Writing Nonhuman Voices in Poetry – with Caleb Parkin

We meet around a virtual ‘pool’ of words, teeming with unseen beings. Can we experience them as ‘hauntings’? Can we commune with the weirdness of the nonhuman and write into it?
We’ll explore worlds-within-worlds, everyday alternative dimensions, infused with nature’s inherent queerness. The session invites you to go ‘through the looking-glass’, giving voice to otherworldly beings.
Along the way, we’ll ‘contaminate’ our writing – through each other’s words and wayward online resources. The session builds on themes from Mingle (October, Nine Arches Press) as well as my PhD research into poetry which speaks for, -with, or as nonhuman animals.

About the tutor

Caleb Parkin, Bristol City Poet 2020 – 22, won second prize in the National Poetry Competition 2016, the Winchester Poetry Prize 2017 and other shortlists. His poems feature in The Guardian, The Rialto, The Poetry Review, Under the Radar, Poetry Wales, Magma, Butcher’s Dog and elsewhere. Commissions include Poetry Society, Lyra Festival, Green Party, National Literacy Trust, Royal British Legion, and The Hepworth Wakefield.

He tutors for Poetry Society, Poetry School, Cheltenham Festivals, First Story and holds an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes (CWTP) with a research dissertation focused on museum and gallery settings. He previously worked in BBC TV and radio production, as a teacher and Senior Inclusion Worker.

Caleb Parkin’s debut pamphlet, Wasted Rainbow was published by Tall-lighthouse in Feb 2021 and his debut collection This Fruiting Body was published with Nine Arches Press, October 2021. His website is: www.caleb.parkin.com

About First Tuesday Writers

First Tuesday Writers is here to keep your writing fresh. Taking place on the first Tuesday of every month, each 90 minute session offers a deep dive into a writer’s creative world – designed to challenge and energise you, and lead you to new creative discoveries.

Every writer and every form of writing has something unique that we can learn and put to use in our own work. These workshops are all opportunities to learn from radically diverse writers – including poets, bloggers, crime writers and much more. Drop in for one or two events or sign up to them all: either way, you’ll leave buzzing, and ready to do your best and most innovative work.

Low cost places available

We believe the price of our courses should never be a barrier to your learning. If you are unable to pay for a place on this event, contact us to apply for a bursary place.