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

Polari Salon

G-A-Y Manchester
63 Richmond Street
Manchester
M1 3WB
7pm – 10pm

Fresh from our sell-out event at the legendary nightclub Heaven, London's multi award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon rocks up in Manchester.
A night of cabaret, comedy, poetry and performance with a literary bent.
Hosted by author Paul Burston with special guests –

Author, poet and performer Rosie Garland (‘What Girls Do In The Dark')
Award-winning author and performer Karen McLeod as Barbara Brownskirt
LGBT+ History Month Poet Laureate, publisher and performer Adam Lowe
Author Paul Magrs ('The Panda, the Cat and the Dreadful Teddy')
£8 in advance, £10 (£5 conc) cash only on the door
"The most exciting literary movement in London - crackling with energy, ideas, excitement" - Huffington Post
"Lively, funny and inspiring"- Patrick Gale
"Always fun, always thought-provoking – a guaranteed good night out" - Sarah Waters
Part of the Polari Prize Tenth Anniversary Tour, funded by Arts Council England.
PLEASE NOTE -
Tickets are being sold based on current Covid restrictions.
If restrictions are lifted on July 19, more tickets will be released.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/polari-manchester-tickets-159581856629

Polari Literary Salon / Bona to Vada your Dolly old Eek! Double bill

Fri, 22 November 2019
King Edward Street Chapel
4 King Edward Street
Macclesfield
SK10 1AB

An exclusively bona double bill from some of the best-known names in LGBT+ writing and performance in the beautifully intimate surroundings of King Edward Street Chapel. Troll on in!
Polari Literary Salon with Paul Burston
London’s award-winning LGBT+ literary salon comes to LIT. Founded in 2007 by author Paul Burston, Polari showcases the best in emerging and established LGBT+ literary talent. Named Best Cultural Event in the Co-Op Respect Loved by You Awards 2013, the salon is based at London’s Southbank Centre and also tours regularly. Tonight’s event is programmed and hosted by Burston, with guest performers including award-winning authors Rosie Garland, VG Lee and Okechukwu Nzelu.
Bona to Vada your Dolly old Eek! with Jez Dolan
Take a troll, stretch your lallies, vada the omipalones and enter the bijou world of Polari artist Jez Dolan. With music, art, and a liberal sprinkling of performing stardust, Jez creates a unique and original show using Polari as his inspiration.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/polari-literary-salon-bona-to-vada-your-dolly-old-eek-double-bill-tickets-77170074771

https://litmacc.org/

Polari at Birmingham Lit Fest

Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Centenary Square,
Broad Street,
Birmingham, B1 2EP

8 October at 19:00–21:00
Tickets: £8 / £6.40 concs
Festival Pass: Free

Polari returns to Birmingham as part of Birmingham Lit Fest and our Tenth Birthday Tour, supported by Arts Council England.

Hosted by Paul Burston with Rosie Garland, Scott Campbell, Laura Wake, Karen Mcleod and more.

Polari has come a long way from its humble beginnings above a Soho pub. Now celebrating its 10th year, the award-winning LGBT literary movement calls London’s Southbank Centre its home and tours regularly.
Tonight’s show is part of the salon’s tenth anniversary tour, funded by Arts Council England. Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston with guests Scott Campbell, Rosie Garland, Karen McLeod, Gerry Potter and Laura Wake.
In association with SHOUT festival.

https://www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org/event/polari-literary-salon/

Polari with The Time-Travelling Suffragettes!

Stein Bier Keller
Morley St,
Bradford BD7 1AJ

Friday, 7th July 2017
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Polari: The LGBT Literary Salon
Paul Burston with VG Lee, Kirsty Logan, The Time-Travelling Suffragettes and David McAlmont

Polari founder and your host for the evening, Paul Burston, will introduce acclaimed vocalist and songwriter, David McAlmont; novelist, poet and performer, Kirsty Logan; writer, singer and post-punk poet, Rosie Garland, accompanied by Eilish McEvil and award-winning author and stand-up comedian, VG Lee, for a night of thought-provoking discussion and outrageous entertainment.

https://www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/event/polari/

The first Polari of 2017, now in its tenth year!

Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston with Stella Duffy, Rosie Garland, Nathan Evans, Chris Chalmers and Ann Mann

Level 5 Function Room at Royal Festival Hall
The Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road,
SE1 8XX London

£5

You’re guaranteed mischief and sparkle as this beloved LGBT literary salon returns for its 10th year.

Stella Duffy reads from her new book, London Lies Beneath, as the first headliner appearance for Polari at Southbank Centre in 2017. Inspired by real events, this is the story of three friends, and a tragedy that will change them forever. It is also a song of south London, of working class families with hidden histories, of a bright and complex world long neglected. London Lies Beneath is a powerful and compelling novel, rich with life and full of wisdom.

Joining Stella with readings from their latest works are Rosie Garland, Nathan Evans, Chris Chalmers and Ann Mann.

London’s award-winning LGBT literary salon continues to showcase the best in emerging and established testimony to queer hearts and lives. Polari is curated and hosted by author and journalist Paul Burston.

Recommended for ages 18+

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/polari-100002

Polari On Tour

Grand Theatre, Blackpool
33 Church Street, FY1 1HT
Blackpool

20:00–22:30
Tickets £6

Part of this year's Polari National Tour, funded by Arts Council England
London's award winning LGBT literary salon Polari comes to The Grand as part of a national tour funded by Arts Council England.
Curated and hosted by author Paul Burston with guest performers representing the best in established and emerging LGBT literary talent, Polari has been described by Sarah Waters as "Always fun, always thought-provoking – a guaranteed good night out"
with readings from Rosie Garland, Jonathan Harvey, Karen Mcleod and more.

This event will be BSL interpreted

https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/polari/

Polari on Sea tour 2016

Venue: The Printworks Hastings
Where:
14 Claremont,
America Ground,
Hastings,
East Sussex
TN34 1HA

Time: 7.30 – 10.30pm

Polari returns to Hastings for a second season, funded by Arts Council England!

Opening night - Hosted by Paul Burston with Rosie Garland, VG Lee, Keith Jarrett and Nick Maes.

Booking soon.

Please note: this event is wheelchair accessible and will be BSL interpreted

"A stimulating and fun night out" – Hastings Independent

http://www.polariliterarysalon.co.uk/Polari/Polari_on_Sea.html

NOTTINGHAM Writers' Studio
25 Hockley,
Nottingham, NG1 1FH
7.30pm – 10.30pm
With Rosie Garland, Gregory Woods, Hayley Green and VG Lee

Hosted by Paul Burston with readings from Gregory Woods, Rosie Garland, Vg Lee and Hayley Green.
Part of this year's Polari National Tour, funded by Arts Council England

This event will be BSL interpreted by Elvire Roberts

£8 (£5 conc) from
http://nottinghamwritersstudio.co.uk/event/polari-literary-salon-event-space/

0115 837224