Open All Hours (January 2024)
short story; “9-5”
Open All Hours is the 2024 Shape Open exhibition. This year, we explore the pressurised relationship we have with time, productivity, and the pace of our modern, increasingly digital, society.
The exhibition was held at 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning in Herne Hill, London from Tuesday 9th – Sunday 21st January 2024.
Photograph opposite by Rachel Cherry.
Ey Up Again (December 2023)
poem; “the path of beauty”
Ey Up Again is an anthology of Northern writing. Containing poetry and prose from 65 (!) writers either living in, hailing from, or adopted by the North of England, it is an absolute must-read for anyone hankering for a bit of Northern soul. It’s a whopper, too, at 144 glorious, gravy-soaked pages (not literally. That would be gross).
“the path of beauty”, is written about my mum and I.
The anthology is available to buy here.
Relics of Unbearable Softness (October 2023)
poem; “i love the way”
Relics of Unbearable Softness is a collection radiating from queer joy. It is a celebration of our endurance and our love for every single one of us. This is a tribute to the soft, safe place of joy we were made to exist within. Embrace queer joy with us.
“i love the way”, is written for my partner of 5 and half years.
The anthology is available to buy here.
Hannah’s Bookshelf is a weekly literature radio show on North Manchester FM hosted by Clayton Hall writer-in-residence, Hannah Kate.
“The Autumn Vixen”, is about the reader encountering an autumnal spirit. You can buy the copy of Little Thoughts Press that it is published in here.
The Autumn Equinox Special will air at 2pm on 22 September 2023, but you will also be able to listen afterwards here.
SODA MA Show (September 2023)
poem; “To Let”
Animator Rebecca Horswill approached me about adapting my poem “To Let” into an animation for her final piece at the School for Digital Arts. The completed animation will be shown at the university’s 2023 MA Show, which lasts from 21-28 September 2023.
“To Let” is a poem I wrote about leaving my childhood home, and my hometown, behind.
CHANGELING ANNUAL (May 2023)
short children’s story; “Crush”
Changeling Annual is a print and digital children’s magazine featuring solely neurodivergent artists, poets and fiction writers. I founded this as a project in 2022.
“Crush” is a stand-alone short story following characters established in my previous short story, “Vampire Hunter Jess”, published in “Tales of the Bold, the Brave and the Beautiful”.
BELOVED (May 2023)
poem; “Discovery”
Beloved is a print zine dedicated to the beauty of Butch & Femme identities, dynamics, and culture.
“Discovery” is a poem I wrote several years ago, about the love between myself and my butch.
FOUND FAMILY (March 2023)
short story; “The Beekeeper”
Coin-Operated Press is a Scotland-based queer-led social enterprise run by Chloe Henderson & Katie McCann.
“The Beekeeper” is a story I wrote several years ago, about a beekeeper and her wife, and the life they built together. It’s about the everlasting nature of love, however fleeting our existences may be. It was first published by Deep Overstock.
ANOTHER’S TREASURE (March 2023)
poem; “Charity Shop Poem”
A collaborative zine about charity shops. With contributions from 12 different authors, this zine includes thought pieces, poems, lists, illustrations, photographs and discussions on the topic of charity and thrift shops.
My poem “Charity Shop Poem” is my silliest poem yet, about a rare doll I found in a shop by the sea.
Buy the zine here.
in•spire: poems with breath in them (February 2023)
poem; “Later”
Fragmented Voices is an international press connecting people with stories from across the globe, based in Newcastle, United Kingdom and Prague, Czech Republic.
My poem “Later” explores the experience of watching my partner’s cat grow old.
The online launch was on Feb 4th.
Buy the Big Book here.
LITTLE THOUGHTS PRESS (January 2023)
interview
Little Thoughts Press is a print literary magazine designed for a youth audience ages ten and under.
STORYTIME MAGAZINE ISSUE 101 (January 2023)
short children’s story; “Floorboard Fairies”
Storytime is one of the UK’s leading kids magazines – packed with fairy tales, new and classic stories, awesome animals, inspirational children, myths, legends, gorgeous illustrations, puzzles, games and much, much more!
My short children’s story “Floorboard Fairies” is the story of Kate, who has fairies living between her bedroom floorboards. One night, Kate and her friends go to visit the dragon husbands who live in the woods.
