Salena Godden
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salenagodden.bsky.social
Salena Godden
@salenagodden.bsky.social
3K followers 1.2K following 770 posts
poet & author: latest books ‘Mrs Death Misses Death' 'Pessimism is for Lightweights' 'With Love, Grief and Fury' & ‘Springfield Road’

Substack:
https://salenagodden.substack

Links:
https://buythebook.online/salena-godden
Posts Replies Media Videos
salenagodden.bsky.social
🙌🏾💛 LAST CHANCE TO ENTER RAFFLE & WIN INCREDIBLE PRIZES & SUPPORT RCK! Refugee Community Kitchen serve nutritious food without judgement to those fleeing war, poverty, persecution and climate change and living in Northern France and the UK. Please repost. Thank you! raffall.com/400775/enter...
November 27, 2025 at 2:16 PM
salenagodden.bsky.social
🙌🏾💚 This weekend I am in sunny Nottingham for a BIG gig sharing the stage with my poetry family, Henry Normal, Joelle Taylor and Lemn Sissay! What a line up! Grab ticket’s now, it’s gonna be a glorious evening, Saturday night, Nottingham Poetry Festival - nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/notti...
November 20, 2025 at 10:46 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
✨Thank you to all at STATUS FLO, beautiful gathering at Brighton Dome. I'm coming to the end of my paperback tour now. I'm reading poetry with Out-Spoken to raise funds for Jamaica Hurricane Relief on November 19th, please donate if you can! See you soon, BIGlove Xx

🎟️links: www.salenagodden.co.uk
Poster of my last events in the 'With Love, Grief and Fury' paperback tour. Picture of book and list of dates, coming up... November 19: ONLINE Fundraiser: Poets Read For Hurricane Melissa November 20: MANNINGTREE Manningtree Arts November 22: NOTTINGHAM Nottingham Poetry Festival November 26: ONLINE Climate Writing: Irish Writers Centre November 27: LONDON Words on Wax, Mason & Fifth
November 16, 2025 at 11:26 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
🇯🇲 Poets Read for Hurricane Melissa Relief Fundraiser:
November 19th. Organised by @outspokenpress.bsky.social hosted by Leone Ross with an introduction from Akala, such an amazing line up, please show solidarity, donate and share and repost! Thank you!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
salenagodden.bsky.social
🇯🇲 Poets Read for Hurricane Melissa Relief Fundraiser: November 19th, 7-9pm UK and 2-4pm EST organised by @outspokenpress.bsky.social hosted by Leone Ross with and introduction from Akala, amazing line up, please join us and please donate and please share!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poets-read...
ocean and yellow poster, text reads: POETS READ FOR HURRICANE MELISSA RELIEF FUNDRAISER WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2025 INTRODUCTION BY AKALA ROGER ROBINSON / MALIKA BOOKER / KEITH JARRETT RICHARD GEORGES / SAFIYA SINCLAIR / ISABELLE BAAFI RAYMOND ANTROBUS / ANTHONY VAHNI CAPILDEO KAREN MCCARTHY WOOLF / COURTTIA NEWLAND COURTNEY CONRAD / MUNI PILGRIM / DZIFA BENSON SHANNON SMITH-MEEKINGS / ANTHONY JOSEPH CASEY BAILEY / SALENA GODDEN KARIM KAMAR ON PIANO / HOSTED BY LEONE ROSS Raising funds to support the Jamaican Official Disaster Relief & Recovery Fund and Food for the Poor Jamaica's Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund. All donations will be split equally between these funds, and any additional organisations added. OUT SPOKEN PRESS ONLINE / DONATION TICKETS 7-9PM UK / 2-4PM EST melissafundraiser.eventbrite.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
salenagodden.bsky.social
TONIGHT Anoushka Shankar & Friends! Winter Fundraiser for Choose Love at The Union Chapel, Anita Rani, Denise Gough, Elif Shafak, Inua Ellams, Nikita Gill, Nish Kumar, Nitin Sawhney, Shappi Khorsandi, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Misan Harriman, Salena Godden & more...

