Before 9pm, Books, Poetry

A session with the immensely talented poet and editor Christopher Reid, winner of the 2009 Costa Book Award for his collection A Scattering, written as a tribute to his late wife.

The Scottish Borders' most talented young poets accept their awards. Ages 9+.

An afternoon devoted to 1980s indie band The Smiths, in which singer-songwriter Rory Nellis performs tracks from their back catalogue, local poet Stephen Connolly reads from some of Morrissey's favourite dead poets and actors Jason McLaughlin and Charmaine McBride perform selected scenes from Oscar Wilde's work.

London-based African poets explore notions of culture, identity and finding a voice, featuring Kenyan-born Somali poet Warshan Shire and Ugandan Nick Makoha.

How do you set up a poetry website? What are the advantages and disadvantages of online publishing? Join us as we consider the digital alternative to poetry magazines in discussion with website editors Helen Ivory from 'Ink, Sweat & Tears', Caleb Klaces from 'Like Starlings' and Claire Trévien from 'Sabotage…

The first of three shared readings in which the audience join in. At this intimate event all audience members share in the reading aloud of part of WH Auden and Christopher Isherwood's The Dog Beneath the Skin. Join us as we celebrate the range of poetry in the Poetry Library's collection as part of the library's…

Studio Salford's eclectic cabaret, featuring performances of scripts currently in development, stand-up poetry and comedy, short films, bands, and much more.

Return tickets only 2005 Meltdown curator Patti Smith returns to Southbank Centre for a very intimate evening of poetry and music. Smith is one of the most influential artists of her generation, notably with the release of her debut LP Horses in 1975, her ongoing work as an author of poetry and her acclaimed memoir…

Photographs, paintings, sculpture, poetry and animations by young artists.

Award- winning playwright Barney Norris reads poetry from his first collection of verse.

Poetry are invited to read their works to a like-minded audience.

For the first time, see the Forward Prizes awarded to poets live on stage. The annual Forward Prizes are regarded by poets internationally as the highest of accolades. Past winners include Thom Gunn, Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes and Carol Ann Duffy. As a prelude to National Poetry Day and for the first time in the…

All audience members share in the reading aloud of Ken Smith's Fox Running. This is the second of three intimate shared readings which celebrate the range of poetry in the Poetry Library's collection as part of the library's 60th-birthday celebrations. Saison Poetry Library at Royal Festival Hall

Gerda Stevenson takes a break from acting and directing to launch her first book of poetry.

Regular storytelling club involving song and music aplenty.

Eric Gregory Award-winning poets Heather Phillipson and Emily Berry read from their first book-length collections in an intimate evening at the Saison Poetry Library. Instant-flex 718 is internationally-exhibiting artist Heather Phillipson's much anticipated debut. It's a protest against well-stitched seams, an…

Immigrants to Scotland tell stories about making the country their home in an open mic setting. Musicians Roxana and Peter Vilk lead the session. Booking is essential.

Matthew Townend presents a talk on the poetry comoposed for the last, and most famous, Viking king of York, driven out and killed in 954.

• Written by: Murray Lachlan Young

Windswept Productions presents Murray Lachlan Young's verse drama, set to a 1990s soundtrack, in which mayhem ensues when a couple invite their oldest friends down to the South West from London to help celebrate their wedding anniversary.

A group for writers of all levels of experience to practise performing their work aloud to a supportive group of peers. Suitable for poets, story-writers, novelists, playwrights, experimenters and everyone else looking to improve their performance style. Email inkyfingersedinburgh@gmail.com to book a place.

Traditional song, poetry and storytelling competitions, plus an evening ceilidh.

BBC broadcaster and singer Jumoke Fashola hosts a monthly session of jazz and performance poetry, including an open mic section for the audience to showcase their talents.

A showcase of award-winning local poets, featuring Jean Bleakney, Moyra Donaldson, Maria McManus and Deirdre Cartmill.