Adam is part of SPINE Festival 2024, along with an incredible team of poets they’ll be leading workshops and arts activities for children in Libraries and schools across London this Spring.

Describe yourself in 3 words…

Playful, messy, grumpy 

What inspires you?

Heavy metal. And heavy metal flavours wherever I can find them. Any sense of awe and chaos. I do nature whenever I can. Trees are pretty heavy metal, so are the East London canals. 

Tell us about your worst ever gig?

I did a gig in a pub that had been moved upstairs from its basement venue, and the upstairs punters did NOT want to listen to poetry. So, while there were a good number of people listening, the ‘just in for a pint’ crowd were actively competing with us. And fair enough. They eventually cleared out and a man put a bin on his head and got the audience to blow up and release balloons while he banged on the bin with a stick and screamed his poems. One of the best performances I’ve ever seen. 

What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?

Performers putting on ‘Poetry cadence’. A specific voice and intonation that is seen as ‘poetry’. There’s so much scope for weird and fantastic brilliance in this medium. It holds so much, from monologues to cabaret, from rap to free verse, and yet a sort of unifying style can easily catch so many new writers. Poetry has the potential to be really anarchic, hence the bin-on-head man, and that seems to be lacking recently. Maybe since everyone has a camera in every audience, it’s less of a safe space. Ban smartphones at poetry gigs! At music gigs! Everywhere! (Except in the cab where I’m writing this, please) 

Whose words do you love at the moment?

At the moment I read more to my son than to myself so I’m currently a firm Julia Donaldson fan. And when I’m out, I’m loving Hearing Things by Angela Leighton.

It’s about the sounds we hear when we read. The sound of our interior language. Forms of Active Listening are interesting to me, maybe because I’m usually such a chatter box.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Read and write more, perform less. It’s important to keep a healthy relationship with audience-approval. If you’re not writing for yourself, the fun of making new stuff can dry up. Also, drink more water, eat more vegetables. 

How do you relate to the themes of magic & imagination?

Poetry is magic. We are holding attention reshaping space and intention, creating small worlds and new connections. From nothing. 

What do you enjoy most about working with children, families and libraries?

I loved the library when I was a child. So many books! I love being a small part of that. 

Would you rather be able to travel 50 years into the past or 50 years into the future?

Neither. The present is the one for me. But if I have to choose, the past please. I don’t want to know what the future holds. Where’s the fun in that? 

About Adam Kammerling

Adam has been delivering poetry, rap and spoken-word theatre workshops for over ten years. As his own practice has widened so has his education work; producing poetry books, theatre shows, podcasts and dance pieces. Reaching emerging artists, young people in schools, artists with specific learning needs, and elderly and isolated artists.

He is the creative producer of The Nest, a project established with the Fostering Network, which delivers creative workshops to young people who are a part of the Mockingbird fostering program.

Insta: @adam_kammerling
Twitter: @adamkammerling
Website: adamkammerling.co.uk

About SPINE Festival 2024

Describe yourself in 3 words…

No Frills

Genuine

Understanding

What inspires you?

Everyone with something genuinely meaningful to share or express, across all professions and platforms. 

Tell us about your worst ever gig?

Hmmmm…an illustration commission of a single building with a lot of similar windows, I’m very easily tired of repetitive drawing…! However it was also good at the end, when it was finished.. 

Every difficult challenge brings something to learn from, even if it was just the sheer relief that it is completed!

What’s your number one artist pet peeve?

Assumptions that your pictures are quick or easy for you to make, or that it is down to ‘talent’ and not ‘proper work‘. I can honestly say that it is not all whimsical illustration desks and birdsong, much of the process is a total struggle and a test of your motivation and perseverance.

Whose words do you love at the moment?

The Letters of Vincent Van Goch, (Penguin Classics edition). He was a brilliant writer, so much expressed so deeply from the heart, I highlighted so many lines.

For authors, I love Olivia Hawker’s writing, especially one for the blackbird one for the crow. 

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t get bogged down in the detail so much, it is better to do and to share, than to do but hide it away… Believe!

How do you relate to the themes of magic & imagination?