unionchapel.org.uk/whats-on/ano...
ANOUSHKA • SHANKAR AND FRIENDS • FOR CHOOSE LOVE TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER, 7PM UNION CHAPEL, LONDON NEWLY ANNOUNCED: ANITA RANI CLAIRE M SINGER x LONDON CONTEMPORARY ORCHESTRA - AAKASH ODEDRA • ALEV LENZ • AYANNA WITTER-JOHNSON DENISE GOUGH • ELIF SHAFAK • INUA ELLAMS MISAN HARRIMAN • MOYAH • NIKITA GILL • NERM NISH KUMAR • NITIN SAWHNEY • POPPY AJUDHA SHAPPI KHORSANDI • SALENA GODDEN WINTER FUNDRAISER SUPPORTING REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE GLOBALLY CHOOSE LOVE Choose Love CIO is a registered charity in England and Wales (1177927) 100% of profits from ticket sales will be donated to Choose Love
November 4, 2025 at 7:54 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Here’s a link for donations too! Thank you so much for all shares and reposts! More soon!

BIGlove 🇯🇲❤️
DONATION DRIVE FOR JAMAICA Naala's House CIC and Black Music Movement are teaming up to collect food, clothing, household goods, essentials, toiletries across London to ship to provide Relief for Jamaica • Clothing & Food • Household Items • Toiletries & Medical Products Sign Up to our List via @naalashousecic @blackmusicmovement
November 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Not enough posts for Jamaica on Bluesky: Here’s some information from the Black Music Movement. An open call for ways you can help and show up. This time last week, the Category 5 hurricane Melissa did her worse, I’ll keep sharing what I can find, let’s unite, Jamaica needs help 🇯🇲❤️
An Open Call for Organising Relief for Jamaica Calling all: • Artists • Charities • CIC's • Organisations • Businesses • Individuals Join Black Music Movement in creating a people led network to: • Raise Money • Collect Essential Donations • Ship them directly to Jamaica • Support Volunteers to help rebuild • Build Long term support Networks THE AIM Volunteers Black Music Movement will have a volunteer in Jamaica to co-ordinate relief directly to local communities on the ground We are asking for volunteers in the UK to help set up: • fundraising events • do donation drives • deliver essentials for shipping • co-ordinate fundraising • help with admin We will release a guide to volunteering on the ground in Jamaica And build a direct support network between the UK and Jamaica to foster direct relief THE AIM - Fundraisers Rebuilding will be a longterm effort that needs to continue when the media attention fades Black Music Movement believes in the Power of Arts and organisations to keep the awareness of important issues at the forefront of peoples minds We are calling for artists, organisations and businesses to find a small way to get people involved in either donation drives, direct community donations or to find ways to donate themselves with special products, concerts or events The biggest impact we can have is by keeping momentum going through a longer period of time to sustain the support needed as rebuilding continues over the coming months
November 3, 2025 at 10:33 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
🎤✨ TONIGHT! Looking forward to a gorgeous evening in Ipswich, I'm headlining SOAPBOX at The New Wolsey Theatre, I think there are a handful of tickets left up for grabs so if you live in the area and fancy some live and lively poetry, join us! www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/events/soapb...
Poster for the event, purple and pink border Salena Godden's portrait with purple tint - quote 'all I know is this my love - we must change the way we only hug strangers in our nightmares" SAT 1ST NOV 7.30 - SALENA GODDEN. JACKIE MONTAGUE. LU, TRAH KEJO. AMY WRAGG, a night of funny, fearless and joyful spoken word, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
November 1, 2025 at 11:26 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
a poem about halloween
masks worn all year round
a poem about halloween masks worn all year round this grotesque horror show the monsters on parade greedy ghouls grimacing feasting on fetid fear I can’t sleep in this bonfire I can’t cheer for fireworks that sound like bombs thoughts and prayers buried under rubble this horror movie made by the architects of genocide the profiteers of ecocide the silent zombie actors in fancy dress costumes all dead behind the eyes serial killer billionaires corporate climate criminals hear the hurricane screaming devils in the white house vampires in the palace predators in parliament demons in broad daylight selling arms and flags with blood on their hands this is all about halloween masks worn all year round
October 30, 2025 at 6:42 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Here’s another link and more information and resources for those of you that see this and can help and share please do!