WHATEVER’S LEFT: A BLACKOUT POETRY ZINE (December 2022)
poem; “Fragments; Complete”
Coin-Operated Press is a Scotland-based queer-led social enterprise run by Chloe Henderson & Katie McCann.
My poem, “Fragments Complete” is inspired by Sappho’s incomplete woman-loving poetry. Fragments, in this blackout poem, find completion.
Changeling IDDP Performances at Central Library (December 2022)
Changeling Annual is an upcoming children’s publication set up by myself, and supported by Contact Theatre, featuring art and writing for children, by neurodivergent creatives.
Writerly Changeling participants were invited to perform their poems and fiction extracts at Manchester Central Library’s International Day of Disabled Person’s celebrations.
Central Library’s IDDP celebrations was on 2nd December 2022.
LITTLE THOUGHTS PRESS ISSUE 04 (October 2022)
children’s short story; “The Autumn Vixen”
Little Thoughts Press is a print literary magazine designed for a youth audience ages ten and under.
My short story for Issue 04, “The Autumn Vixen”, is about the reader encountering an autumnal spirit.
Issue 04 of Little Thoughts Press, “Autumnatipoeia” will be available to purchase from 28th October, 2022. Here is a link to the Little Thoughts Press shop.
VAINE MAGAZINE ISSUE 06 (October 2022)
poem; “Same”
VAINE Magazine is a magazine and creative platform giving voice to emerging artists and writers.
My poem for Issue 06, “Same”, is inspired by my complex feelings around moving from my home town in South Manchester to the West Midlands, and the comfort of a familiar sound.
Issue 06 of VAINE Magazine, “Place & Identity” will be available to purchase digitally and physically from 13th October, 2022. Here is a link to the VAINE Magazine shop.
CHANGELING ANNUAL SUBMISSION CALL OUT (September 2022)
Changeling Annual is an upcoming publication of art, writing and activities produced entirely by (grown-up) neurodivergent creatives, for an audience of children aged 8+.
The aim of Changeling is to highlight more neurodivergent talent in the world of children’s publishing.
I created Changeling as part of Contact Theatre’s 2022 Future Fires scheme. Contact Theatre is supporting and funding me to deliver the first run of this project.
Submissions close November 1st 2022. Successful applicants will be published digitally and in print. They will also receive £5 plus a copy of the physical collection.
The collection is projected to be published digitally and in print next Spring.
Future Fires is a long-standing Contact Theatre programme, supporting young artists to develop creative programmes for their communities.
I was selected for Future Fires in June, and began workshops in July with Contact Theatre to develop my idea. I was trained in project management throughout July and August, and my project, Changeling Annual, was officially launched in September 2022.
DEEP OVERSTOCK FICTION PODCAST (July 2022)
short story; “The Beekeeper”
The Deep Overstock Fiction Podcast is hosted by Z.B. Wagman and Mike Santiago on an alternating basis.
“The Beekeeper” is a story I wrote several years ago, about a beekeeper and her wife, and the life they built together. It’s about the everlasting nature of love, however fleeting our existences may be.
Listen to me read “The Beekeeper” on Deep Overstock’s Fiction Podcast here. You can also listen on Spotify.
DEEP OVERSTOCK ISSUE 17 (July 2022)
short story; “The Beekeeper”
Deep Overstock is a quarterly journal that publishes writing by booksellers.
“The Beekeeper” is a story I wrote several years ago, about a beekeeper and her wife, and the life they built together. It’s about the everlasting nature of love, however fleeting our existences may be.
BOOKA BOOKSHOP BLOG (June 2022)
article; “A Bookseller’s Journey to Becoming a Published Children’s Author”
To accompany my reading of “Vampire Hunter Jess” at Booka Bookshop, I wrote an article about my journey to publication for their blog. You can read this here.
TALES OF THE BOLD, THE BRAVE AND THE BEAUTIFUL (June 2022)
children’s short story; “Vampire Hunter Jess”)
‘A fantastic collection. Highly recommended!’
Jacqueline Wilson
‘I absolutely love this collection. 100% recommended’
Alex Wheatle
From a new wave of breathtakingly brilliant children’s writers – eleven brand-new original tales featuring the boldest, the bravest and the most beautiful cast of characters this side of anywhere!
