Our monthly readings by well-known poets normally take place at 8 pm on the third Tuesday of the month, in the Alexandra Room at the Royal Wells Hotel in Tunbridge Wells, with a livestream for members who can’t attend in person.
Meetings are free for members. Non-members are also welcome, and the entry fee of £3 can be paid at the door. There is usually an opportunity to read a short poem (up to 40 lines) at Open Mic unless otherwise indicated below.
Details of each meeting are uploaded on the front page of this website in advance. The poets so far booked for 2024 are listed below.
enquiries, e-mail: kentandsussexpoetry@gmail.com (but please note, this email is not checked daily).
2024
January 16th: As always in January, we welcome the New Year with a reading by three highly accomplished Kent and Sussex Poetry Society members at the Royal Wells Hotel in Tunbridge Wells at 8 pm. The poets reading their work this time are Caroline Franklyn, Janice Warman and Sarah Salway.
February 20th: Rachael Clyne reads her poems, including from her recent collection You’ll Never Be Anyone Else (Seren, 2023), after an Open Mic session. Royal Wells Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, 8 pm.
March 19th: Rosie Jackson, a recent Kent & Sussex Open Competition prize winner, will read her poems, including from her latest collection Love Leans Over The Table (Two Rivers Press, 2023), after an Open Mic session. Royal Wells Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, 8 pm.
April 16th. Kathryn Gray, judge of the 2024 Kent & Sussex Open Poetry Competition, announces our seven prize winners, followed by a performance of her own poems. Kathryn’s new collection is Hollywood or Home (Seren, 2023). No Open Mic. Royal Wells Hotel, Tunbridge Wells, 8 pm.
May 21st. Cheryl Moskowitz , judge of our members’ only Folio Competition will announce her selection of prize winners and commended poems for inclusion in our 2024 Folio, followed by a reading of her own poems. Cheryl’s most recent collection is Maternal Impression (Against The Grain Poetry Press, 2021). No Open Mic. Royal Wells Hotel, 8 pm.
June 18th. Rishi Dastidar, who judged our Open Competition in 2021, returns to read his own poems. Rishi’s latest collection is Neptune’s Projects (Nine Arches Press, 2023). The evening will begin at 8 pm with an Open Mic session. Royal Wells Hotel, 8 pm.
July 16th. Denise Saul reads from her poetry at the Royal Wells Hotel in Tunbridge Wells, 8 pm, starting with Open Mic. Denise’s most recent collection is The Room Between Us (Pavilion Poetry, 2022), shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize.
August 20th. As usual in August, we will meet outdoors somewhere not too far from Tunbridge Wells, weather permitting, for a celebration of poetry. Details to be communicated nearer the time.
September 17th. Anglo-Polish poet Maria Jastrzębska will read from her poetry, after an Open Mic beginning at 8 pm. Maria’s most recent publication is Small Odysseys (Waterloo Press, 2022). Royal Wells Hotel in Tunbridge Wells.
October 15th. Moniza Alvi reads her poems. Moniza’s most recent publication is Fairoz (Bloodaxe Books, 2022). 8 pm, Royal Wells Hotel in Tunbridge Wells. We will begin the evening with a short AGM, hence, no Open Mic tonight.
November 19th. Ian Duhig will read from his poetry. Ian’s most recent publication is New and Selected Poems (Picador, 2021). This will be an online event via zoom starting at 8 pm.
December 17th. This will also be an online event. Ken Evans will read from his poetry, following an open mic starting at 8 pm. Ken’s most recent collection is To an Occupier Burning Holes (Salt, 2022).
The Kent & Sussex Poetry Society 