Threads II (Coming soon - new book)

 

Coming soon - end of October 2026

Following Threads and its stories of isolation at Christmas, Threads II returns to Guide Bridge train station with ten new winter tales. As the cold settles in and Christmas approaches, ten strangers find themselves drawn into each other’s lives in ways they could never expect.

In Threads II, among 10 separate stories, we encounter a secretary quietly in love with her boss and forced to take action which it looks like it may lose him, a young barista who meets a writer who changes her life forever, a father‑figure having a panic attack just before a Christening and a woman climbing out of a toilet window to escape a horrific date.

In Threads II, each story is a snapshot of vulnerability and resilience. Woven through snow, train journeys, and quiet streets, Threads II is a collection about the moments that stay with us long after they pass, crossing in between others' lives. 

Speak Easy thank you's and how to book for September 2026

 

A special thank you to all who attended our Speak Easy night last night at Dulicmer, Chorlton. We had a lovely, supportive crowd I guess of around 42 or 43 people and me and Steve would like to thank the following readers for attending: 1. Paul Robb 2. Rusell Berg 3. Deborah Black 4. Katryna 5. Martin Elder 6. Jack Henry 7. Amanda Nicholson 8. Lynn Walton 9. Andy Cash 10. Martin CM 11. Tom Butterworth 12. Andy N 13. David Bond 14. Steve Smythe 15. Roy Page Steve and I are both away (Not together, I need to state LOL), so the next Speak Easy will be back on Thursday 03 September. Bookings open this Sunday 05 July 2026 from 12 Noon. P.S. – Photographs to follow over the weekend

4.  

Speak Easy, July 2026 readers

 

Enclosed below is a list of readers for Speak Easy next week on Thursday 02 July 2026 at Chorlton's

Dulicmer.

Night will be starting around 7.30pm.

Free admission.

All enquires - Email: aen1mpo@yahoo.co.uk

#poetryopenmic #openmic #spokenword #spokenwordopenmic #poetry #chorltonopenmic #chorltonpoetry #manchesteropenmic #manchester

Andy N

Steve S

Jack Henry

Martin Elder

Eve Chancellor

Lynn Walton

Martin CM

Lindy Newns

Andy Cash

Jared More

Rufus

Deborah Black

Alexis Brown

Danielle Byrne

Russell Berg

Tom Butterworth

Alison Knowles

Paul Robb

Mark Taylor

David Bond

Roxanne

Petrova C Fairhurst

Half Beard Half Poet (Spoken Label, April 2026)

 

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features making his debut is the wonderful Half Beard Half Poet.

A product of the early 2010s Mancunian poetry scene Half Beard Half Poet (then using the alias Benny-Jo Zahl) burned bright but briefly. Three years after discovering poetry in 2009 he was published as a member of the Working Verse collective alongside Kieren King and Dave Viney Via Flapjack press (The Prequel to the Sequel), co-wrote and performed two plays with Working Verse that debuted in the Lowery theatre (Amateur Thematics – 2012, Writer's Retweet – 2013) and co-hosted Bang Said The Gun: Manchester. 

In May 2014 at the Evidently poetry night in Salford he gave his last performance, until one fateful day in October 2023, when he walked into a therapist’s office holding notebook and pen…

What some people have said about him: 

"I’ve admired these poems for years, but for too long they’ve not been on our stages. It’s amazing to see not only their return but also even more exciting, emotive, excellent new words coming from this engaging and inspired writer and performer. Yes, heavier than metal, and shining twice as brightly! 

– Dominic Berry, 2017 Glastonbury Festival Poet in Residence and winner of the Saboteur ‘Best Spoken Word Artist’ award 2020 and 2017.

“I like the ones with the guinea pigs” – Kim Moores, Love of my life.

“That’s pure gold” – Rupert Holmes, singer song writer of “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” upon hearing a performance of the poem on page 17.

More details can be found here:

https://halfbeardhalfpoet.co.uk/

*

Show can be streamed at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOtXR4BXHyI (Chat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6qXFZlTOew (Reading)

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/half-beard-half-poet-spoken-label-april-2026/id1501847969?i=1000760690167

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/spokenlabelpodcast/episodes/Half-Beard-Half-Poet-Spoken-Label--April-2026-e3hfaci

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0GWRTKRR7?ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=a202f891-0d90-47a2-ac3f-8ebc4b2943db&pf_rd_r=F9FQBAPAMXFJ5ZAW6YEV&plink=elkdxMSMmG0YsTUn&pageLoadId=CTjqunxXGsJo6BO6&creativeId=43463e8d-6f2b-4d01-a759-854a1034c4b8&ref=a_podcast_S_c4_lAsin_0_0

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZmQXDVD1l2vzu67SnlsKd

https://andynartist.substack.com/p/half-beard-half-poet-spoken-label

Krystal Gypsy Orellano (Spoken Label, April 2026)

 

Latest up from Spoken Label (Spoken Word / Poetry Podcast) features the return of our friend, the amazing Krystal 'Gypsy' Orellano Weldon.

Krystal “Gypsy” Orellano Weldon is a Tampa, Florida–based spoken word artist, poet, writer, and composition professor. As an educator, she teaches writing at the college level, where she is passionate about helping students find their voice, develop critical thinking skills, and use writing as a tool for self-expression and empowerment.

Her work in the classroom reflects her broader mission to uplift diverse voices and create space for meaningful storytelling.

Known throughout the Tampa Bay community for her presence in the open mic scene, Krystal has been featured in events such as Pinot & Poetry: A Toast to Herstory and began her artistic journey with the USF Poets.

Her performances are rooted in authenticity, emotion, and cultural expression, resonating with a wide range of audiences.

Her writing spans poetry and creative nonfiction, with publications in The Sandbox (St. Petersburg College’s newspaper), The Sandhill Review (Saint Leo University), and recognition as a runner-up in the University of Westminster’s 2017 Mental Health Poetry Competition.In addition to her academic and literary work, Krystal is currently in the process of producing a poetry album that blends spoken word with musical expression. She is also working on her upcoming novel, The Lover’s Passion Lounge, continuing to expand her voice across multiple creative platforms.

*

Can be heard/seen at: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/spoken-label/id1501847969

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/spokenlabelpodcast/episodes/Krystal-Gypsy-Orellano-Weldon-Spoken-Label--April-2026-e3hf92b

https://open.spotify.com/episode/32gi4t5HMuNwLuO4mcL1C0

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/B0GW68TH79?creativeId=43463e8d-6f2b-4d01-a759-854a1034c4b8&loginAttempt=true&pageLoadId=hT5BCVKONIdOXYnS&plink=lMYicVMkYYpyiqAR&ref=a_podcast_S_c4_lAsin_0_0&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34UsvdBFITw (Chat)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl-OxcbCSbw (Reading)

https://andynartist.substack.com/p/krystal-gypsy-orellano-weldon-spoken

Talin “Tally” Vartanian - Spoken Label, April 2026

 

Latest up from Spoken Label (Poetry Podcast) features making her debut, the amazing Talin “Tally” Vartanian.

Talin “Tally” Vartanian is a writer, actress, and photographer who resides somewhere in Los Angeles, CA.

When she’s not struggling to keep her head above water, she loves to play video games, walk on hiking trails, and cook something new in her tiny kitchen.

The Instagram feed, which we do an in-depth study on, can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/talinthepoet/

*

Can be seen at:

https://andynartist.substack.com/p/talin-tally-vartanian-spoken-label

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRwMMQEC_RU

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/talin-tally-vartanian-spoken-label-march-2026/id1501847969?i=1000757962134

https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/ITEM_NAME/B0GT28D1XL?ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=a202f891-0d90-47a2-ac3f-8ebc4b2943db&pf_rd_r=AHSTM77WMYZ4PKG0JBT1&plink=50Pzip2tDPkgMhSM&pageLoadId=qeFpSv466XxMT5vE&creativeId=43463e8d-6f2b-4d01-a759-854a1034c4b8&ref=a_podcast_S_c4_lAsin_0_0

Speak Easy, April 2026