A Wild and Precious Life is an Arts Council-funded anthology of poetry and prose about addiction, physical and mental illness, and its aftermath. Edited by authors and mentors, Lily Dunn and Zoe Gilbert, it is a literary celebration of the power of recovery, both redemptive, but also raw, playful and wild. At this special London event, four writers will read from their work, before a panel discussion about the power of writing in recovery. An inspiring and illuminating evening about the literary arts, health, and moving forward in life.

The four readers are:

Michele Kirsch, whose memoir CLEAN: A Story of Addiction, Recovery and the Removal of Stubborn Stains was published by Short Books in March 2019, to critical acclaim, making Book of The Week in The Mail, and Book of The Month in Psychologies.

John Pearson, a keen amateur writer and poet, whose piece for the anthology 'Last Orders' was written during the early stages of alcohol recovery to help him express his relationship with alcohol and subsequent sobriety.

Sadie Nott, who won a Creative Future Literary Award. The opening of her coming-of-age novel was selected to feature in the TLC Free Reads anthology and was shortlisted in the York Festival of Writing, DHA Open Day and Retreat West competitions.

Susannah Vernon-Hunt, who started taking heroin in her early twenties, remained addicted to drugs of various kinds for 30 years, before being taken by full blown alcoholism. With a brilliant counsellor, and Lily Dunn's exciting 'creative writing' course, she moved out of shame and isolation and began her journey back into Life. She continues to keep up with the writing group at St Mungo's.

Drinks and food will be available. Card payments are preferred (only card in the café). We recommend arriving 30-40 minutes early to order any hot food before the readings start at 6:30pm. Food can be brought in to the space.

Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-wild-and-precious-evening-tickets-73101662039