Literary Evening: Nature Writing, Poetry Book Launch & Readings

About

Enjoy a delightful evening of poetry and nature writing readings from prize winning writers and poets including nature writer Jane Joseph, South Downs poet James Simpson, and the Unicorn Writers.

James Simpson lives in the South Downs. He is a Jerwood/Arvon award winner and prize-winner in the Thomas Hardy Society's James Gibson Memorial Competition. A poet and naturalist, he worked as a ranger and field ecologist at Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve. He is the author of The Untenanted Room, Agenda Editions 2012 and The Rhyme of the Reddlemen's Daughter, Actaeon Press 2018. James will be reading from his new poetry collection 'Map of Lost Cuckoos'.

Jane Joseph will be reading from her new book 'That Sun of Mine – Stories of an Australian Nature'. Jane has worked for the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife service as a ranger and botanist, The Herbarium in the Sydney Botanic Garden and the Australian Museum of Natural History. In the UK she was employed by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology and together with her husband have created a native British wildflower meadow and run courses for Sussex Wildlife Trust.

The Unicorn Writers first met in the Unicorn Inn, Heyshott over ten years ago. Since then, they have achieved great success with work being published in The London Magazine, Stand, Agenda, Acumen, Poetry Ireland and The Clearing to name a few. They have also had pamphlets and books published with the Salmon Poetry Press, Indigo Press and Hedgehog Poetry Press. Prizes include work shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and the winners of the Cornwall Poetry Prize and Morrab Library, Patricia Eschen Poetry Prize. The Unicorn Writers will be reading from and launching their 'Unicorn Poetry Anthology'.

This event will be taking place in our 16th century barn, known as the Field Studies Centre. A bar will be available on the evening, offering wine and soft drinks for purchase.