Who are our writers?
Kim Moore
Kim Moore’s third poetry collection The House of Broken Things was published by Corsair in May 2026. Her second collection All the Men I Never Married (Seren, 2021) won the 2022 Forward Prize for Best Collection. Her first collection The Art of Falling (Seren 2015) won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. She also writes non-fiction, publishing What the Trumpet Taught Me (Smith/Doorstop, 2022) and Are You Judging Me Yet? Poetry and Everyday Sexism (Seren, 2023). She is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and Deputy Programme Leader of the MA and MFA in Creative Writing.
Chris Seymour
Is an adult nursing lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, a spoken word poet and rapper, and the host of Break the Silence Poetry workshops. A specialist palliative care nurse educator by background, he has spent the past six years using poetry to enhance scenario-based learning for pre-registration nurses. Chris’s work blends creativity, compassion and clinical insight – inviting learners and audiences alike to engage with language in fresh and reflective ways.
Amanda Dalton
Amanda is a playwright, poet and essayist. She currently has three poetry collections with Bloodaxe, most recently Fantastic Voyage (2024). Her first full length collection, How to Disappear, was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection and she was chosen as a Next Generation Poet. In 2022, Smith|Doorstop published a pamphlet of two long poems, Notes on Water, a version of which she re-created for two voices and soundscape for BBC Radio 3’s Between the Ears.
Shirley May
Beyond her geographical roots, Shirley May's poetry delves into universal themes that resonate with readers from all walks of life. Her words have an uncanny ability to capture the human experience, whether it's the joy of love, the pain of loss, or the pursuit of dreams. Her verses are imbued with a lyrical quality that makes them not just poetry but melodies of the heart.
Shirley has also been recognized for her commitment to nurturing emerging poets and fostering a sense of community in the literary world. She has conducted workshops, organized poetry readings, and contributed her time to mentor aspiring writers. Her dedication to the art form extends beyond her own creations, making her a beloved figure in both the local and national poetry scenes.