When you’re struggling to bring a piece together, and then it starts to emerge before your eyes, when you’re about to throw in the towel, that feels like magic- the feeling of being happy with a piece of work and being able to move onto a new one.

Imagination for me is being able to put yourself in the mind and feeling of a character, whatever animate or inanimate thing that might be. For me it isn’t fantastical rockets or castles and so called made up or imaginary stuff. It’s very much imagining stories in real and everyday life.

What do you enjoy most about working with children, families and libraries?

Children are just brilliant. Children are so giving in their willingness to take part. It is incredible to see eyes light up when you give children the freedom to express themselves however they wish to do so through the magic of their own, unlimited imagination.

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An animator or illustrator. Trust in your inner voice!

About Nancy Ellis

Nancy Ellis, has over 20 years industry experience, working as both an illustrator and animator, since attaining her BA at Camberwell College, London.

Nancy’s journey into producing animation for TV began with Catchphrase, (a popular UK TV show back in the day!), and was on hand at the recording studio to make last minute adjustments or create new animations during filming.

Then on to a West London production company, working for clients including the BBC, Nickelodeon & Fox Kids. Nancy’s position as Animation Director included developing concepts for pitches, designing characters, storyboarding, animating & leading animation teams through to final production.

After several happy years, Nancy began working for herself and teamed up with London based agencies to produce animations for major brands, always with an emphasis on character design and colourfully, illustrated backgrounds.

This led to opening her own animation studio, MightyPow.com with Lee Ellis, and a long standing collaboration with the brilliant people at In Tune for Life, (a UK registered charity), providing short animated films to assist their global health campaigns.

Insta: @nancyellis.co.uk
Website: www.nancyellis.co.uk

About SPINE Festival 2024

Zohab is part of SPINE Festival 2024, along with an incredible team of poets they’ll be leading workshops and arts activities for children in Libraries and schools across London this Spring.

Describe yourself in 3 words…

Go Go Go

What inspires you?

Hearing and reading many of the poets I am blessed to come into contact with. I also find the work and application of many of my students both adult and children a great source of being at one with my craft. Seeing other poets I have known for a long time and worked with getting the recognition they deserve is also very uplifting.

Tell us about your worst ever gig?

I was part of a 3 person spoken word show in the 90s that did an Edinburgh Festival run. On one of the nights , there were about 7 people in the audience ( which was always going to be tricky) but for some reason,  even though we were all actually pretty good with our sets, we couldn’t lift or get a reaction from this crowd. It felt more and more like a wake with every minute. Afterwards I wrote a message to myself about this ( a kind of counter-spell) I still carry it around with me today,  in case this Bermuda Triangle of reaction ever occurs again!

What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?

That at some gigs there are more people on stage than in the audience (controversial I know) at my regular nights I’ve run over the years express excess, 1995 – 2013, & Poetry & Poppadums, 2004 to present I usually have 4 poets max and 50-100 people there to see it! (my kind of ratio).

Whose words do you love at the moment?

Oo so many words to love. Paul Cree, Carine Harb, Hannah Lowe, Skye Radford, Holly McNish and Lemn Sissay’s to name buy a few.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

I wouldn’t. My younger self had the most amazing and fun time forging ahead in the world of poetry, making so many friends and wonderful memories along the way. I won’t want to do anything that steps on the butterfly of history that could change the past.

How do you relate to the themes of magic & imagination?

I totally relate to them. As a kid Sci-fi and fantasy books were my fav. I have two wonderful daughters who also thrived on that genre, so I’ve pretty much been immersed in that theme all my life.

What do you enjoy most about working with children, families and libraries?

Books and people who love books are the best combination. Libraries are a gift and a god send. My kids read so many books, if we’d bought every one of them I’d have needed to plant a money Orchard! I love the energy kids bring, time in their company is a real honour.

If you could spend a day in a fictional world, what world would it be?

There are so many wonderful fictional worlds. In the morning I’d have like to be ‘Emily’s friend in Bagpuss, and hide in the shop with her and just watch everything come alive. In the afternoon, I’d hang out in a Roger Robinson Poetry anthology and feel its sounds, characters and memories on my skin. Night time would be given over to running with the crowds in epic novels like Doctor Shivago.

