Len Pennie, author of the “raw, down-to-earth” (The Scotsman) collection of poetry poyums annaw, will be performing at Braford Literature Festival as part of their ‘Lyrical Mehfil’, “an annual celebration of lyrical poetry inspired by the rich tradition of South Asian mehfils”.

The event will be held on Saturday July 4th from 19:30 to 22:00 at The Alhambra Theatre.

Len will be reading from her sophomore collection; tickets are available 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.

Poyums Annaw is out now. 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 to order now. Get one here!

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