Amy Tollyfield, a published writer and performance poet, tells us all about their career BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS, IMAGE BY SIMON HOLLIDAY Shakespeare is, of course, pretty top of the list in terms of favourite writers, however you’ll be surprised to hear that I’m not actually a particularly avid reader! As mentioned in The Suicide– one of the few moments I can tell you is definitely autobiographical – I’m happiest in the bath reading a magazine! Lately I’ve been pushing myself to read a bit more, but currently I’m most of the way through a history book and slightly nodding off. I know – it’s awful. I’m just about to get to the chapter on Elizabeth the first, though, so I’m holding out. My inspiration comes from all sorts – life is very exciting and different. There’s lots to draw inspiration from if you look around you. We caught up with Amy to find out more about life as a published poet and how she first got started. As an individual I often struggle to connect with my true, raw feelings. Sometimes my feelings are so intense that they frighten me a little. I hope the reader can identify within Toy Soldiers the need to connect with their own deepest self and the cathartic release that comes with that process and that pain. Based in the UK, Amy lives in Bath, South West England, and spends her days open-micing and writing new material. Since August 2018 she has performed her poetry at Clifton Literature Festival 2019, The Barbican Theatre in Plymouth and The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market, Bristol, among other venues and events. Sounds pretty dreamy, doesn’t it?

Bold poetry which speaks to the heart and to the human condition’– Canon Michael Johnson, Acting Dean of Bristol 2019-2020 I would describe myself as an authentic performer, writer and person. I have a Master’s degree in Shakespeare Studies (Birmingham, 2014) and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Drama and Theatre Practice (Hull, 2012). I am a former registered member of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, and I identify as lesbian. Take a Look at Our Summary of November Highlights, Whether You're Looking for the Latest Releases or Gift Inspiration I do love rhyme – it’s enjoyable and it’s easy to swallow. Poetry is to be enjoyed; it shouldn’t be a task to read. Yes, we all love a challenge, and some of my poems will definitely need to be analysed to be enjoyed, but there are just as many in there that you can simply read and ingest smoothly, without having to completely decompartmentalise the whole thing! Shakespeare now is seen as – and I quote –‘high art’, but he wasn’t in his day. Shakespeare wrote for the masses and Shakespeare’s theatre was very accessible in his day. Drama and theatre is for pleasure – let my writing be. Amy Tollyfield is a published performance poet and the author of two poetry collections – Toy Soldiers and The Suicide – both published by Olympia Publishers.Thursday 25th August 2022 ( Brixton Nights‘publication day), ‘Amy Tollyfield’s debut novella Brixton Nightsserves up some much needed butch representation’; link to article: To view highlights from Amy’s poetry performances so far, please visit any of the four links below: If it felt authentic and it felt right and you put your soul into it then you have created something beautiful of which you should be proud. I plan to write at least one further poetry collection after Toy Soldiers, which I would be honoured if Olympia Publishers would publish for me again, but this will be their decision when the time comes. I would like to try my hand at a novel in due course. My writing grows as I grow and I look forward to where it will take me. You need to be very tenacious as not everyone will appreciate your work. Obviously you want to appeal to as many people as possible with your writing however you also have to be authentic. I am a very authentic writer, performer and poet. If I am not for you then no problem, but I won’t change.

Brixton Nightsis a coming-of-age novella, telling a familiar story of truth, pain and family. Sometimes our most uncomfortable relationships are the ones that teach us the most. http://www.bristol247.com/culture/books/2-amy-tollyfield-i-always-write-with-the-aim-of-creating-a-poem-which-is-beautiful-rare-and-precious Despite being a writer and therefore (supposedly) being someone ‘keen on ideas’, I’m actually a big fan of absolutes. I like things to be definite. To me, throughout my life, in both good and very, very difficult times, God has been a definite. So when God pops up in my poetry, it’s as normal to me as writing about the grass, the sky, or life and death. Any mention of God in my writing is not especially pre-planned. This being said, God of course has a stronger emotional meaning for me than the grass or the sky, and so I absolutely want to thank God and mention God in my introduction. But no, in answer to your question, I’m not sure God does impact my writing hugely. But I’ll let you be the judge! Despite the title, this collection is full of hope and humour. Why did you decide to call it The Suicide? Dystopian Fiction Books Everyone Should Read: Explore The Darker Side of Possible Worlds and Alternative FuturesTollyfield writes this elegant novella with intricate detail and grace … This perceptive and deeply human account of Chris’s emotional journey will keep readers engrossed’ – Publishers Weekly

Amy will be performing work from the collection at Waterstones, Clifton on November 9 at 7pm. For more information, visit www.waterstones.com/events/an-eveing-with-amy-tollyfield/bristol-clifton

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Bristol poet Amy Tollyfield will be performing work from her debut collection, The Suicide, on November 9 at Waterstones, Clifton When people who don’t normally read poetry buy one of my books and say, ‘I don’t normally like poetry but I love yours’, or watch one of my poetry performance videos online and say something similar. Any form of writing or performance is engagement and so for people to engage with my spoken or written work is incredible and so beautiful for me. For interviews and articles in Bristol24/7 and DIVA (online) that relate to Amy and her published works please see below Thursday 1st October 2020, ‘Amy Tollyfield: “I always write with the aim of creating a poem which is beautiful, rare and precious”‘; link to interview: In your introduction, you highlight your faith in God. Does your faith have an impact on your writing, and does your writing impact your faith in God?