Small Presses. Big Impact.

Are you a poet (or any other writer) curious about independent publishing? With arts funding shrinking and costs rising, taking your work further can feel daunting but independent presses are creating exciting opportunities for writers.

This panel brings together three leading UK poetry publishers to share their insights, experiences and how their presses help writers reach new audiences.

Clive Birnie of Burning Eye Books has been publishing performance poets since 2012, championing both emerging and established writers and connecting them with audiences often overlooked by traditional presses. Alongside him, Jake Wild Hall, co-founder of Bad Betty Press, is known for supporting bold, risk-taking poetry while curating dynamic live literature events across the UK. Completing the line-up is Aaron Kent of Broken Sleep Books, whose work focuses on widening access to poetry by publishing politically engaged, formally adventurous writing and amplifying underrepresented voices.

Whether it’s your first time exploring publishing or you’re already on the journey, this event aims to offer advice, insight, and ideas to help your writing reach the audience it deserves.

The session will be chaired by Caleb Simon, TS Eliot Prize young critic and former Young Worcestershire Poet Laureate.