‘Why I Write Poetry’

I’m honoured – my essay ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ is included in this wonderful collection! (Nine Arches Press, ed Ian Humphreys)

‘What motivates poets in the 21st century? How do they find their voice? What themes and subject matters inspire them? How do they cope with set-backs and deal with success? What keeps them writing?

In Why I Write Poetry twenty-five contemporary poets reflect with insight, wit and wisdom on the writing life, each offering their distinctive take on what inspires and spurs them on to write poetry. Also - individual writing prompts to help you create your own new poetry.’

https://ninearchespress.com/publications/poetry-collections/why-i-write-poetry.html

The Poetry Society Best Books of the Year

A wonderful way to end a difficult year – ‘What Girls Do in the Dark’ selected by Pippa Hennessy as a Poetry Society Best Book of the Year!

https://poetrysociety.org.uk/poetry-news-best-books-of-the-year/
“Finally, Rosie Garland’s What Girls Do in the Dark (Nine Arches) – Garland is a true gothic polymath. This is reflected in her poetry, which roams through astrophysics, war zones, quantum theory, human biology, history, relationships and non-relationships, and more. The poems in What Girls Do in the Dark take this variety to extremes, yet somehow manage to bring concrete details and abstract ideas from all these areas together into a coherent, explosive, dazzling, gorgeous whole.”
– Pippa Hennessy is a bookseller at Five Leaves Bookshop, Nottingham.

Northern Soul’s Best Reads of 2021

Thank you Henry Normal for selecting What Girls Do in the Dark for Northern Soul’s Best Reads of 2021!

Books: Northern Soul’s Best Reads of 2021
Henry Normal, poet and writer
What Girls do in the Dark (Nine Arches Press) by Rosie Garland is my favourite poetry book of the year. Garland was a singer in the 1980s post-punk/goth band The March Violets. More recently, she’s established herself as a poet and novelist with several titles. I had the honour to read with her in Birmingham a while back, so when her new collection was released I was already interested. From the first poem I was captivated. She has a way of keeping one foot tentatively in the world we know with the other searching for a foothold in an unseen or imaginary world. I was inspired and transported by these poems in a way I’ve not experienced since first getting excited by the possibilities of poetry in my teens. I suspect it would not be good form to choose one of my poetry books for this feature but even if it was, I would choose Garland’s What Girls do in the Dark.

https://www.northernsoul.me.uk/books-northern-souls-best-reads-of-2021/

Thrilled to announce that ‘What Girls Do in the Dark’, my poetry collection with Nine Arches Press, has been shortlisted for the Polari Prize 2021, the UK’s only literary award for LGBTQ+ literature.

It’s a huge honour!

The Polari Prize 2021 shortlist:
• Dragman - Steven Appleby (Vintage)
• The Air Year - Caroline Bird (Carcanet)
• The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle - Neil Blackmore (Windmill)
• What Girls Do in the Dark - Rosie Garland (Nine Arches Press)
• The Ministry of Guidance - Golnoosh Nour (Muswell Press)
• No Modernism Without Lesbians - Diana Souhami (Head of Zeus)

Author, Polari Prize founder and Chair of Judges, Paul Burston said: “ This year’s shortlists are our most diverse ever, with a wide variety of writers working across different genres to explore the intersections between sexuality, gender, race, class, religion and more. These 12 remarkable books include tales of resilience and celebration, love and pride, exploring the LGBTQ+ experience with emotional honesty, humour, passion and joy.”

https://fmcm.co.uk/news/polari-prize-2021-shortlists-announced

Thrilled to be nominated for The Polari Prize 2021, for 'What Girls Do in the Dark'.

And such a stellar list, too!

The Polari Prize 2021 Longlists
Now in its tenth year, the Polari Prize is the UK’s first and largest LGBTQ+ book award. Established to promote writing that explores the LGBTQ+ experience, Polari also focuses on amplifying diverse voices through a series of literary events, including the regularly touring Polari Salon.

https://www.waterstones.com/category/cultural-highlights/book-awards/the-polari-prize

I thought it wasn't possible to feel any more thrilled about joining Nine Arches Press
- then I see the stunning cover of my new poetry collection, 'What Girls Do In The Dark'.
Out October 2020
https://www.ninearchespress.com/publications/poetry-collections/what-girls-do-in-the-dark.html

New collection forthcoming in October 2020 from Nine Arches Press

I’m thrilled to be on the 2020 list of Nine Arches Press!
I’m in the company of a fantastic group of poets. I couldn’t be happier.

https://www.ninearchespress.com/about-us/news.html

“Midlands-based independent poetry publisher Nine Arches Press, which achieved Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation status in 2018, will publish eleven new books of poetry in 2020, from a mix of established and emerging poets from across the UK and across the world…

Acclaimed novelist Rosie Garland will also join the 2020 list in October with her third full collection of poems What Girls Do in the Dark, a book alive with galactic, glimmering energy. Rosie’s award-winning short and long fiction, poems and essays have been widely anthologised and in 2019 she was selected by Val McDermid as one of the 10 most compelling LGBTQI+ writers working in the UK.”

Image: Poets confirmed for the Nine Arches Press 2020 list
Top: l-r: Jennifer Wong, Rishi Dastidar, Abegail Morley, Geraldine Clarkson, Nina Mingya Powles.
Bottom: l-r: Peter Kahn, Maria Taylor, Gregory Leadbetter, Rosie Garland, Kate Fox

Under the Radar, issue 21 (Summer 2018)

Includes my short story ‘Life on Earth’.

Under the Radar is a place for readers and writers alike to make new discoveries...
Our flagship magazine is at the heart of operations here at Nine Arches Press. It is a lively mix of the best up-and-coming and established poets and writers, as well as reviews and articles.

https://ninearchespress.com/magazine.html

After Sylvia Book launch - Sylvia Plath Literary Festival, Hebden Bridge

When: Friday 21st October, 7pm – midnight
Where: The Waterfront Hall, The Town Hall, Hebden Bridge

Headline Event: Launch of After Sylvia
Readings from Sally Baker, Jane Commane, Rosie Garland, Carola Luther & Eileen Wright
Festival Director Sarah Corbett and co-editor Ian Humphreys will introduce this ground-breaking anthology of newly commissioned poems and essays, featuring work from a diverse range of leading writers and emerging talent.
7pm – 9pm
Followed by disco 9pm – Midnight
Ticket: £10/8/5
This event is fully accessible
https://plathfest.co.uk/headline-event-launch-of-after-sylvia/

The Sylvia Plath Literary Festival will mark the 90th birthday of the legendary poet, and coincide with the publication of After Sylvia, an inspiring anthology of new poems and essays in celebration of her life and work. The weekend festival will feature talks, readings, workshops and events at venues across Hebden Bridge and Heptonstall.

https://plathfest.co.uk/

Beyond 100 Queer Poems with John McCullough, Rosie Garland & Stanley Iyanu

Saturday 16 July 2022, 6-7pm
Belgrade Theatre, B2
Belgrade Square,
Corporation St, Coventry CV1 1GS

Tickets: £8 / £6 (concs)

The new poetry anthology 100 Queer Poems, published this summer by Vintage and edited by Mary Jean Chan and Andrew McMillan, offers just glimpse of the rich varieties of poets, poetries and histories which might fall under the umbrella of Queer. Here, we go within and beyond the confines of the anthology to present three of our most exciting queer poets – John McCullough, Rosie Garland and Stanley Iyanu.

Livestreamed and BSL interpreted
Age guideline: 14+
https://www.skylinescoventry.co.uk/events/beyond-100-queer-poems/