New Caribbean Voices

This episode `Past & Present` is a collaboration between Peepal Tree Press and Stanza 2021 - Scotland’s International Poetry Festival. Malika Booker asks two Peepal Tree Press poets to share dead poet ancestors who have influenced them. Nii Ayikwei Parkes speaks passionately about the influences of *Atukwei Okai and Kamau Brathwaite on his own writing. While Monica Winsome Minott weaves an engaging tale of the impact of Kamau Brathwaite on her poetics. Malika Booker also reveals an admiration with the poet Louise Bennett that began during her childhood. The New Caribbean Voices celebrates the best of Caribbean and Black British literature and culture. Produced by Melody Triumph for Peepal Tree Press. Artwork featured `Rainbirds` is by Stanley Greaves. Music by Chris Campbell. With special thanks to Arts Council England and the Clarissa Luard Award.

This sixth episode features two Black British writers. Here the poet and presenter Malika Booker speaks in depth to Yorkshire based writer Seni Seneviratne, about the art of writing, Seni’s writing shed, her commission as part of the Colonial Countryside Project: National Trust Houses Reinterpreted and her recent collection Unknown Soldier. Then Welsh based poet Marvin Thompson reads his poem The Baboon Chronicles from his debut poetry collection Road Trip. Both of these Black British Poets featured collections have been Poetry Book Society Recommendations. The New Caribbean voices podcast celebrates the best of Caribbean and black British literature and culture. Produced by Melody Triumph for Peepal Tree Press, Artwork featured `Rainbow` is by Stanley Greaves. Music by Chris Campbell. With special thanks to Arts Council England and the Clarissa Luard Award.

In this fifth episode poet and presenter Malika Booker converses with Trinidadian-born British novelist Monique Roffey in their office at Manchester Metropolitan University. They speak about Roffey’s prize winning novel, Mermaid of Black Conch (Winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2020) then the writer shares an excerpt from her enchanting novel. We then travel to Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival to hear Trinidadian poet Lauren K. Alleyne reading from her collection Honeyfish. The New Caribbean voices podcast celebrates the best of Caribbean and black British literature and culture. Produced by Melody Triumph for Peepal Tree Press, Artwork featured `Rainbow` is by Stanley Greaves. Music by Chris Campbell. With special thanks to Arts Council England and the Clarissa Luard Award.

In this episode enjoy an interview with J Edward Chamberlin, author of Come Back to Me My Language - West Indian Poetry plus readings and conversation from the archives, when Peepal Tree authors gathered at 17 Kings Avenue prior to the inaugural Leeds Lit festival in 2019. Listen out for Roger Robinson talking about his hopes for his then forthcoming collection, A Portable Paradise. Featuring host and curator, Malika Booker, Ted Chamberlin, plus readings from Degna Stone, Nick Makoha, Seni Seneviratne, Roger Robinson, Desiree Reynolds, Jacqueline Bishop and Anthony Joseph.

This special extended episode features a round-up by Jeremy Poynting of some of the important books published by Peepal Tree Press in the last decade, Malika Booker in conversation with writer Anton Nimblett, poetry from Unwritten: Caribbean Poems After the First World War edited by Karen McCarthy Woolf, and read by Tanya Shirley, Ishion Hutchinson, Vladimir Lucien and Malika Booker herself, plus an exclusive interview with 2020 T.S. Eliot prize-winner Roger Robinson! The New Caribbean Voices podcast celebrates the best of Caribbean and Black British literature and culture. Produced by Melody Triumph for Peepal Tree Press. Artwork featured 'Rainbirds' is by Stanley Greaves. Music by Chris Campbell. With special thanks to Arts Council England and the Clarissa Luard Award. Visit https://www.peepaltreepress.com/blog/new-caribbean-voices-podcast

Poet and presenter Malika Booker talks in depth to Jamaican writer and artist Jacqueline Bishop in this second episode of Peepal Tree Press's literary podcast. Plus Leone Ross reads her short story, 'President Daisy', drawn from her latest book, Come let Us Sing Anyway. Produced by Melody Triumph for Peepal Tree Press. Artwork featured 'Rainbirds' is by Stanley Greaves. Music by Chris Campbell. With special thanks to Arts Council England and the Clarissa Luard Award. Visit https://www.peepaltreepress.com/blog/new-caribbean-voices-podcast

Poet and presenter Malika Booker sits down with Peepal Tree Press’ founder and managing editor Jeremy Poynting to discuss everything from where the idea for the #NewCaribbeanVoices podcast began to why it is such an important platform going forward. Plus “Book Reviews Round-up” with Shivanee Ramlochan, and an exclusive excerpt from Barabara Jenkins' latest novel, De Rightest Place. Produced by Melody Triumph for Peepal Tree Press. Artwork featured 'Rainbirds' is by Stanley Greaves. Music by Chris Cambell. With special thanks to Arts Council England and the Clarissa Luard Award. Visit https://www.peepaltreepress.com/blog/new-caribbean-voices-podcast