About Paul Lyalls

One time Poet in Residence for the Roald Dahl Family & Museum. Paul has worked with Arsenal FC , The 2012 London Olympics, Gladtonbury, Spurs & even NASA!  

His work appears in over 30 books and collections and he recently had a poem he wrote  about Stephen Lawrence accepted in the World Wide anthology ‘Black Lives Matter’ 100 poems to change the world.

Michael Rosen describes Paul as ‘ A kind of magic that makes you see the world in a different way’

Twitter: @paullyalls

Website: www.paul-lyalls.uk

ABOUT SPINE FESTIVAL 2024

Alice is part of SPINE Festival 2024, along with an incredible team of poets they’ll be leading workshops and arts activities for children in Libraries and schools across London this Spring.

Describe yourself in 3 words…

Awkward lil’ geek.

What inspires you?

People and art. And people making art. In a living, breathing, needful way.

Tell us about your worst ever gig?

I can’t think of one, which likely means I’ve blocked it out. Probably for the best!

What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?

As a reader, I do have a strange aversion to the word ‘poem’ or ‘poet’ appearing within poems, in a self-referencing way. I think it’s because, for me, it kind of punctures the world or moment that the writer’s created and takes me out of it; it makes me aware I’m reading a poem. Though, like all these things, there are always exceptions to the rule. And it’s all just a matter of taste at the end of the day.

Whose words do you love at the moment?

Rachael Allen, Ada Limón, Ocean Vuong, Kim Addonizio, Joe Carrick-Varty…

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Risk it.

How do you relate to the themes of magic & imagination?

The magic of imagination. The power we all possess through our imaginations to invent and transport and redefine.

What do you enjoy most about working with children, families and libraries?

I think it’s the bringing together of community through creativity. Libraries have always felt like a place of sanctuary for me, somewhere I feel comfortable and safe but also somewhere that feels boundless.

Whenever I get to work with children, I’m always struck by how often they’re seemingly able to write completely uninhibited. They put pen to paper and start, and they write immaculately until they get to the end of whatever it is they’re writing. It rarely happens like that for me; the pages of my notebooks are full of false starts, fits of ink, and crossed out scribbles.

Working with families is a real joy. When I was an Artist-in-Residence for SPINE Festival 2023, alongside wonderful storyteller Bernadette Russell, we had the privilege of running an intimate group workshop with families. The session was intended for children but only a few came on that day, so we invited parents and siblings to join too. It was so special to get to see a meeting of generations through creativity, across the page.

If you could only have one sandwich for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Probably some kind of grilled cheese situation.

ABOUT ALICE FRECKNALL

Alice Frecknall is a poet, short fiction writer, and fine artist. Her debut poetry collection, Somewhere Something is Burning,is published by Out-Spoken Press (2021). Her writing has been widely anthologised, including in The London Magazine, The Stinging Fly, berlin lit, fourteen poems,and bath magg, and was most recently shortlisted for The London Magazine Poetry Prize 2023 and Out-Spoken Prize for Poetry 2023. 

Insta: @alice_frecknall
Twitter: @alice_frecknall
Website: www.alicefrecknall.com

ABOUT SPINE FESTIVAL 2024

Jasmin is part of SPINE Festival 2024, along with an incredible team of poets they’ll be leading workshops and arts activities for children in Libraries and schools across London this Spring.

Describe yourself in 3 words…

Socially anxious extrovert

What inspires you?

Disabled people being badass, women being badass, people of colour being badass, immigrants being badass, and any brilliant writing that makes my palms tingle.

Tell us about your worst ever gig?

I showed up with poems for 7 to 11 year olds and found an audience of mostly 3 to five year olds. Like a true amateur I had not prepared anything as backup. Tried desperately to be as big and flamboyant as I could to compensate but the poetry went straight over the little ones’ heads.

What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?

Rhyming using the exact same words. Doesn’t happen often but always makes me inwardly cringe.

Whose words do you love at the moment?

