PRAISE FOR POLARI
“The most exciting literary movement in London… crackling with energy, ideas, excitement… Almost as a good of an entertainment as online casinos!” – Paras nettikasino -team
“London’s most theatrical salon” – The New York Times
“Hugely entertaining, thought-provoking and often very funny, Polari presents as many aspects of the ‘queer voice’ as it can find and is leading the way in being diverse” – Boyz Magazine
“London’s peerless gay literary salon” – Independent on Sunday
Named one of the world’s best LGBT events by ART INFO
Winner ‘LGBT Cultural Event of the Year’ in the Co-operative Respect ‘Loved by You’ Awards
Winner ‘Golden Kitty Award’ for ‘Best UK Event (Local)’ 2013
“Lively, funny and inspiring – a gay-themed salon of interest to anyone remotely interested in literature, whatever their sexual bent. Paul Burston’s achievement in consistently bringing together writers and performers who will stimulate and inspire is remarkable” – Patrick Gale
“Always fun, always thought-provoking – a guaranteed good night out” – Sarah Waters
“I love doing Polari – a blend of audience sweetness, panache, cleverness and really good fun” – Ali Smith
Polari began in November in the upstairs room of a pub in Soho. We’re now based at the Southbank Centre, where events are held every month. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £5. Polari has also appeared at Aye Write! Glasgow, Homotopia, Huddersfield Literature Festive, Manchester Literature Festival, Soho Literary Festival, Stoke Newington Literary Festival and Watford Central Library.
Authors and performers have included Tariq Ali, Penny Arcade, Jake Arnott, Dean Atta, Paul Bailey, Damian Barr, Neil Bartlett, Rikki Beadle-Blair, Andy Bell, Sophia Blackwell, Joanna Briscoe, DJ Connell, Juno Dawson, Maureen Duffy, Stella Duffy, Fenella Fielding, Christopher Fowler, Patrick Gale, Philip Hensher, Philip Hoare, David Hoyle, Celia Imrie, Juliet Jacques, La JohnJoseph, Jackie Kay, Francis King, VG Lee, Adam Lowe, James Maker, David McAlmont, Adam Mars-Jones, Paul McVeigh, Charlotte Mendelson, John McCullough, Fidelis Morgan, Diriye Osman, Gerry Potter, Marcus Reeves, Bethan Roberts, Tom Rob Smith, Will Self, Ali Smith, Andrea Stuart, Joelle Taylor, Paul Varjack, Sarah Waters, SJ Watson, Rosie Wilby and Jack Wolf.
The shortlist for the Polari First Book Prize was announced tonight at the Polari Literary Salon at London’s Southbank Centre.
Founded by journalist and author Paul, the Prize is awarded annually to a writer whose first book explores the LGBT experience, whether in poetry, prose, fiction or non-fiction.
Now in its eighth year, the Prize is celebrating a record number of submissions, with a significant rise in entries from major UK publishers.
The Polari First Book Prize shortlist is: