Henry Normal In Conversation with…

Flapjack Press, Manchester Libraries and New Poetry Society present

Henry Normal in conversation with…

A series of live stream poetry, chat and Q&A every Wednesday evening in September.

Free but booking essential. Just click on the link to each event to register.

Join poet, writer, TV and film producer Henry Normal as he chats and shares poems with award-winning wordsmiths from Flapjack Press.

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Henry Normal in conversation with John Darwin

Wednesday 7th September, 7.00pm – 8.00pm

John Darwin was part of the acclaimed touring troupe A Firm of Poets and his solo poetry show, Happy Hour, won the Best Spoken Word Performance Award at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2021. His new collection, Ultrasilence, is published this autumn.

“His words are visceral, delicate, vulnerable and utterly engrossing.” Matt Abbott, poet & educator

Henry Normal in conversation with Janine Booth

Wednesday 14th September, 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Janine Booth co-edited Flapjack Press’s new anthology NeurodiVERSE. Her poetry and prose collection, The Big J vs The Big C, details her journey from detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, through surgery, to – in her words – “getting over it”.

“Her words encourage and motivate … an inspiration.” Attila the Stockbroker, poet & musician

Henry Normal in conversation with David Viney

Wednesday 21st September, 7.00pm – 8.00pm

David Viney has been poet laureate for Kendal Calling festival, written for and performed on BBC radio, and written and performed two shows at Salford’s Lowry Theatre. His new collection, In Orbit, Back Soon, is part poetry, part comic book, part screenplay, and a rhythmic ride through right now.

“Has a unique talent … I’m constantly impressed.” David Scott, Official Poet for NSPCC & UEFA

Henry Normal in conversation with Rob Steventon

Wednesday 28th September, 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Rob Steventon is founder of Punk in Drublic, the Saboteur Award-winning poetry and comedy night. He co-edited NeurodiVERSE, a unique poetry anthology about the neurodivergent experience by

neurodivergent writers, and his debut collection How I Made My Millions is available now.

“A vital new voice in stand-up poetry. Young, angry and very funny.” Kate Fox, stand-up poet

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Henry Normal is a writer, poet, TV and film producer, founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival (now the Manchester Literature Festival) and co-founder of the Nottingham Poetry Festival. In June 2017 he was honoured with a special BAFTA for services to television.

Henry co-wrote and script edited the multi-award-winning Mrs Merton Show and the spin-off series Mrs Merton and Malcolm. He also co-created and co-wrote the first series of The Royle Family. With Steve Coogan, he co-wrote the BAFTA-winning Paul and Pauline Calf Video Diaries, Coogan’s Run, Tony Ferrino, Doctor Terrible, all of Steve’s live tours, and the film The Parole Officer. Setting up Baby Cow Productions Ltd in 1999, Henry Executive Produced all and script edited many of the shows during his tenure as MD. Highlights of the Baby Cow output during this time include Oscar-nominated Philomena, Gavin and Stacey, Moone Boy, The Mighty Boosh, Uncle, Nighty Night, Hunderby, Camping and Alan Partridge.

Since retiring in April 2016, Henry has written and performed nine BBC Radio 4 shows for his ‘occasional series’ A Normal…, combining poetry, comedy and stories about his life and family.

His latest title, Collected Poems Volume Two, is available now from Flapjack Press, and an all-new collection, The Fire Hills, is coming soon.