It’s all hands on deck. Here is how you can help the people of Jamaica. Hurricane Melissa is strongest ever storm to hit the Caribbean. 🇯🇲❤️

🔗 bio.site/walkgoodjamaica
ALL HANDS ON DECK Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica - it is set to be one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Caribbean, classified earlier as a Category 5 hurricane. It has and will continue to bring catastrophic rain, flooding and landslides to entire Jamaican communities, leading to power and communication disruption, life endangerment, and severe infrastructure damage. Here's what you need to know and some action items you can take. We all have a part to play. RESOURCES TO SHARE National Hurricane Center nhc.noaa.gov Bulletin Alerts from ODPEM Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management - odpem.org.jm Help amplify safety information and storm updates, not storm footage. Avoid sharing misinformation, such as unverified footage or rumors. Misinformation delays on the ground rescue work. WHERE TO DONATE WalkGood Jamaica Relief Fund Support Jamaica American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) Direct Relief Global Empowerment Mission International Medical Corps Food For The Poor Jamaica Mercy Corps Donate links at bio.site/walkgoodjamaica @walkgoodla will update with additional links to on the ground organizations WALKGOODLA THIS IS A CLIMATE JUSTICE ISSUE Hurricane Melissa rapidly intensified to a category 4 and 5 storm in less than 24 hours, fueled directly by warming ocean temperatures in the Caribbean. Island nations like Jamaica face disproportionate impact due to limited infrastructure and access to long-term recovery programs and health care. The results of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica will show how climate change deepens inequity and why we need to work to change that. WALKGOODLA
October 29, 2025 at 9:10 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
🇯🇲 Jamaica! 🙌🏾💚

Please donate here if you can!

www.gofundme.com/f/CaribbeanH...
October 29, 2025 at 8:52 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Tomorrow I'm doing an online event: What We Read Next Zoom Podcast with the gorgeous Sarah Gwonyoma. For all tickets and info head either to my blog Waiting For Godden www.salenagodden.co.uk or buythebook.online/salena-godden - here's a photo from last weeks RTB show in Bristol! Thank you Xx
black and white photo of Salena having a moment on stage
October 28, 2025 at 3:07 PM
salenagodden.bsky.social
🇯🇲💚
October 28, 2025 at 8:13 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Honoured to join this epic line up on November 4th, Anoushka Shankar and friends, raising the roof for CHOOSE LOVE - Book your tickets today! Thank you! BIGlove! #chooselove

🎟️ www.livenation.co.uk/event/anoush...
white poster and orange lettering: ANOUSHKA SHANKAR AND FRIENDS FOR CHOOSE LOVE TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER, 7PM UNION CHAPEL, LONDON AAKASH ODEDRA DENISE GOUGH ELIF SHAFAK INUA ELLAMS MOYAH NIKITA GILL NISH KUMAR NITIN SAWHNEY POPPY AJUDHA SHAPPI KHORSANDI PLUS NEWLY ANNOUNCED: ALEV LENZ AYANNA WITTER-JOHNSON LONDON CONTEMPORARY ORCHESTRA MISAN HARRIMAN NERM SALENA GODDEN WINTER FUNDRAISER SUPPORTING REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE GLOBALLY CHOOSE LOVE
October 22, 2025 at 9:14 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
🍂 Coming up:

