Is poetry a dying form?

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist, 25/26In honour of World Poetry Day in March alongside people increasingly reaching for screens, poetry has had to compete for our attention in a fast moving world. As a poetry lover myself, I began to wonder if it still has a space in student's lives? It's a tale as old as time that many of us were traumatised by poetry at GCSE and A level and may struggle to read a poem without subconsciously analysing it. However, it's an incredible art form and should st...

‘My adoption was both nothing and everything’: In conversation with Luke Wright

In the midst of his 4 week long performance run, I interviewed Luke Wright about his early career, adoption and latest book, Later Life Letters and watched him perform at Bristol’s Wardrobe Theatre. Luke Wright is an award winning writer, poet and performer who has curated, performed and toured 15 solo shows alongside 3 plays and various poetry collections.Having recently found my dad's birth family and experiencing such joy at getting to know and connect with a new but somehow familiar group of...

The war on culture: Ukrainian literature four years on

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist, 25/26As the four year anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine looms, I have compiled a list of accessible Ukrainian books to encourage you to educate yourself and continue supporting the country's language, culture and heart. We must protect the Ukrainian language and culture at all costs in this time of dire need as Russia attempts to erase them.Being half Ukrainian myself, I have seen first hand Russia's destruction of Ukraine and its cultu...

Dog-Eat-Dog Theatre: student theatre spotlight series

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26As part of our student theatre company spotlight series I spoke to Montague Austin, the Co-Founder of Dog-Eat-Dog Theatre company about its conception and unique approach.Montague began by explaining that the company was created ‘out of necessity,’ following his idea for a supernatural thriller. He stated that this project ‘really resonated’ with him and he knew immediately that he ‘had to get it on stage one way or another.’ However, when proposing the...

New year, new reading goal: Fable VS Goodreads

Now we have entered the new year, many of us will have made the new years resolution to read more, specifically for pleasure, which means setting a new reading goal to keep us on track. Goodreads has been the cult favourite reading log app but with a new app, Fable, on the block, which app is better? I have researched online as well as talking to friends to find the consensus.By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26I'll begin with the cult classic. Goodreads is by far the largest and most fam...

Literature lover's gift guide

We all know a book lover or two we need to get presents for this time of year. Instead of just gifting the classic book, why not buy something a little more unique that the literature lover in your life is sure to love and help prevent their bookshelf from overflowing! By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26As a book lover myself, I adore receiving books as presents however I often end up with a huge pile to add to my never ending to be read pile. As much as I love being gifted books, there...

Clifton Literature Festival

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26In it's sixth year of running and with over 60 volunteers this year alone it is safe to say that Clifton's Literature Festival is thriving. I attended three events this year: Childless by choice, Trig Point poetry and Celebrating Bristol's distinguished writers. Each one carefully dotted around the particularly lively Clifton village. Childless by choice-Helen Taylor-The Clifton ClubPlaced in the beautifully grand Clifton Club, I walked up the stairs to...

Deep Cut Theatre: Student theatre spotlight series

By Alex Boersma, Third Year, Literature ColumnistI spoke to Finlay Cooper, Creative Director of Deep Cut Theatre, a new student theatre company in Bristol about how and why they started their company and how it is different to other student theatre companies in Bristol.I have known Finlay for a couple of years and his love of theatre and music has remained consistent, so his new venture creating a musical theatre company makes him the perfect man for the job. As well as being a ‘massive musical...

What's on? Arts edition

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist and Amelia McCabe, Deputy Arts Editor 25/26Bristol is always filled with upcoming arts events so we thought we would highlight some of the most exciting upcoming events that you can attend. These range from free to paid events spanning exhibitions to book festivals. Make sure to check out epitome in the print edition for some more events in the city!Indie author book fair-Saturday 8th November 11am-4pm , Sparks Bristol in city centre, FREE This accessible bo...

In conversation with Dr Lily Dunn: Memoir as transformation

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26Prior to Gloucester Road bookshop's event celebrating her new book: Into Being: The radical craft of memoir and its power to transform, I interviewed author, journalist and teacher Dr Lily Dunn. The evening's conversation alongside fellow memoirist Marianne Brooker's questions followed Dunn's journalistic past, affinity with memoir and its power to heal and transform alongside her advice to budding writers.Dr Lily Dunn is a writer, editor and teacher at...

Bristol's ghost stories: from their origins to tales from the city

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26We have all watched at least one movie featuring teenagers and children huddled together by torch light telling ghost stories to scare each other. Some of us may even have recreated this with our own friends and tried to out scare each other. Despite not having so much of the childlike imagination we once had, ghost stories remain fascinating and perfect to share this time of year. But how did this tradition begin and what ghost stories does Bristol hol...

Lucy Rose on debut novel 'The Lamb', in conversation with Bristol lecturer Joan Passey

Lucy Rose’s debut novel The Lamb is filled with cannibalism, queerness and vivid storytelling. What’s not to love? And what better place to gather and discuss than the dimly lit cavernous interior of the Loco Klub? The literature columnists attended Max Minerva's event and joined Bristol alumni Lucy Rose, Cumbrian born award winning author, director and filmmaker, and lecturer Joan Passey as they discussed Rose’s debut novel, The Lamb, published earlier this year. The coming of age novel explore...

