English PEN presents a night of stories, stand-up and song from artists who know the revolutionary power of the book first hand from their work with inmates in prisons.

Join writers Alex Wheatle, Jake Arnott and stand-up poet Kate Fox as they tell their stories of taking words inside. Sometimes shocking, often inspiring; they all tell the tale of how reading and writing can transform people at their darkest moments.

Hosted by poet/performer Shane Solanki with musical accompaniment from Arthur Lea. “Reading is a revolutionary act” Danny Cash- HMP Gartree, English PEN prison pamphlet 2012

Alex Wheatle is an award winning black British novelist was sentenced to a term in prison after the Brixton riots. His novels include Brixton Rock, East of Acre Lane and his latest book Brenton Brown is published by Arcadia. He has recently toured his one man play Uprising across the UK.

Jake Arnott is a bestselling novelist of The Devil’s Paintbrush and The Long Firm and edited PEN’s prison pamphlet in 2012. His latest book The House of Rumour is published by Sceptre.

Kate Fox is a Northern stand up poet who has been described as being like ‘Pam Ayres on drugs’. She’s not on drugs though. She’s a regular on Radio 4’s Saturday Live and has appeared on The Verb on Radio 3, Radio2's Grimm Up North, BBC2’s Daily Politics show and many more. Her first full poetry collection Fox Populi is out now with Smokestack books.

Hosted by Rich Mix artist in residence Shane Solanki

With music from Arthur Lea