Salena Godden ‘The Lockdown EP’

Released by Nymphs & Thugs, Friday 8 May 2020

This is already a familiar narrative. Society has imploded around us and the world has changed irreversibly, right before our eyes. So, who do we turn to…? Salena Godden, that’s who. A pioneer of the UK spoken word scene for a quarter of a century, she is perfectly placed to hold our hand and soundtrack the lockdown.

With her apocalyptic poetry that already rallied against climate change and populist governments, she’s charging headfirst into the current crisis with poetry that’ll be firmly etched in the history books. In this carefully curated set of five timely pieces we explore a maze of other worlds; one where dutiful wives become unhinged; where we stockpile baked beans to swap for books; where nurses are angels, hospitals are churches and Goody Proctor has been seen jogging without a face mask.

‘The Lockdown EP’ will be released digitally by Nymphs & Thugs, Friday 8 May and is available to pre-order via their Bandcamp site now.

50% of profits will be donated to NHS Charities, with the hope that it’ll boost depleted PPE stock and also go towards providing mental health support for NHS staff.

READ MORE: WWW.SALENAGODDEN.CO.UK

READ MORE: WWW.NYMPHSANDTHUGS.NET

I’m excited to share the artwork for the cover of my debut novel #MrsDeathMissesDeath which will be published January 2021 by Canongate @canongatebooks

Mrs Death Misses Death has been described by the publishers as an electrifying, genre- and form-defying fire-starter of a novel. Hannah Knowles, Senior Commissioning Editor at Canongate, acquired World rights to Salena Godden’s debut fiction from Crystal Mahey-Morgan at OWN IT! Canongate will publish Mrs Death Misses Death January 2021, RRP £14.99 hardback.

The book is now up and available to pre-order from your favourite local indie bookshops and also Waterstones and Amazon

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk

The first batch of early proof copies just arrived and are in the post to a handful of you, let me know if you get one and tag us #mrsdeathmissesdeath

Wolf Willeford, a troubled young writer, is well acquainted with death, but until now hadn’t met Death in person — a black, working-class woman who shape-shifts and does her work unseen. Enthralled by her stories, Wolf becomes Mrs Death’s scribe, and begins to write her memoirs. Using their desk as a vessel and conduit, Wolf travels across time and place with Mrs Death to witness deaths of past and present and discuss what the future holds for humanity. As the two reflect on the losses they have experienced — or, in the case of Mrs Death, facilitated — their friendship grows into a surprising affirmation of hope, resilience and love. All the while, despite her world-weariness, Death must continue to hold humans’ fates in her hands, appearing in our lives when we least expect her . . .

As Godden swoops between literary forms in Mrs Death and Wolf’s interactions, they spark questions about class, race, gender and mental health. And ultimately, while mortality lies at the heart of the novel, Mrs Death Misses Death is a bold and visionary affirmation of hope, resilience and love.

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/canongate-pre-empts-salena-goddens-visionary-debut-novel-1111251

Salena Godden Asks If Anybody Is Out There - Google Arts & Culture

Details: wwww.salenagodden.co.uk

LIVEwire returns to Byline Festival in Sussex for the third year running

Our ‘LIVEwire’ Salon is a proven hit at the festival, and this year we have no fewer than twelve renegades and rebels, poets and artists, performing for you over the weekend.

Byline is a unique and dynamic festival which celebrates independent journalism and freedom of speech, whilst also targeting corruption and bias in the media, as well as prejudice in wider society. This year’s festival sees Pussy Riot return for another stunning headline set, as well as a huge range of talks, workshops, screenings, performances and more. Click here for more info and tickets. Byline festival starts midday on Friday 23rd August — Monday 26th August, and takes place at Pippingford Park Manor, Nutley, Uckfield — It’s about 1 hour from London or Brighton.

I’m very excited to be the Byline Festival Poet Laureate for a 3rd year. Byline is outstanding, uniting truth seekers and truth speakers, the people that stand up and speak out for injustice. 2019’s LIVEwire poets reflect this, we are bringing together an eclectic and exciting group of poets. We have poets that raise the roof, emerging artists, rising stars and established names, poets that I feel inspire and challenge us all, poets that come from a place of lived experience, truth and courage. This is the summer of rebellion! Pessimism is for Lightweights!

Now, without further ado, let me introduce you to the class of 2019 and some poets and artists that’ll rock your BYLINE FESTIVAL weekend….

We have not one but TWO stars of the excellent 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE collective — Sunnah Kahn, a Scottish Pakistani poet living in London, Sunnah writes poems of belonging and displacement. When she’s not producing exceptional documentaries, she’s either standing on her head or performing with her poetry collective 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE. Sheena Patel — London-based poet, and part of the exciting and much spoken about collective, 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE. Sheena’s writing is a surrealist interweaving of sex and myth, and she can be a little bit rude sometimes … which we all love!

Connor Byrne is a rising star, a poet and performer from Brighton, now living in London. Their work explores gender and the relationships we have with others and the world. They have performed nationally and internationally, at festivals, competed in slams and self published two pamphlets. Thier work is heart breaking, brutal and beautiful.

Oli Spleen is an extraordinary and courageous artist. He is family to me and a unique poet, author, musician and activist. He is constantly evolving and re-inventing himself, this year we have invited Oli to bring some of his music to the LIVEwire stage. Oli released his second solo album ‘Gaslight Illuminations’ this year. It was a tribute to his recently deceased father and also inspired by the emotional fallout of a toxic relationship. It has been described as “a gloriously dark and haunting work” and “a mesmerising work from an artist who has embraced his maturity. We cannot wait to hear this fresh and powerful work at Byline!

