Julia Bird & Mike Sims
For the last decade or so Julia Bird and Mike Sims have worked together on a series of playful and social events celebrating the life and writings of John Keats, the published version of which is "A Joy Forever - a Walk Out with John Keats" (Paekakariki Press, 2021).
Julia Bird is a poet and poetry programmer who works with many literature organisations, producing live touring shows through her company Jaybird Live Literature. She currently works for The Poetry Society as Learning and Participation Manager, working on local and national events as well as participation activities for adults and young people. She has published the poetry collections "Hannah and the Monk" (2008) and "Twenty-four Seven Blossom" (2013) with Salt Publishing, and the pamphlets "Now You Can Look" (2017) and is, "Thinks Pearl" (2021) with The Emma Press. She grew up in Gloucestershire and lives in London.
Mike Sims is a writer, poet and editor and is currently the Director of the T S Eliot Prize. He has collaborated on many art and poetry projects, including "Letter of advice to Amy" by Joseph Cornell (AKA The Amy Box) and "This Westward" with Roy Willingham. His most recent exhibition "Ground Works" was held at APT Gallery, London, in October 2021. He was a co-founder and editor of The Illustrated Ape magazine, winner of the Creative Review Best in Book award. He is a former editor of Printmaking Today and remains a regular contributor. He was born on the Wirral and lives in London. Julia and Mike also published the artist's book Paper Trail with Roy Willingham in 2019.
A Joy Forever: a walk out with John Keats by Julia Bird & Mike Sims - is out now from Paekakariki Press
