Poetry Business party!

Contact: office@poetrybusiness.co.uk

Join us at Bank Street Arts to hear Cathy Benson, Sue Boyle and Alan Payne read from their rather beautiful Smith /Doorstop pamphlets. (Sue and Alan's collections were first-stage winners in the 2009 Poetry Business Competition, judged by Sir Andrew Motion.)

PLUS the launch of the latest North, with brilliant poems from the latest issue of this 'excellent' (Carol Ann Duffy, Guardian) magazine. If you're in North 45 or the previous issue, come and read your poem(s). If you're not, come and read someone else's poem from the issue, and get a free copy or back-issue.

There will be a free raffle, and the shortest ever poetry and general knowledge quiz — with many marvellous (unbelievable!) prizes, mostly of a literary or confectionery nature.

Refreshments will include wine, beer, soft drinks, things on sticks, crisps, twiglets (and jammie dodgers if in season).

On the book stall, we'll be offering Three for Two on all our titles, and you'll be able to browse our wide-range of poetry magazines. Email office@poetrybusiness.co.uk (or call 0114 346 3037) to let us know if you're planning to attend.

CATHERINE BENSON was brought up in Scotland and lives in Bradford. Smith/Doorstop publish her pamphlet It Must Have Been A Sunday. A children's illustrator as well as poet, Cathy is well known in local literary circles for the warmth and insight of her writing. 'In the hup and hoist of these poems is a subtle precision of feeling' – Ed Reiss

SUE BOYLE lives in Bath, where among other things she runs the Poetry Cafe. 'The voice of a true original: her work has a wit and inventiveness all too rare in poetry today' – Rosie Bailey

ALAN PAYNE was born and grew up in the Caribbean, and is a well-known Sheffield poet. He has worked for many years as a teacher. 'Alan Payne evokes the sensuality and vibrancy of life in the Caribbean' — John Lyons

THE NORTH issue 45, excellent poems and articles, including Ian Gregson on Simon Armitage, Fiona Sampson on Helen Cixsous and the Peterloo Poets mini-anthology edited by Harry Chambers; plus the usual outstanding mix of reviews and features, Blind Criticism and Poets I Go Back To. 'Dark and true and tender is The North' — Alfred Lord Tennyson

Entry: £5 / £3 (or free to members of Bank Street Arts)

Time: 7:30pm