Joelle Taylor is a force of nature and so well loved and respected by me and by everyone on the UK poetry scene. A poetry sister of mine since the nineties, her poetry is a powerful rallying cry. She is an award-winning poet, playwright, author and editor who has recently completed a world tour with her latest collection ‘Songs My Enemy Taught Me’. Joelle is widely anthologised, the author of 3 full poetry collections and 3 plays and is currently completing her début book of short stories ‘The Night Alphabet’.

Repeat Beat Poet is a new face to the LIVEwire crew, a powerful performer, a broadcaster and hip hop poet, PJ fuses traditional poetics with hip hop culture to capture and extend moments of time, thought, and feeling. He produces and hosts monthly poetry events Boomerang and Pen-Ting and his radio show #TheRepeatBeatBroadcast, and is a house emcee with hip hop label maginary Millions.

Oakley is an extraordinary young talent, originally from the West Midlands, they’ve received playwright development from Birmingham REP and gained a place on Royal Court’s playwrights programme. Oakley has performed nationwide, has been published by #Queer in the US and has a forthcoming collection ‘The Rainbow as a Bleeding Sky’ on Verve Press.

Logan & Manley bring some pure mischief, sunshine and rebellion from the creative northern town of Hebden Bridge, Logan & Manley are full of irie beats, soulful vibes and lyrics that have a message for us all. Live, they loop a sonic landscape of dynamic vocals, keys, guitars and electric drums creating a space for everyone to get lost in the magic of their music. Expect to feel the love from the tips of your toes to the top of your head.

Maria Ferguson is a LIVEwire favourite. A stunning multi award-winning theatre maker from Essex, Maria is also a highly acclaimed poet. Her début one-woman show ‘Fat Girls Don’t Dance’ won Best Spoken Word Show at the 2017 Saboteur Awards, and follow-up ‘Essex Girl’ won Show Of The Week at VAULT 2019. It tours from September to November 2019.

Michelle Fisher is a power house. She’s a writer and performer from Glasgow. Michelle was a resident artist at Roundhouse from 2017–18 and has been commissioned by the likes of BBC and Huffington Post. Her work is brutally honest and tender, she explores wider societal issues, including class and poverty, and how they impact on our daily lives. Michelle hosts the LIVEwire stage on Friday night.

Matt Abbott is co-curator and the organisation behind LIVEwire. Matt is a poet, educator and activist from Wakefield, Matt formed spoken word label Nymphs & Thugs in 2015 and fronts alternative act Skint & Demoralised. His ‘Two Little Ducks’ show explores the working-class Leave vote and the refugee crisis. Matt will host the LIVEwire stage on Sunday night.

Salena Godden, that’s me, poet laureate of Byline Festival and co-curator of LIVEwire. Author of poetry collections Under The Pier (Nasty Little Press); Fishing in the Aftermath: Poems 1994–2014 (Burning Eye); literary childhood memoir Springfield Road (Unbound) and Shade published in groundbreaking best-seller The Good Immigrant (Unbound) My Nymphs and Thugs ‘LIVEwire’ album was shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award. ‘Pessimism Is For Lightweights — 13 pieces of Courage and Resistance was published by Rough Trade Books in 2018. The title poem is on display as public art at the Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol.

You’ll find us all at BYLINE FESTIVAL 2019 … See you all here and there!

Tickets: https://www.bylinefestival.com

Salena Godden reads ‘Pessimism is for Lightweights’ on BBC’s ‘Telling Tales’ — July 9th, 11am — Salena Godden reading poetry and talking about books and courage and resistance. We take a look back at my 25 year career and adventures so far. This programme features early work, my dystopian BBC radio play ‘A Valentine at Waterloo’ Plus the BBC documentary about work in progress and debut novel ‘Mrs Death Misses Death’, it’s a packed show and all happening over on #BBCRadio4Extra on air Tuesday July 9th. I really enjoyed making this special show and hope you like it too!

PESSIMISM IS FOR LIGHTWEIGHTS!

Please tune in at https://bbc.in/2IZ

New column, Salena Godden for Byline Times

“All over the world, every morning, we open our notebooks and hearts and share our perspectives, our fear and grief, our hope and solutions, to try to spread the word, we all want to save the planet, save the animals, save the bees and the trees and save our human rights and humanity.

On the ground and out on tour I am riding a wave of productivity and connectivity. I am recognising how much people want to have a chat and a hug with me after my shows, this is new, the hugging is new. I don’t mind it and feel it is a sign of these times. We are all seeking alignment and connection…”

READ MORE HERE: https://bylinetimes.com/2019/05/24/pessimism-is-for-lightweights-teenage-dreams-in-tumultuous-times/

FOYLES: Poets Helen Calcutt, Peter Raynard, Salena Godden and Anthony Anaxagorou come together for the London launch of Verve Poetry Press ‘Eighty Four’ a courageous new poetry collection in aid of suicide prevention organisation CALM — Wednesday 3rd April, Foyles, Charing Cross Road — Proceeds of ticket sales and books sales all go to CALM! Hope to see you all there! More details on the Foyles website…

Eighty Four: A Poetry Anthology in aid of CALM

BBC Radio 4 - Poetry Please, Salena Godden

Salena Godden curates an episode of Poetry Please and chooses some of her favourite pieces for Roger McGough — A selection of timeless poems of courage and resistance, protest and rebellion, poetry of magic and hedonism, musicality and tenderness.