Books / Poetry
Interview: Amerah Saleh
Poet, performer and producer, Amerah Saleh, is the co-founder of Verve Poetry Press, and her debut poetry collection, I Am Not from Here, was published earlier this year. Ahead of her appearance in Bristol next week she spoke to Bristol 24/7 about her work.
You say on your website that “creativity rekindles our souls with life.” What role do you think writers and performers can play in these turbulent times?
A writer’s role is to absorb stories and re-share them to the world, we are documenting these times and sharing them with audiences that may not necessarily understand another perspective.
is needed now More than ever
What made you want to set up Verve Poetry Press?
There was something missing from Birmingham; Verve Poetry Festival was born out of something missing for spoken word poetry. So when me and Stuart sat down it only felt right to set up the press and celebrate Birmingham’s talent.
Which do you prefer, writing or performing?
I enjoy both simultaneously, I love the solace in writing something and figuring out why I am not comfortable with a line or fixing it. By the same token, I enjoy the thrill of sharing my words with an audience. Is that a cop out?
How conscious of an audience are you when you’re writing?
I don’t think about my audience when I write actually, I mean it’s lovely to keep them in mind but I tend to write because whatever I need to write is coming out, and then I decide whether it needs a stage or it was written for another reason. This is obviously different for commissions, you are balancing a lot of people’s expectations but I try to always write for myself and not for other people.
As a producer you work a lot with young people. How much influence has that had on your own work?
It influences me in terms of the events I put on, the events I produce are generally designed with young people. It may subconsciously influence my writing, but I don’t think I actively write for young people. I write to share a story combined with elements of my story for anyone.
Can you give us any clues about what you’ll be performing at Spotlight?
I will be reading from my brand new collection I Am Not from Here and I am so excited!
Amerah Saleh will be appearing at Spotlight on July 18 at Crofter’s Rights. For full information, visit www.facebook.com/events/177490176428223/
Read more: Interview with poet and performer, Salena Godden
Photo: Paul Stringer
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