Bi+ Lines Poetry Launch and Open Mic!

Join us to celebrate the launch of the first ever anthology of bi+ poets. Hosted by the book's editor and poet Helen Bowell, at this event we will hear from contributors Len Lukowski and Ilisha Thiru Purcell as they explore in-betweenness.

Published by LGBTQ+ press fourteen poems, Bi+ Lines collects new poems by more than 40 poets, ranging from well-known to brand new voices from around the world. Themed around the idea of in-betweenness, these poems look at love and acceptance, at biphobia and belonging, at families and trust, and at how we can use poetry to express our desires, fears, and hopes. With new work from poets including Troy Cabida, Jen Campbell, Golnoosh Nourpanah, Shivanee Ramlochan, Jake Wild Hall and more, Bi+ Lines offers an insight into diverse stories that are often erased. Order the book here.

This launch event is open to everyone, but it will also include an open mic for bi+ poets only! That means people who identify under the bi+ umbrella (including, but not limited to, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, queer and questioning). We invite you to share one poem about in-betweenness (but you can interpret that very loosely indeed), lasting no longer than 3 minutes max. Arrive from 6.40pm to sign up. If you're unsure whether you "count" as bi+, you probably do. See this page for more.

Access information

This event can be BSL interpreted upon request. Just drop Helen an email at bi.poets.project [at] gmail [dot] com to request an interpreter with at least 3 weeks' notice, and we'll book one for you, no questions asked. Don't be shy - the Bi+ Lines Project has funding for this, and they are keen to use it! If you don't let them know in advance, they can't guarantee it will be interpreted.

All are welcome but please note it's likely that there will be difficult content and adult themes shared at this event - 16+ recommended.

More about the poets:

Len Lukowski is a writer and performer based in Glasgow. His work has appeared in Magma, Extra Teeth, and Wasafiri. His debut pamphlet, The Bare Thing, was published by Broken Sleep Books in 2022.

Ilisha Thiru Purcell is a poet from Newcastle upon Tyne. Her work has been published in Popshot, Butcher’s Dog, and by Dear Damsels. She is a Young Creative Associate with New Writing North and part of Brown Girls Write. Instagram: @ilishadoespoetry

More about the project:

Bi+ Lines is a project for bi+ poets that explores ideas of in-betweenness, funded by Arts Council England. Bi+ Lines ran writing workshops for bi+ poets in spring 2023 and an anthology of bi+ poets with publisher fourteen poems is forthcoming this autumn. Find out more about this project at helenbowell.co.uk/bi-lines

If you have any questions or access requirements, drop Helen a line at bi.poets.project [at] gmail [dot] com, or get in touch with Lighthouse Bookshop at books@lighthousebookshop.com