“Vampire Hunter Jess” is a funny and heart-warming story for children that follows 10-year-old Jess, an autistic lesbian, determined to find proof that her neighbour is a vampire. Told through a mix of prose and unanswered text messages, this story has light LGBTQ+ themes, and also explores grief, friendship, and found family
Order “Tales of the Bold, the Brave and the Beautiful” here. Our launch evening was June 4th, 2022.
PRIDE IN TRAFFORD (May 2022)
children’s short story reading; “Vampire Hunter Jess”
Vampire Hunter Jess is a funny and heart-warming story for children that follows 10-year-old Jess, an autistic girl who is determined to find proof that her neighbour is a vampire.
“Vampire Hunter Jess” is one of eleven brand-new original tales featured in Stories of Care‘s upcoming children’s anthology, “Tales of the Bold, the Brave and the Beautiful”.
My (first ever!) reading of “Vampire Hunter Jess” took place at Sale Library on Tuesday 17th May 2022, as part of Pride in Trafford.
LUCENT DREAMING ISSUE 11 (May 2022)
poem; “Nesting Cosmos”
Lucent Dreaming is an independent magazine of creative writing.
“Nesting Cosmos” is a poem I wrote following a dream about a cosmic mother bird.
Issue 11 was published in May 2022. You can order it here.
OUR HOMES (April 2022)
zine contribution; “Home Is…”
Our Homes is an exploration of the experiences of home for ill, deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. Creatives from across Greater Manchester joined to create a zine filled with experiences of home. It was created in collaboration with Drawn Poorly, Short Supply and Contact, supported by Arts Council England.
“Our Homes” launched 11th April, 2022 at Contact Theatre.
My contribution “HOME IS…” is the last to appear on page 37, alongside my fellow Young Creatives’ contributions.
DIS:Play (April 2022)
documentary installation; “Taking Up Space”
DIS:Play is an immersive living history museum created by young disabled creatives from across Greater Manchester, in collaboration with Director Sam Holley-Horseman. Combining live performance, sensory spaces, and digital installations, this hybrid event has access and activism at its heart.
My piece, “Taking Up Space”, documents 14 days of my life in snapshots, audio, and poetry, to bring my audience up close to my experience of my autism. I am proud and thrilled to bits to get to work alongside so many talented artists.
Performances took place at Contact Theatre, Manchester on 9th April 2022.
“Taking Up Space” can be experienced as a YouTube playlist here.
I wrote a blog piece for Contact about the process behind Taking Up Space. You can read this here.
BRIGHTER (Dec 2021)
poetic prose; short film “Discovery”
Outbox Theatre made four short films based on the writing submitted to the BRIGHTER project. A screening of these films took place on the December 8th 2021.
The University of Manchester also hosted a screening of LGBT short films for LGBT+ History Month – including “Discovery” – on February 9th 2022.
Written by Emmy Clarke
Directed by Barry Fitzgerald
Performed by Lua Bairstow
Produced by Char Boden
Music composed by Shiloh Coke
Edited by Cecil Fenn
“ALL MY JOYS” (Dec 2021)
prose; short film
The prose for this short film was inspired by the prompt “Schedule”, given to me at a workshop as part of the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People’s Young Creatives project – a collaboration between GMCDP, Archives+, and Contact Theatre.
I chose to write about my schedule as an autistic person, and the everyday joys I experience as a consequence. Later I was assisted by Sam Holley-Horseman to put together a short film to be shown at an event held for International Day of Disabled Persons.
A screening of this film took place on 3rd December 2021 at Manchester Central Library and the 4th December 2021 at the People’s History Museum.
BRIGHTER (2021)
poetic prose; “Discovery”
Outbox Theatre started the BRIGHTER project in 2020. LGBTIQ+ people from across the UK were asked to write about the future.
“Discovery” is a piece I wrote inspired by the beauty and magic of lesbian love between myself and my partner, who is also featured in this gorgeous collection.
WOMEN OF THE WILD (2017)
flash fiction; “The Fox Mother”
Women of the Wild brought together poetry and fiction from established authors and newcomers.
“The Fox Mother” is a strange little piece that came to me fully formed in a dream, as is the case with much of my work.
UNBURIED FABLES (2016)
short story; “Brenna”
Unburied Fables enlisted talent from around the world. From students to seasoned professionals, these writers came together to raise awareness and reinvent classic stories.
“Brenna” is a loose retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Ferdinand the Faithful and Ferdinand the Unfaithful”, with a lesbian twist.
emmy clarke 