I keep going back to Carol Ann Duffy, Patience Agbabi and Joseph Coelho. Limiting it to just one is just cruel.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Try everything; something will stick eventually. Call your friends. People who say they love you probably do, so believe them. Try not to worry so much; things will start to make more sense after 25. When in doubt, jump on a bouncy castle, ride a roller coaster, watch some Winnie the Pooh, or do something your child self loved – she needs love too.

How do you relate to the themes of magic & imagination?

Escaping into imagination land was my way out of an abusive and traumatic upbringing (climbing up the Faraway Tree, and going on my own Pokemon adventures were particular favourites). I still retreat to imagination land today to help cope with difficult times in life, like not being able to sleep at 3am. Also, magic + imagination = Disney = one of my favourite things.

What do you enjoy most about working with children, families and libraries?

Watching families make meaningful memories through creating art and having fun together. There’s nothing more precious. Also, children say the most insightful, quirky, and hilarious things – I treasure every one.

Do you prefer breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Definitely dinner. You can have breakfast for dinner. But you usually don’t have enough appetite to appreciate dinner for breakfast. More options = a happier me.

About Jasmin Thien

Jasmin Thien was born and raised in Brunei before coming to the UK in 2017 to read an undergraduate degree in Education, English, Drama and the Arts at the University of Cambridge.

As a fully blind artist of colour, her work focuses on narratives of marginalization and the nuances of occupying space between various intersectionalities. Some of her poems will feature in the Spin Anthology published by Otter Barry Books in spring 2024 – her debut into publication.

Besides writing and performing poetry, she also works as an actor, playwright, stand up comedian and workshop facilitator.

Insta: @jasmin.thien

Twitter: @jasmin.thien

ABOUT SPINE FESTIVAL 2024

Desree is part of SPINE Festival 2024, along with an incredible team of poets they’ll be leading workshops and arts activities for children in Libraries and schools across London this Spring.

Describe yourself in 3 words…

Passionate, awkward, and silly! 

What inspires you?

Everything and everyone. Daily, I get to meet people who are trying to make the world better for the people around them and that pushes me to do better. That paired with a fire soca playlist.  

Tell us about your worst ever gig?

I was in New York and must have found the only poetry night in the city where the vibes were… hostile… so I went up, performed a poem called Black Girl Magic (to no applause) and high tailed it out of there. 

What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?

When people say they can’t write poems or that they don’t like poetry! Firstly, everyone is a poet! Some of the most beautiful and profound things I have ever heard have come from people who wouldn’t call themselves a poet. And secondly, there’s so much poetry in the world, so how can you dislike it all?! You may not like what they taught you in GCSE English, but there is so much more to poetry than William Wordsworth (no offence!)

Whose words do you love at the moment?

Lena Khalaf Tuffaha.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

That love is magical and healing and breath-taking so give some to yourself.

How do you relate to the themes of magic & imagination?

I try to find the magic in the everyday. Like when you arrive to the station and the tube is just pulling in – magic. When my nephew runs and jumps into my arms when he sees me – magic. When the battery in your headphones runs out just as you reach your front door – magic!  

What do you enjoy most about working with children, families, and libraries?

The possibility! It feels as though anything is possible because every visit is filled with different people, from different walks of life, trying to get something different out of the workshop.

What’s one part of your daily routine that you wouldn’t give up?

My morning scroll! I know it’s bad, but that 15 minutes before my alarm goes again, gets me up rather than falling back asleep and being grumpy till 3pm!  

About Desree

Desree, an award-winning spoken word artist, facilitator, and producer, has held prestigious roles such as Poet in Residence for Glastonbury 2022 and TEDx Speaker.

Beyond performances, Desree’s work graces publications like Joy/Us, Wetgrain Poetry, and she has been featured on Life and Rhymes with Benjamin Zephaniah. Desree’s diverse contributions also extend to her role as a commissioned playwright, curator of live events, and visual media. 

Her pamphlet “I Find My Strength In Simple Things” was published by Burning Eye Books in 2021, and her debut collection slated for release in 2025 with Bad Betty Press. 

Insta: @dezziiee_
X: @dezziiee_
website: www.iamdesree.co.uk.

About spine festival LITE 2024: