I rarely venture out on a Friday evening, usually Friday night is a pizza night at home with my husband catching up and watching films together. This has been a tradition in our 12 year marriage, but last night I had a rare evening out with my friend Wendy (who is also a huge fan of Spoz) to The Hive Library Studio in Worcester for the launch of two compelling collections from Verve Poetry Press “Playful Poignant Pottymouth” by Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito and “How to Leave a Body” by Holly Winter-Hughes. Hosted by the University of Worcester’s Creative Writing course, the event was a testament to the thriving and dynamic literary scene and culture in the Midlands.

Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito: Humour with Heart

Ever since I launched the Worcestershire Literary Festival in 2011, before my award-winning career in cyber security, I have been a HUGE fan of Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito and his poetry, and he has been a long-time supporter of the work I did with the Worcestershire Literary Festival. Spoz, as he is affectionately called, is known for his engaging spoken word performances and delivered readings from his new book that combined sharp wit with heartfelt narratives. His collection, “Playful Poignant Pottymouth”, encapsulates his unique style of blending humour with poignant social commentary and as noted by Katherine Priddy, Spoz’s poetry is “clever, moving and packed with sharp humour,” offering refreshing honesty and accessibility.

I loved hearing his poems about Chris Packham (you had to be there!), his parents and ancestry in Southern Italy (something I can relate to massively as I have the same Italian heritage from the same part of Italy as Spoz), and the hilarious poem called “The Turd That Would Not Flush.”

Holly Winter-Hughes: Raw and Resonant

I had never heard of or seen Holly Winter-Hughes before (although she did seem familiar, but I can’t think why), and she presented selections from her debut collection, How to Leave a Body, a work that delves deep into themes of trauma, resilience, and the human experience. I was absolutely blown away by her work, it was very different from the funny and upbeat poetry we heard from Spoz, and I could also relate to it immensely because of all the bullying, abuse and trauma/traumatic events I’d been through in my lifetime. Her poems “How to Leave a Body” presented in various steps offered an incredible insight into the world of healing and ultimately acceptance.

Holly’s poetry has been described by John McCullough as “visceral writing that turns the human form inside-out,” and it captivated the audience with its raw intensity and imaginative language. Tom Hirons has also described Holly’s poetry as having “unapologetically incandescent images” and notes how they twist tightly before opening into “wide, revelatory spaces.” Holly’s readings were a powerful exploration of personal and collective healing, and I can’t wait to hear more, and to read her book, which I’ve ordered from Amazon.

An Evening of Literary Enrichment and Fulfilment

The event was more than just a book launch for Spoz and Holly, it was a celebration of contemporary poetry’s ability to challenge, comfort, and connect. The Hive’s intimate setting provided the perfect backdrop for an evening of literary enrichment, where attendees were invited to reflect on the complexities of life through the lens of poetry, and ask questions of both Spoz and Holly about their creative writing process.  The event showcased the power of poetry to articulate the nuances of the human condition, leaving attendees with much to ponder and appreciate.

For those interested in exploring these collections, “Playful Poignant Pottymouth” and “How to Leave a Body” are available through Verve Poetry Press.