WRITER PROFILES
Camille
Camille is a Derby based poet who focuses on grief in pregnancy loss & close relatives, inspired by working in nature conservation. She was Associate Poet for Derby Poetry Festival 2023 and is Shadow Poet in 2024. Her poems have been published by literary magazines such as Under the Radar and Ink, Sweat & Tears. Her debut pamphlet, An Odd Gift, was published by Bearded Badger Publishing in 2021. Camille has headlined events such as Hammer and Tongue, Word Wise and Ilkley Fringe Festival and has supported Yomi Sode, Joelle Taylor, Matt Abbott and others. She has worked on various commissions including Apples and Snakes ‘Cece’s Speakeasy’ a climate project, and with collage artist Jenny Stevenson. She co-hosts Poetry Praise Sandwich, a free monthly community poetry event.
ALICE
Alison Tanik is an East Midlands-based poet, playwright and performer, who headlines at poetry events across the country under the stage name ‘Who the Fuck is Alice’. Her work is concerned with gender (im)balance, violence, and desire. She is currently studying for an MA in poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University. She was an Associate Poet of the Derby Poetry Festival in 2023.
SONIA
Sonia Burns is a Derby based poet, performer and facilitator. Her debut chapbook, Umbra:philia, was published in November 2021 by Bearded Badger Publishing, with the support of Arts Council funding. Sonia’s poems have been published in Ink, Sweat & Tears, 192 Magazine and various anthologies. Sonia is involved in several creative collectives and founded the Poetry Praise Sandwich night with fellow poet Camille McCawley.
FLO
Flo Cornall is a Derbyshire writer, journalist and spoken word poet who has performed across the UK. Their work as a BBC New Creative saw the release of their short film ‘CAKE’ based on a poem they wrote at 18. Now 23, Flo’s work focuses on the small joys and frustrations that document mundane modern lives.
SIMON
Simon is a poet, playwright and participation producer from Derbyshire, living in Sheffield. His writing explores sense of place, belonging and sexuality, and is inspired by geography, mythology and pop culture. He is an Associate Artist of Derby Theatre and has written for Paines Plough, Sheffield Theatres and recently performed for the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.
CONOR
Conor is a gay short story writer and poet based in Derby. His work explores the intricacies of queer life, struggles in mental health and the dirty realism of being a working class man from a low economic background.
Shortlisted for the Bridport Prize Writer in Residence 2024 for his queer literature, Conor is currently studying a MA at UoD in Creative Writing. Conor works as a volunteer editorial assistant at The Publishing Post, an indie industry magazine for publishing hopefuls. He’s written for the Derbyshire Writing School’s blog and Hospitality Action’s Charity book, Chefs and Summer Balls.
