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Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features making his debut is the wonderful Half Beard Half Poet.

A product of the early 2010s Mancunian poetry scene Half Beard Half Poet (then using the alias Benny-Jo Zahl) burned bright but briefly. Three years after discovering poetry in 2009 he was published as a member of the Working Verse collective alongside Kieren King and Dave Viney Via Flapjack press (The Prequel to the Sequel), co-wrote and performed two plays with Working Verse that debuted in the Lowery theatre (Amateur Thematics – 2012, Writer's Retweet – 2013) and co-hosted Bang Said The Gun: Manchester.

In May 2014 at the Evidently poetry night in Salford he gave his last performance, until one fateful day in October 2023, when he walked into a therapist’s office holding notebook and pen…

What some people have said about him:

“The great ape swings again!

I’ve admired these poems for years, but for too long they’ve not been on our stages. It’s amazing to see not only their return but also even more exciting, emotive, excellent new words coming from this engaging and inspired writer and performer. Yes, heavier than metal, and shining twice as brightly!

– Dominic Berry, 2017 Glastonbury Festival Poet in Residence and winner of the Saboteur ‘Best Spoken Word Artist’ award 2020 and 2017.

“I like the ones with the guinea pigs” – Kim Moores, Love of my life.

“That’s pure gold” – Rupert Holmes, singer song writer of “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” upon hearing a performance of the poem on page 17.

More details can be found here:

https://halfbeardhalfpoet.co.uk/

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend, the amazing Krystal 'Gypsy' Orellano Weldon.

Krystal “Gypsy” Orellano Weldon is a Tampa, Florida–based spoken word artist, poet, writer, and composition professor. As an educator, she teaches writing at the college level, where she is passionate about helping students find their voice, develop critical thinking skills, and use writing as a tool for self-expression and empowerment. Her work in the classroom reflects her broader mission to uplift diverse voices and create space for meaningful storytelling.Known throughout the Tampa Bay community for her presence in the open mic scene, Krystal has been featured in events such as Pinot & Poetry: A Toast to Herstory and began her artistic journey with the USF Poets. Her performances are rooted in authenticity, emotion, and cultural expression, resonating with a wide range of audiences.Her writing spans poetry and creative nonfiction, with publications in The Sandbox (St. Petersburg College’s newspaper), The Sandhill Review (Saint Leo University), and recognition as a runner-up in the University of Westminster’s 2017 Mental Health Poetry Competition.In addition to her academic and literary work, Krystal is currently in the process of producing a poetry album that blends spoken word with musical expression. She is also working on her upcoming novel, The Lover’s Passion Lounge, continuing to expand her voice across multiple creative platforms.

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features making her debut, the amazing Talin “Tally” Vartanian.
Talin “Tally” Vartanian is a writer, actress, and photographer who resides somewhere in Los Angeles, CA.
When she’s not struggling to keep her head above water, she loves to play video games, walk on hiking trails, and cook something new in her tiny kitchen.
The Instagram feed, which we do an in-depth study on, can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/talinthepoet/

* Re-edited Podcast *

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend, Amanda Crundall.

Amanda Crundall (a.k.a. “The Glam Poet”), is an accomplished and multi-faceted author, poet, spoken word performer, poetry workshop facilitator and radio presenter, at Beverley FM.

She is based in East Yorkshire, UK.Her poetry, known for its raw emotion and honesty, explores vulnerability and resilience, resonating deeply with readers and audiences. She is unafraid to share own vulnerabilities, frailties and her darkest moments as well as her joys and loves. Amanda’s truth, humility, honesty and openness, connects profoundly with those who have encountered her work. Many find comfort, inspiration and empowerment in her writing - enabling them to feel understood, acknowledged and not so alone. Amanda has performed at various events and festivals: the Festival of Love, Doncaster; Scunthorpe Pride; No Limits Festival; and Ripon Poetry Festival. Her writing has featured in: The Script Magazine; the High Wolds Poetry Anthologies; the Dark Poet's Society; LiveWire Poetry and Online Anthologies. As the co-founder and former co-host of “Rabbiting On” spoken word/poetry group, she helped establish a thriving poetry community. Amanda has been delighted to see the group go from strength to strength, since passing over the baton with hosting duties. Amanda has published two poetry books. The most recent is “The Emboldened Heart” which is the primary focus of this Podcast.

