Hey hello, how are you my friends,

I hope you are well and safe and sound. I hope you are wearing your seat belt and able to weather this roller-coaster of immense shifts and changes in season, changes and shifts in the planet and the ongoing story of us changing and shifting and making a better tomorrow.

Somehow it is now already September and somehow already these are the last of these warm and golden days. Somehow we are now about to enter a second wave of this Coronavirus pandemic in the UK. All the news is bad, the numbers are escalating, all of it so terrible and terrifying. I write this trying not to sound panicky, anxious, trying not to show my fear. I write this holding onto my faith and hope for better times ahead, that change is here and change is inevitable and change is good.

Today I'd like to share some books with you as we hurtle into October and orangey autumn world. Here are some book-shaped, brightly coloured and powerful things to brighten up your inbox. I'm honoured and excited to have work included in two of these books, She Will Soar and How To Be More Pirate, both seem to come from a powerful intention, both contain messages of empowerment and community and courage, themes we all can use right now...

Take care out there my friends,

stay safe and stay human

Xxsg

SHE WILL SOAR

ANA SAMPSON

Published 17.09.2020

With poems from classic, well loved poets as well as innovative and bold modern voices, She Will Soar is a stunning collection and an essential addition to any bookshelf. From the ancient world right up to the present day, it includes poems on wanderlust, travel, daydreams, flights of fancy, escaping into books, tranquillity, courage, hope and resilience. From frustrated housewives to passionate activists, from servants and suffragettes to some of today’s most gifted writers, here is a bold choir of voices demanding independence and celebrating their hard-won power. Immerse yourself in poems by Carol Ann Duffy, Christina Rossetti, Stevie Smith, Sarah Crossan, Emily Dickinson, Salena Godden, Mary Jean Chan, Charly Cox, Nikita Gill, Fiona Benson, Hollie McNish and Grace Nichols to name but a few...

Treat yourself, order a copy HERE

How To: Be More Pirate

Sam Conniff and Alex Barker

published 24.09.2020

HOW TO: BE MORE PIRATE is a celebration of an eclectic mix of individual and organisations’ stories which show how small actions or shifts in thinking can have a huge positive impact on society and the world. The overarching idea that anyone can make a different and affect change for good, coupled with inspirational stories and practical tips makes this the book that everyone needs in their life.” it is described as a work that "comprises real peoples’ lives and testimonies: their moments of bravery and revelation, their missteps and mischief. It is a testament to the transformational power of a movement and a practical manifesto for aspiring pirates".

Treat yourself, order a copy from OWN IT! HERE

Let's hear it for. . .

Zora Neale Hurston

Ships At a Distance:

A Celebration of Zora Neale Hurston

Save the date: Wednesday October 28th

Don't miss out, book yourself a ticket here

‘There are years that ask questions

and years that answer.’ — Zora Neale Hurston

Hosted by Black Girls' Book Club co-founders

Natalie Carter and Melissa Cummings-Quarry

RSL Director Molly Rosenberg and The British Library

in conversation with Salena Godden and Jackie Kay

discussing the life and legacy of the great Zora Neale Hurston

This event is part of the British Library’s exhibition ‘Unfinished Business: The Fight for Women's Rights’, which explores how feminist activism in the UK has its roots in the complex history of women’s rights.

Dorothy Koomson interviews

Salena Godden

Thank you Dorothy!

Read the full piece here

The Girl and the Goddess is a mesmerising poetic tale

of where we come from, how we grow

and how we become who we are... out soon!!

"SIX MODERN POETS

YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT"

Author Nikita Gill writes about her six favourite poets

Dean Atta, Sophia Thakur, Shivanee Ramlochan,

Fatimah Asghar, Trista Mateer, Salena Godden

Read all about it here

Thank you to John Lee Bird

I'm honoured to own an amazing original test print and latest book

IDLE LOVE 2

I love this so much and will treasure it forever

My pictures don't do this work justice...

Please visit John's website and check out this latest work

http://johnleebird.com

Coming up: Amah-Rose and Matt and I are preparing to record the 10th episode of Roaring 20's Radio and this show will be broadcast LIVE on air on Soho Radio on Saturday September 26th 2020. This will be our first time back in the actual Soho Radio studio since winter and we have a very special show lined up! More about that later, follow us on twitter and insta for news... Thank you to everybody that has been tuning in so far and throughout lockdown. Find our latest shows as podcasts in all of the usual places via anchor.fm/roaring20sradio