will demystify what editors actually look for and how to position your work within the broader literary landscape. There will be candid discussions on common mistakes, audience engagement, and the realities of indie publishing. For students contemplating the leap from workshop drafts to published works, this session provides a grounded, realistic roadmap.
For local students of creative writing, poetry, and literature, the festival offers more than just performances—it presents an opportunity to witness how contemporary poets are pushing boundaries and redefining the art form, as well as insights from editors, publishers and collectives on getting your writing published. Taking place at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the festival's lineup this year invites critical engagement with pressing themes and experimental forms.
Book Tickets if you're curious. Or just show up, take notes, and see where the words take you.
VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival is an independent festival produced by VERVE Poetry Press.
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