My Oct 7th 2018 Manchester Literature Festival book launch – hurrah!!!

So after months of labouring away on what I can officially call my debut poetry collection, ‘The Celox And The Clot’, I had my book launch at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation in Manchester as part of the Manchester Literature Festival 2018 produced by our very own Outside The Frame Arts.

With Sarah Yaseen’s mesmerising soundscapes that made the words of my poem dance and dedicated direction by Nikki Mailer with visuals by Andrea and immense support by Sarah-Jane & Cathy at Manchester Literature Festival, the atmosphere was electric!

I’m still basking from the love that was in the room. And a full house sold-out event at that. Hearing the cheering, crying, clicking or whispering from the audience especially when a poet is performing is always encouraging and the audience did not falter.

From pin drop silence during poems, ‘I Will Tell God Everything’ penned after witnessing photographs of barrel bomb injuries in Syria to the roaring laughter during ‘Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy’ after a traffic warden gave me a parking ticket, to the quiet familiarity for those in difficult relationships with ‘Teaspoons’, to the heartwarming recognition of traditional folksongs of resistance with ‘Songs Of Protest’, the audience were taken on a journey that moved them in all sorts of ways.

I thank each and every person who got me here – it really does take a village to make a book! My acknowledgment page is filled with those people – my people. Buy the book and search for yourself!

The link to purchase a copy of my book published by the amazing Burning Eye Books : https://burningeye.bigcartel.com/

So make yourself a brew, cosy up on a sofa and read the collection late into the night. And when you’re through, let me know your thoughts! ❤️

For those of you who want a little taster of the launch : https://youtu.be/o5yA2glifAE

‘I loved watching Hafsah Aneela Bashir perform, read, sing, make our eyes well up, make us laugh! What a way to kick off the Manchester Literature Festival.’ – Shahid Iqbal Khan

”Absolutely mind blowing performance by Hafsah Aneela Bashir today at the launch of her debut poetry book ‘The Celex And The Clot’. Her and her team created such a magical atmosphere, and her words took everyone on a journey of beauty, sorrow and joy. So proud of her!’ – Ali Ilyaas Raza

‘Hafsah Aneela Bashir’s book launch. Inspiring, elegant and energising. Thank you for a lovely evening.’ – Nabila Jameel

‘There are some performances that lift you from the core and give you life. Hafsah Aneela Bashir blew me away today, accompanied by the beautiful music of Sarah Yaseen, her spoken word was powerful, emotional, witty and seeped in nostalgia.’ – Ayesha Razia