New River Press are honoured to have been invited to host a Special Edition at the National Poetry Library. As well as showcasing work by our writers, this evening we will be remembering our esteemed colleague Heathcote Williams at the first anniversary of his death on 1 July 2017. 

We are extremely proud to present the debut readings from two books forthcoming with New River Press: Breastmilk Martini by Lisa Luxx, and BABYLON (a neoliberal theodicy) And Other Poems by Niall McDevitt. This night is also a rare opportunity to see extended readings of original work from both Robert Montgomery and Greta Bellamacina, as well as other work by New River poets read by editor Heathcote Ruthven. All in the beautiful setting of the National Poetry Library.  

BABYLON (a neoliberal theodicy) And Other Poems is an epic new work that McDevitt was inspired to write following a 2016 trip to Iraq. In it he readapts ancient Babylonian texts into a modern critique of capitalism. It includes The Tower of Babylon, a haunting parable about Grenfell Tower published in the New River Press Poetry Yearbook 2017/18: Year Of The Propaganda Corrupted Plebiscites. 

Breastmilk Martini is a poetic and philosophical exploration on love. Or how love is stolen from the female body. It's a re-telling of beauty, with a renewed vision of community. It's a guide for unlearning love, with hope. It's for love anarchists everywhere. Dazed and Confused said of Lisa Luxx: “Her poems are sensitive and revolutionary – always kind, always fierce.” 

Heathcote Ruthven will read work by Robert Lundquist, Heathcote Williams, Barbara Polla, Chris McCabe, Jamie Lee, Ana Seferorvic, and himself. 

This evening will start promptly at 8pm and finish before 9:30pm. The event is free but please reserve a space here whilst tickets are available.