Jim Ferris’s poems have been described as “funny,” “sly,” “Whitmanesque,” and “kind of holy.” He is author of The Hospital Poems (2004), Facts of Life, (2005), and his latest, Slouching Towards Guantanamo (2011). One reviewer said “Notwithstanding the spiritual weight they carry, these poems are playful, musical, satirical and passionate” (Jendi Reiter). Ferris has won awards for creative nonfiction and performance as well as for his poetry. His work is featured in Beauty Is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability (2011). Ferris currently holds the Ability Center Endowed Chair in Disability Studies at the University of Toledo.

Kaite O'Reilly currently holds the Ted Hughes Award for new works in poetry forher version of Aeschylus's PERSIANS, produced by National Theatre Wales in 2010. A multi-award winning writer and playwright, productions in 2012 include LeanerFasterStronger with Sheffield Crucible in May, and In Water I'm Weightless with National Theatre Wales - both Cultural Olympiad projects, part of the celebrations for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Further information on her work can be found at: www.kaiteoreilly.com and her blog on writing processes:

www.kaiteoreilly.wordpress.com

Chris Kinsey is Writer-in-Residence at Oriel Davies. She has been BBC Wildlife Poet-of-the-Year and writes a regular nature diary for Cambria. She has contributed to numerous anthologies and magazines and has three collections published: Kung Fu Lullabies and Cure For a Crooked Smile with Ragged Raven Press and Swarf with Smokestack Books. She is inspired by wildlife: human, animal and bird. Chris has also had short dramas read at Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Venue Cymru.

Tickets: £5

The Gallery Cafe will be open for drinks and light refreshments