Another bonus episode today for Spoken Label (Poetry / Author Chat) features an exclusive chat with Jo from Urmston Books and Board Games.

Urmston Books and Board Games is an independent family-run bookshop and board game cafe designed to celebrate stories, both for you and by you. Our family personally select and curate our favourite books, board games and baked goods, bringing people together in community-centred events.

The episode today features a chat with Jo about Trafford's Celebration of Reading which is taking place on Saturday 6th June, 10:30am - 3:30pm at Urmston Library.

Trafford’s Celebration of Reading is a day of free literary events held in Urmston Library, co-organised by Trafford Libraries and Urmston Books and Board Games. A blend between a book fair and festival, the event offers talks and workshops across all ages as well as a chance for local authors to exhibit their latest books and introduce them to a local audience.

Tickets can be booked at: https://www.urmstonbooks.co.uk/celebration-of-reading

Urmston Bookshop and Board Games can be at: https://www.urmstonbooks.co.uk/

Entry to the event and book fair is entirely FREE and we'd love to see lots of you there, but spaces are limited for author talks and workshops, so do reserve your ticket in advance.

Urmston Books and Board Games can be found at 72 Flixton Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 5AB

Urmston Library is at 34 Golden Way, Urmston, Manchester M41 0NA

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features making her debut, the amazing Alexis Quin.

Alexis is a poet, writer, musician, and shamanic/Reiki practitioner originally from the United States, now based in Manchester with her wife Danielle and their two cats, Jade and Salem. Raised between New York and the American South, her relationship to language was shaped early through literature, music, queerness, spirituality, and the emotional landscapes that exist between people.Though classically trained in music with foundations in blues and jazz, poetry remains the art form most deeply connected to her soul. Influenced by writers such as E. E. Cummings, Walt Whitman, and Audre Lorde - alongside the lyrical intimacy of Meshell Ndegeocello - Alexis writes toward feeling rather than simple description. Her work explores love, longing, devotion, power dynamics, queer identity, spirituality, memory, and the ways human connection can transform us.Her poetry is often shaped by the people who have crossed her path as teachers, whether through tenderness, heartbreak, desire, or revelation. Alongside Danielle, she is currently developing a collaborative poetry collection tracing the chronology of their relationship - a love they often describe as ancient, oceanic, and timeless.Now rooted in Manchester’s vibrant creative community, Alexis continues building both her literary voice and spiritual practice, drawn to art that evokes emotion as viscerally as music itself.Instagram - Greyyylex and Rainbowreikishamanism

This was streamed live on my facebook page (Spoken Label) on 26 May 2026, a special bonus Podcast episode (Apologises for the cutting in and out of this episode in a few places).

This special episode features on the 100th anniversary of Jazz Musician Miles Davis's birthday, a special chat with Stockport writer Andy Cash who has bought on the 26th May 2026, his debut collection, 'The Blue Flame' which brings to life Miles's life in poetry.

An excellent collection

Check it out here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1066661502?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_9V344XJE6M384P7M43AN&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_9V344XJE6M384P7M43AN&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_mwn_dp_9V344XJE6M384P7M43AN&bestFormat=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawSFX1pleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFBbG9FeE50dVVPVnZkb3Jmc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHh7-Vacu7hEyj8muvI7qKxuBaOJ-AF3PLGvkhPNHDSIjSJKbBHCJ_FWr0BH2_aem_qCdDc7ltqTN6Iq8I8E7d8Q

Latest up from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features making his debut is, Stephen Small.Stephen has been writing fiction and non-fiction for many years alongside careers in academia, publishing, communications, and consulting.His debut novel, The Life and Death of Abercrombie Lyle, emerged from academic interests and private passions: a fascination with political power – and what people will do to get it; a love of Italy based on extensive travel and research; and a desire to write the kind of fast-paced, twisty mysteries and thrillers he enjoys reading himself.His writing is informed by a doctorate in Modern History and a BA in Politics, Philosophy & Economics, both from Oxford University, and an MA in History from the University of Michigan – as well the history of his own family of Irish immigrants to Liverpool in the early 20th century.Stephen has taught history and political thought in several US and UK universities, including UC Berkeley, Boston College, San Francisco State, and St. Mary’s University Twickenham. He has written several non-fiction works, including An Irish Century 1845-1945 and Political Thought in Ireland, 1776-1798, published by Oxford University Press.A native of Liverpool, Stephen now lives in Warrington with his wife and their dog, Sebastian.More details can be found at: https://www.stephensmall.co.uk/

New up from Spoken Label (Poetry / Spoken Word Podcast) and the second in a extended two part chat is with making their debut, Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ).

Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ) is a neurodivergent author, poet, workshop facilitator and advocate from the North of England. She began her writing journey at seven. She weaves tales from her life experiences and explores themes such as autism, hope, love and loss. Her works include “Darkness & Light” (2020) and “Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition” (2023). She has had her work recognised in both print and radio, including being longlisted for the Heroica Poetry Prize in 2024 and runner-up in the Happiful Poetry Prize in 2025.

EJ has poems featured in various publications, including The Raven Review, The Anti-Misogyny Club Journal, Flare Lit Magazine and Ink Gladiator Press. She has performed her work live on BBC Radio Manchester, had poems featured on podcasts and performed her poetry across the UK. She currently facilitates an online workshop series called Holding Space (@holdingspaceforpoetry on Instagram) and is also working on her 3rd poetry book and other exciting creative projects. You can follow her at @emmajanepoetry on Instagram and sign up for her free newsletter, Threads of Hope, on Substack.

New up from Spoken Label (Poetry / Spoken Word Podcast) and the first in a extended two part chat is with making their debut, Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ).

Emma-Jane Barlow (EJ) is a neurodivergent author, poet, workshop facilitator and advocate from the North of England. She began her writing journey at seven. She weaves tales from her life experiences and explores themes such as autism, hope, love and loss. Her works include “Darkness & Light” (2020) and “Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition” (2023). She has had her work recognised in both print and radio, including being longlisted for the Heroica Poetry Prize in 2024 and runner-up in the Happiful Poetry Prize in 2025.
EJ has poems featured in various publications, including The Raven Review, The Anti-Misogyny Club Journal, Flare Lit Magazine and Ink Gladiator Press. She has performed her work live on BBC Radio Manchester, had poems featured on podcasts and performed her poetry across the UK. She currently facilitates an online workshop series called Holding Space (@holdingspaceforpoetry on Instagram) and is also working on her 3rd poetry book and other exciting creative projects. You can follow her at @emmajanepoetry on Instagram and sign up for her free newsletter, Threads of Hope, on Substack.

* SHOW NOTES * this interview was recorded on Easter Sunday, due to other prioritise and future events, Giz A Word Collective have now decided to step down from the All Ears Expo on 3rd July. However please visit the All Ears Instagram for more information and ticket link
Latest up today from Spoken Label (Author / Artist Podcast) features the return of our friend, Hayley Lynn Gordon.

Hayley has been a regular performer around Merseyside in recent years and co-runs her own monthly night ‘Giz A Word'.

Giz A Word platforms writers at all stages of their careers as well as offering an opportunity to connect with other creatives.

This Podcast primarily talks about Hayley's forthcoming poetry book' Lemonade Grendade' will be available to buy on Amazon and selected independent books stores after its launch this summer.

You can also visit @twistedtales.hlg19 and @gizaword.collective on Instagram for updates on Giz a Word poetry events and where to see Hayley Lynn Gordon live.

* Post recording note * Hayley advises that since the Podcast was recorded,

they have cancelled their scheduled their All Ears Poetry Expo date.

* Re-edit *

There was a unfortunate glitch in the second half of the Podcast during which Alistair reads out a wonderful poem called Elephants Don't Jump.

In the sake of being fair, we agreed for Alistair to re-record said poem and it is presented as a bonus at the end of the Podcast.

New from Spoken Label features making his debut is the amazing Alistair Lawrie.

Alistair Lawrie is from Peterhead and now lives in Stonehaven. His short story “Delivery” won the William Soutar Prize in 2016 and his poem “Twists And Turns” won the McLellan Scots Poetry Prize in 2023. His poetry and short stories have been published in “The Interpreter’s House”, “The Poets’ Republic”, “Northwords Now”, “Lallans”, “Poetry Scotland” and various anthologies; he coedited the Scottish sea anthology “A Glimmer Of Cold Brine”.

His poetry collection “Caal Cries” was published in 2023 by Drunk Muse Press. He runs weekly creative writing sessions for Mearns Writers. He writes in Doric and English, occasionally Scots “… but the words and the rhythms of those voices I heard as a boy breathe their lilt through all of it”This chat is about Alistair's new poetry book "Opent Petals" available from Drunk Muse Press which describes at the book as "following on from his acclaimed debut, Caal Cries – confirms his position as one of the most accomplished and entertaining poets writing in Scots today. Winner of the 2023 McLellan Scots Poetry Prize, he alternatives adeptly between Doric and English across a range of themes.

Whether he’s recalling a telling childhood incident or casting a rueful eye over politics and culture, there is wit and insight aplenty in these poems that will resonate widely."