SYNOPSIS

In this powerful debut poetry collection, Shamshad Khan struts with attitude from the poetic to the polemic; sidestepping from the satirical towards the spiritual. She has a keen awareness of rhythm and the spoken word. With a wickedly simple use of language she explores themes of power, loss, identity and love.

Other Publications:

Shamshad’s first poem was published with Commonword’s Crocus print. Her poetry appears in a number of anthologies and magazines including: The Fire People, Canongate, reprint 2022; Magma, 2022; BitterSweet;

He poem “Pot” is included on the English Literature GCSE syllabus, 2022, AQA publications.

Shamshad’s writing has been described as “eye opening” by Patrick Barkham, editor of “Wild Isles”, an anthology of the best of British and Irish nature writing, published by Head of Zeus 2021. Her short stories have been published by Virago and Comma Press.

PRAISE FOR MEGALOMANIAC

Megalomaniac was studied on the Lancaster University English Literature Course,

“When I first saw Shamshad Khan read her poetry I was so moved that I haven’t stopped moving yet. I prayed to the god of poetry that her work would be put into print. Deliverance is sweet.”

– Benjamin Zephaniah

“I’ve been waiting years for Shamshad to publish a sole collection. Here it is at last, a flag in the mountain side of her journey. Read it and savour the view. It is vivid, vivacious and veracious.”

– Lemn Sissay

Further Recommendations for Shamshad Khan in performance

‘Amazing.’ —Ra Page

‘… there is no convenient category in which to place Shamshad Khan. Her poetry is delicately worded yet strong in its messages. She presents her work with such physicality that to watch her truly engages the senses.’ —Carmen Walter

“Megalomaniac is a beautifully written and performed piece of work. Shamshad Khan intelligently and humorously plays with ideas of fame and identity”

– Geraldine Collinge, Apples and Snakes“

“I was blown away by the quality…”

– Aftab Hussain, Peshkar theatre

‘Shamshad is a committed, convincing and passionate performer and brings the skills of an experienced artist to bear on every element of her shows. I look forward to all her projects as I know that each one marks a growth of ambition and a widening of scope.’ —Chris Gribble