A Writer in Residence Event: Simon Armitage In brief Date - 27 March 2025Venue - Gordon Aikman Lecture TheatreSpeakers - Simon Armitage (UK Poet Laureate) and Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence) Book your free ticket via Eventbrite About the eventIn his next event as the University of Edinburgh's Writer in Residence, Michael Pedersen will be in conversation with novelist, playwright and UK Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. Simon will read extracts from throughout his work, and then together they will discuss Simon's career and influences.This event will be followed by a signing, with books provided on the night from Argonaut Books.About the speakersSimon ArmitageSimon Armitage was born and grew up in West Yorkshire. He has published over a dozen poetry collections, including 'Magnetic Field: the Marsden Poems', and acclaimed medieval translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Owl and the Nightingale. He is also the author of two novels and three non-fiction bestsellers.He is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry and the PEN Prize for Translation. An award-winning dramatist, his plays 'The Last Days of Troy' and a contemporary spin on Hansel and Gretel were performed at Shakespeare's Globe.Armitage also writes, records and performs with the band LYR and has received an Ivor Novello Award for his song writing. His book 'Never Good with Horses' features his song lyrics for the first time and celebrates his ear for the music of language.Simon is the current UK Poet Laureate, having been appointed in 2019, as well as Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. He has two upcoming books this year - 'Dwell' and 'New Cemetery', releasing in May and September respectively.Michael PedersenMichael Pedersen is the Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh from September 2023 until June 2025, and the Edinburgh Makar from 2024 to 2027. His prose debut 'Boy Friends' was published by Faber & Faber in 2022 to rave reviews and was a Sunday Times Critics Choice. A recipient of the Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship, his third poetry collection 'The Cat Prince' was published by Little Brown in 2023—the title poem of which was shortlisted for the Forward Prizes for Poetry. For over ten years he co-ran, curated and hosted the prize-winning literary production house Neu! Reekie!. His first novel, 'Muckle Flugga', is set to be published in May 2025.How to attendThis event is free to attend, and open to all. Spaces can be reserved via Eventbrite. Book your free ticket via Eventbrite Are you interested in English Literature at Edinburgh?We offer a wide range of undergraduate programmes, taught masters, and research degrees, including a Masters by Research and a PhD. As an undergraduate, you will read works of literature written in English from around the world, and encounter a range of ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study.Our courses explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national, international and imperial cultures. Working with colleagues in LLC and across the wider University, we are able to support postgraduate research which crosses boundaries between languages and disciplines. Find out more about studying English Literature at Edinburgh Mar 27 2025 18.45 - 19.45 A Writer in Residence Event: Simon Armitage An in-person discussion between Simon Armitage (UK Poet Laureate) and Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence). Simon will perform readings, as well as answer questions and sign copies of his books. Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre George Square University of Edinburgh EH8 9LK Find the venue: Gordon Aikman Book your free ticket on Eventbrite
A Writer in Residence Event: Simon Armitage In brief Date - 27 March 2025Venue - Gordon Aikman Lecture TheatreSpeakers - Simon Armitage (UK Poet Laureate) and Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence) Book your free ticket via Eventbrite About the eventIn his next event as the University of Edinburgh's Writer in Residence, Michael Pedersen will be in conversation with novelist, playwright and UK Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. Simon will read extracts from throughout his work, and then together they will discuss Simon's career and influences.This event will be followed by a signing, with books provided on the night from Argonaut Books.About the speakersSimon ArmitageSimon Armitage was born and grew up in West Yorkshire. He has published over a dozen poetry collections, including 'Magnetic Field: the Marsden Poems', and acclaimed medieval translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Owl and the Nightingale. He is also the author of two novels and three non-fiction bestsellers.He is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry and the PEN Prize for Translation. An award-winning dramatist, his plays 'The Last Days of Troy' and a contemporary spin on Hansel and Gretel were performed at Shakespeare's Globe.Armitage also writes, records and performs with the band LYR and has received an Ivor Novello Award for his song writing. His book 'Never Good with Horses' features his song lyrics for the first time and celebrates his ear for the music of language.Simon is the current UK Poet Laureate, having been appointed in 2019, as well as Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. He has two upcoming books this year - 'Dwell' and 'New Cemetery', releasing in May and September respectively.Michael PedersenMichael Pedersen is the Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh from September 2023 until June 2025, and the Edinburgh Makar from 2024 to 2027. His prose debut 'Boy Friends' was published by Faber & Faber in 2022 to rave reviews and was a Sunday Times Critics Choice. A recipient of the Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship, his third poetry collection 'The Cat Prince' was published by Little Brown in 2023—the title poem of which was shortlisted for the Forward Prizes for Poetry. For over ten years he co-ran, curated and hosted the prize-winning literary production house Neu! Reekie!. His first novel, 'Muckle Flugga', is set to be published in May 2025.How to attendThis event is free to attend, and open to all. Spaces can be reserved via Eventbrite. Book your free ticket via Eventbrite Are you interested in English Literature at Edinburgh?We offer a wide range of undergraduate programmes, taught masters, and research degrees, including a Masters by Research and a PhD. As an undergraduate, you will read works of literature written in English from around the world, and encounter a range of ideas about the nature and purpose of literary study.Our courses explore the relationship between literary texts and the construction of national, international and imperial cultures. Working with colleagues in LLC and across the wider University, we are able to support postgraduate research which crosses boundaries between languages and disciplines. Find out more about studying English Literature at Edinburgh Mar 27 2025 18.45 - 19.45 A Writer in Residence Event: Simon Armitage An in-person discussion between Simon Armitage (UK Poet Laureate) and Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence). Simon will perform readings, as well as answer questions and sign copies of his books. Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre George Square University of Edinburgh EH8 9LK Find the venue: Gordon Aikman Book your free ticket on Eventbrite
Mar 27 2025 18.45 - 19.45 A Writer in Residence Event: Simon Armitage An in-person discussion between Simon Armitage (UK Poet Laureate) and Michael Pedersen (Writer in Residence). Simon will perform readings, as well as answer questions and sign copies of his books.
