Cornerstones of the Imagination: Writing Poetry and Verse for Children and Young People

Dean Atta is an award-winning Black British author and poet whose works have received praise from Bernardine Evaristo and Malorie Blackman. His novel in verse, The Black Flamingo (Hachette, 2020), about a Black gay teen finding his voice through poetry and drag performance, won the Stonewall Book Award and was shortlisted for numerous further prestigious awards. His poetry collection, There is (still) love here (Nine Arches Press, 2022), explores acceptance, queer joy and the power of unapologetically being yourself and fully embracing who you are. 

Nikita Gill is an Irish-Indian poet who has the attention of 700,000 Instagram followers worldwide for her work. Her work offers a shift of perspective which centres women in both Greek and Hindu myth as well as folklore. She has given a TEDx Talk, spoken at every major literary festival in the UK and been shortlisted for the Goodreads Choice Award in poetry three times, the Childrens Poetry Award two times and longlisted for the Jhalak Prize. Gill has written seven poetry collections and two verse novels. Her book of fables for children Animal Tales from India and her newest verse novel for Doctor Who were both out in October 2023.