October 21st - Online
@londonwriterssalon.bsky.social

October 23rd - Bristol
@rtbspokenword.com

October 25th - Norwich
#norwichbookfestival

October 28th - Online
#whatsarahreadnext

October 30th - Online
@thelitconsultancy.bsky.social

🎟️ & dates here:
www.salenagodden.co.uk
gig poster of all dates, find more on website xx
October 20, 2025 at 1:13 PM
salenagodden.bsky.social
🕷️ Happy Publication Day!
'BOG PEOPLE - A Working Class Anthology of Folk Horror' out today and in your favourite bookshops now, published with Chatto and Windus and edited by Hollie Starling - my piece is titled I AM HAGSTONE - I love this collection! ✨
Book cover for BOG PEOPLE - dark purple cover with horned demon holding pitchfork A picture of Contents page: Introduction - Hollie Starling The Ossuary - A. K. Blakemore Perpetual Stew - Daniel Draper Carole - Emma Glass Eldritch - Mark Colbourne The Spit in Your Mouth and the Bile in Your Stomach - Mark Stafford Yellowbelly - Hollie Starling The Hanging Stones - Jenn Ashworth The Keepers - Natasha Carthew I Am Hagstone - Salena Godden It Fair Give Me the Spikes -Tom Benn Picture of book and quotes: 'A masterful collection' MAXINE PEAKE 'Feral and furious' CHARLIE COOPER 'An absolute treat' ADAMS LESLIE You really need to read this' ALAN MOORE BOG PEOPLE A WORKING-CLASS ANTHOLOGY OF FOLK HORROR "Masterful" MAXINE PEAKE 'Astonishing" ALAN MOORE EDITED by HOLLIE STARLING
October 16, 2025 at 9:22 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Lovely afternoon’s work making @roaring20sradio.substack.com today with my friends Amah-Rose @amahrose.bsky.social & Matt @mattabbottpoet.com this month our special guest was Lanre Bakare, such a great conversation, listen again via www.sohoradio.com / sohoradio.com/profile/roar...

💜🎧 thank you!
Photo of Salena and Amah Rose standing outside Soho Radio and smiling lots
October 13, 2025 at 6:17 PM
salenagodden.bsky.social
❤️💜🙌🏾 My next show is in town, ‘With Love, Grief and Fury’ Paperback Launch gig, this Thursday October 16th at the Poetry Pharmacy on Oxford Street join us from 6pm - 7pm! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/with-love-...
October 13, 2025 at 11:24 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
❤️💜✨ Here's some photos to say thank you to everyone who came to our ‘With Love, Grief and Fury’ gig at Libreria, thanks to @nikitagil for asking the big questions and for reading beautifully, thanks to everyone that shared the love. Thank you to mighty @canongate.co.uk
it was a beautiful night! Xx
Salena and Nikita in Libreria Bookshop Salena and Nikita in Libreria Bookshop Salena Godden reading from with love, grief and fury Book cover: Red paperback of with love, grief and fury
October 13, 2025 at 11:17 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Very excited to see my book 'With Love, Grief and Fury' in this glorious book stack this morning, With Love, Grief and Fury made the Poetry Shortlist. Thank you so much Books Are My Bag Readers Awards. Thank you!

#poetry #booksaremybag
The purple hard back edition of With Love, Grief and Fury, this book is shortlisted in the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards today...
October 9, 2025 at 9:55 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Publication Day! 'With Love, Grief and Fury' is published in paperback today @canongate.co.uk - Thank you to all who preordered it, we launch tonight at Libreria! I'm officially on tour now and look forward to sharing my poems with you soon xx ww.salenagodden.co.uk / buythebook.online/salena-godden
October 9, 2025 at 9:51 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Hey Bluesky fam, the ‘With Love, Grief and Fury’ paperback will be in bookshops tomorrow so if you preordered it you may find your copies landing too, a big box of books just arrived. Here’s a fuzzy shot of me getting excited in my room about it, I’ll share more book joy in the morning! 📕❤️
Photo of Salena on her own in her room holding her new book to her face and smelling it
October 8, 2025 at 6:50 PM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Also what I keep thinking about is this …

THE VERY SERIOUS FUNCTION OF RACISM...IS DISTRACTION.
IT KEEPS YOU FROM DOING YOUR WORK. IT KEEPS YOU EXPLAINING, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, YOUR REASON FOR BEING. — TONI MORRISON
Black and white portrait of Toni Morrison ‘THE VERY SERIOUS FUNCTION OF RACISM...IS DISTRACTION. IT KEEPS YOU FROM DOING YOUR WORK. IT KEEPS YOU EXPLAINING, OVER AND OVER AGAIN, YOUR REASON FOR BEING.’ — TONI MORRISON
October 4, 2025 at 11:22 AM
salenagodden.bsky.social
Looking forward to performing with @holliemcnish.bsky.social tomorrow at Henley Literary Festival!

For those of you that cannot make it, I just remembered we recorded poems and conversations on the Book Off podcast, have a listen here… podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
October 4, 2025 at 9:45 AM