Enjoy fabulous performances from a diverse and talented line-up of LGBTQ+ writers. Hosted by bestselling author and journalist Paul Burston, the evening will showcase the work of acclaimed and award-winning novelist Okechukwu Nzelu, trans, non-binary, neurodivergent writer and cabaret artist Hook, and writer, poet and March Violets singer Rosie Garland.
The event will start at 7pm with a 15-minute break, approx finish time 8.45pm. Followed at 9pm by Out + Loud LGBTQ+ open mic.
About Polari Founded by author and journalist Paul Burston in a bar in Soho in 2007, award-winning literary salon Polari showcases and celebrates the best in LGBTQ+ poetry and writing. The Polari Prize is the UK’s only book prize for LGBTQ+ writing. It comprises three awards: Book of the Year, Debut book and children’s/YA prize.
Paul Burston is curator and host of award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari and founder of the Polari Prize book awards for LGBTQ+ writers. In 2016, he featured in the British Council’s Global List of ‘33 visionary people promoting freedom, equality and LGBT rights around the world’. Paul is the author of six novels and five non-fiction books, and the editor of two short-story collections. His bestselling memoir We Can Be Heroes: A Survivor’s Story was published in 2023.
Rosie Garland writes poetry, long and short fiction, and sings with post-punk band The March Violets. Poetry collection What Girls Do in the Dark (Nine Arches Press) was shortlisted for the Polari Prize 2021. Her latest novel, The Fates (Quercus) is a retelling of the Greek myth of the Fates, and her first collection of short fiction Your Sons & Your Daughters Are Beyond is out now (Fly On The Wall Press). In 2023, she was made Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and Val McDermid has named her one of the most compelling LGBT+ writers in the UK today.
Hook is a trans, non-binary, neurodivergent mythical creature, writer, and cabaret artist. They use the pronouns they/them and hehe/hym. Hook is currently touring their new cabaret-comedy The Wheel of Nouns and has also previously written and then performed their work with Queer Arts at Pride 2024, Polari Literary Salon at Theatre 41, Roots Theatre at The York Theatre Royal, and The Wonderhaus Cabaret at The Wardrobe Theatre.
Dr Okechukwu Nzelu FRSL won a Northern Writers’ Award from New Writing North in 2015. His debut novel The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney won a Betty Trask Award and his second novel Here Again Now was shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature Encore Award, the Polari Prize, the Jhalak Prize and the Diverse Book Awards. He is a non-executive director of ALCS and CLA, and Lecturer in Creative Writing at Lancaster University. In 2024 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Access and Covid safety measures: if you have specific access needs or queries and/or prefer to be seated away from other audience members as a Covid safety measure, please contact our Admin at: [email protected] with your request.
Date: Saturday 10 May
Time: 7pm-8.45pm
Location: Cellar, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street HD1 2SP
Tickets: £10 (£8 conc), free for University of Huddersfield staff and students & essential carers
Early Bird tickets have now ended
Age Guidance: 16+
Access Guide: https://www.accessable.co.uk/huddersfield-literature-festival/access-guides/the-cellar
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