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry / Spoken word Podcast) features the return of our friend, the amazing Aakriti Kuntal.Aakriti Kuntal is a poet, writer and multidisciplinary artist.She spends most of her time writing and reading, seeking refuge in nature. At other times, she explores photography, asemic writing, visual art and short experimental films. Her work has appeared in The Night Heron Barks, Rasputin: A Poetry Thread,IceFloe Press, Cha: An Asian Literary Journal, and Poetry at Sangam, among others. She is the author of the chapbook “God, am I your eyelid?” (Sigilist Press, USA) and the full length collection “Night breaks apart, like pomegranate seeds in my palm (The Indian List).Her accolades include the Reuel International Prize (2017); she was shortlisted for the RL Poetry Award (2018) and nominated for Best of the Net.

* containing topics not suitable for all *Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Poetry Podcast) features making her debut, Annie Acre.

Annie Acre is a placemaker / poet and strange storyteller based in Manchester, made in Darwen, Lancashire.

She regularly performs spoken word around her adpoted city and has been published in Ink Sweat & Tears and Worktown Words. Annie is the editor of Urban Scrawl zine.

She hopes you like what she’s doing with the the place x

anniesacre.co.uk

@annies.acre

urbanscrawlmag.co.uk

@urbanscrawlmag

Last up from Spoken Label (Our Spoken Word / Writer Podcast) features Part 2 of our extended chat with the Environmental Poetry collection ‘I am Nature’, this time an extended chat with the wonderful Andrew Sumner andPatricia (Pat) Sumner.

Andrew Sumner grew up near Stroud in Gloucestershire,surrounded by deep woods and floriferous meadows thronged with butterflies.

These places he explored with his mother, father and younger sister. Sadly, all that rich nature has since gone under the plough and the conifer. Later, his father’s work took the family south to Somerset and the new and differentlandscapes of the Somerset Levels, the Quantock Hills and the Mendip Hills.

Andrew’s poems have been published in group anthologies and poetry collections, including ‘Travelling with the Saints’ (Y Lofa, 2013) and ‘Both Sides of the Border – An Anthology of Writing on the Welsh Border Region (Gwasg Carreg Gfwlach, 1998).

He has illustrated a children’s book written by hiswife, Pat and enjoys walking, gardening, turning wood, drawing, painting, and researching family history.

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Patricia Sumner (Pat) grew up on the Isle of Anglesey and nowlives in the Vale of Clwyd. She has loved creative writing ever since she was very young.

As an adult, she studied under the poet and author Dr Gladys Mary Coles,namong other writers. It was at these Creative writing classes in Chester that she met her husband, Andrew.

As a poet, she has had two collections published. Her pamphlet ‘Beyond the Glass’ came first in a national poetry competition run by Thynks Publications.

Pat’s second collection of poems and readings, ‘The Promise of Dawn: Rites of Passage for all Beliefs’, is published by Veneficia Publications.

Pat has won awards for some of her poems and plays, and her poetry has appeared in magazines and anthologies. Pat has a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Philosophy, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

This book (which is recommended) can be found here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Am-Nature-Environmental-Poetry-ebook/dp/B0FH7PRW78/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SAZ97SPX6WAQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.boHw9Hvv-eiwk0u6a82ZqWgjmK5G_sB28inaUJj0xhnHDE2LARcrHr8SrLCATjQSwE33nT3rAzsmfAznxsyx5IGxWZdQS_e_hS0b6ZwycAw.ulpWQy3YfH1rRkpCS96xbDozvPLa_m20qWAIz00uIUc&dib_tag=se&keywords=andrew+sumner&qid=1771620249&s=books&sprefix=andrew+sumner%2Cstripbooks%2C591&sr=1-1