Hollie McNish
Stroud Book Festival Guest Poet 2026
''like Pam Ayres on acid'' - Lemn Sissay
''One of the best poets we have'' - Matt Haig
Stroud Book Festival is thrilled to present an hour-long show from widely acclaimed and hugely popular poet, Hollie McNish. The author of six collections, Hollie was the first poet to record at Abbey Road Studios and won the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry for her poetic parenting memoir - ''Nobody Told Me''.
Expect strong language, adult content and much worldly wisdom, as Hollie shares poems from her latest acclaimed collection ''Virgin''.
Whether considering if Mary was a fan of her own virginal nickname, to Hollie's annual excitement at ice cream vans, and her memory of eating mashed potato with her family after apparently 'losing' her own virginity, Hollie examines the tracks this concept makes throughout so many of our lives in her own inimitable way.
At times hilarious, at times harrowing, but always hopeful, expect a poetic love letter to hold up against the more nefarious effects of purity culture; and a night packed with stacks of mashed potato, hand holds and early morning light. A night not to miss!
Adult content warning: Ages 14+