Fresh reads for freshers: A freshers' guide to Bristol's book clubs

By Alex Boersma, Literature columnist 25/26For bookworm freshers or just those who want to broaden their bookish horizons, here's a little guide to book clubs around Bristol. There are a couple of student-run society book clubs, but also some external book clubs if you want to engage with the wider community or just keep an eye out for books you'd like to tick off that never-ending to be read list!Student-led book clubsComparative literatures and cultures society book club:The society’s presiden...

Trade pre-reading for these autumnal classics

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26While some find the transition from summer to winter grim, I often find so much beauty during the autumnal months. From falling leaves to cosying up with a good book, ideally in a book nook by a crackling fire. If only student accommodation had armchairs and fireplaces! Here are my recommendations for a cosy autumn read to take a break from studying and revert to reading for pleasure!Although I'm sure you've heard of it, you may not have got round to re...

In conversation with Cecelia Koç: President of Comparative Literatures and Cultures society

By Alex Boersma, Literature Columnist 25/26Alex Boersma talks to Cecelia Koç, third year student and president of the comparative literatures and cultures society, about her experience studying and engaging with comparative literatures and cultures at the University of Bristol.I first met Cece through a mutual friend while hanging out at their shared flat, then went on to watch her direction of the University of Bristol's Opera society of Don Giovanni: I was left in awe at her many interests an...

Watch My Short Film

I worked within a group to create a short film based on a cover of The New Yorker magazine, contributing to the filming, directing, script writing and coming up with the title.

Some articles I have edited and commissioned

Black History Month Reads

By Honey Ryder, Fourth year, EnglishSpecifically for the members of my Black British Literature seminars who didn't attend, didn't complete the readings, and left me to do all the talking, I have compiled a Black History Month reading list. This selection, categorised thematically, only scratches the surface of the incredible black writing out there. I hope that it might serve as a springboard into the rich world of Black British and Anglo-African literature. The Lonely Londoners by Sam SelvonMy...

From Suppression to Reclamation: The History of LGBTQ+ Representation in Literature

By Francesca O’Connor, Second Year, English and History The history of queer representation in literature has evolved and diversified greatly over the last 250 years. This article will hone in on some of the most important texts within modern anglophone literature and consider the pivotal moments which shaped the LGBTQ+ literature of today. This LGBTQ+ History Month, let us explore the evolution and diversity of queer representation in literature.The roots of LGBTQ+ representation in modern lite...

bookhaus: What’s the future of Bristol’s beloved independent bookshop?

By Ruby Wright, Literature Column Editor Tucked into Wapping Wharf, bookhaus has been curating and selling radical and internationally focused books since August 2021. In the wake of the recent retirement announcement from owners Kevin and Jayne Ramage, Darran McLaughlin, who has been managing this cosmopolitan bookshop since before it even opened, has launched a crowdfunded campaign, hoping to raise the funds needed to continue his work.Since falling into his career through his part-time univer...

Do classic novels really stand the test of time?

By Emma Coleman, Film & TV SubeditorDo ‘classic’ novels truly stand the test of time or have they become performative?As a student of English Literature from secondary school to university, I have come across a multitude of classic novels both in and out of the classroom. Some have been life changing, some were simply a good read and some I thought ‘wow, this was really what all the fuss was about?’. Now, in 2026, I ask the question, do these books labelled as ‘classic’ still really matter today...

Spike Island's print festival:In conversation with Sanni Pyhänniska

By Erin Disney, Second year Politics and French Spike Print Studios, situated in the iconic Spike island, houses several printmaking facilities, permanent artists and holds regular printmaking classes. In July, for its fiftieth anniversary, Spike Print are holding one of their biggest exhibitions yet with a weekend long printmaking showcase displaying the art of Bristol locals and international artists. With an estimated fifty artists coming to display their work, the weekend is expected to be a...

Not all comics wear capes: why comics are worth reading

By Lauren Matthews, fourth year Msci Physics and PhilosophyWhat do you think of when someone mentions comic books? Goofy heroes in spandex and underwear? Children’s cartoons? Arguments over the exact shape of Batman’s cape? The world of comic books is often overlooked as too childish, nerdy or just inaccessible. In reality, this medium is just as capable of complex and diverse storytelling as any other.As a fourth year university student, so much of my energy is taken up by lectures and coursewo...

Magical women in Irish folklore

In celebration of International Women’s Day and St Patrick’s Day, it is an apt moment to revisit the powerful women who shape the landscape of Irish folklore and mythology. From formidable goddesses to legendary queens and Otherworldly figures, these stories reveal how female characters have long stood at the heart of Ireland’s mythic tradition.The Morrígan‘The Morrígan’ is a formidable shape-shifting goddess associated with war, fate, and fertility in Irish myth. Often depicted as transforming...

Reading is so in: celebrity book clubs take over the world

By Megan Mclean, Fourth Year EnglishIn recent years, books have been trending. Celebrities have been pictured walking with books almost like they're a designer bag, promoting their interest in literature and casting themselves as intellectuals instead of indulging the bimbo stereotypes pushed onto a lot of women in creative industries. Some celebs with genuine interest in books have started their own book clubs to share their passion with their followers: so which one is the best? This is entire...