Len Pennie, author of the British Book Award-nominated collection of poetry poyums, will be in conversation with fellow writer Natalie Jayne Clark at the annual Islay Book Festival.

On Friday 29th August at 8pm, Len will share a few of her passionate, funny poems as she discusses poetry, the importance of promoting minority languages, and the destigmatisation of mental illness.

The event lasts until 9pm and will be held at St John’s Church; grab your tickets here.

There isn’t a timescale for how you should heal
Your bad days are valid, your heartache is real
But so is the day that your smile will return
That fire within you continues to burn
You will overcome this and continue to thrive
You are here, you are loved, you are whole, you’re alive.

A formidable follow up to her award-winning debut poetry collection, Len Pennie’s poyums annaw is just like her: defiant, angry and trailblazing. These poems are a call to arms, confronting ideas of patriarchy, gender-based violence and societal injustice with equal parts tenderness, quick-wit and righteous fury. poyums annaw firmly cements Len as a defining voice in contemporary Scots poetry.

Len’s debut collection, poyums, is a Sunday Times bestseller. Grab your copy here or, better, via your local bookshop or Bookshop.org.

Don’t forget that signed editions of poyums annaw, Len’s sophomore collection, are available for pre-order now. Get one here!

Follow Len Pennie on TikTok @misspunnypennie and Bluesky @lenniesaurus.bsky.social.