Join Megan Pattie, Rob Walton and Ilisha Purcell talk about their experiences navigating the challenges of the literary world as a poet. Learn how to sustain a creative practice, find publishing opportunities, and build a supportive community.
£3 per person (plus booking fee). Suitable for ages 16+
MEGAN PATTIE is based in the North East and is a previous Foyle Young Poet of the Year. She works for the Poetry Book Society, and is known for her weekly e-column, Meg's Monday Muse. Her debut pamphlet Tracts was published in 2021 by The Black Light Engine Room Press, and her debut collection, Bertha Comes Down, will be published by Broken Sleep Books in February 2026.
ROB WALTON is a versatile and experienced writer whose work spans poetry, short fiction, scripts, and non-fiction for both children and adults. With a deep love for language and storytelling, Rob has been published widely in books, magazines, and anthologies across the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, and Aotearoa New Zealand.
ILISHA PURCELL is an award-winning Sri Lankan-Scottish poet from Newcastle upon Tyne. She was part of the inaugural Poets of Colour Incubator Programme and was a Young Creative Associate with New Writing North. Ilisha was a Poet in Residence at the 2025 StAnza Poetry Festival winning the Futurist Award. She has been shortlisted for the James Berry Prize and Nine Arches’ Primers. Her work has appeared in publications such as Bi+ Lines Anthology, Butcher’s Dog, and Third Space Anthology.
This event is part of our WRITE Festival which takes place throughout the whole of September. Enjoy a programme of unmissable events, workshops and performances!
