Southport mum and councillor releases debut poetry collection

A Southport-based mother, Labour councillor and self-confessed ‘Northern, feminist socialist’ is riding high on the impending release of her first-ever book of poetry.

Jen Corcoran, a mother of four from Kew Ward, had her manuscript accepted for publication by Northern publishing house Bent Key Publishing in 2022, and her collection Witch / Mother / Child / Lover is now due for release on October 31^st. Since the book’s acceptance, Corcoran has also founded the hugely successful Sefton Pride, co-ordinating Summer and Autumn events and cementing her role as an important figurehead in local political events.

Focusing on her lived experiences as a parent, politician, partner and friend, Corcoran’s collection is described by established Essex-based poet and author Ellen Clayton as ‘a timely, captivating exploration of what it means to be a woman, encompassing all the complexities embedded in identity.’ Through its pieces, Corcoran writes on her experience of being involved in the MEN terrorist attacks, turning the tide in local elections, birth, motherhood and gender identity; it is both deeply personal and widely relatable, described by Manchester artist Rebecca Phythian as ‘a modern woman’s political speech and call to arms’.

Witch / Mother / Child / Lover (£10.00) has cover art designed by revered Southport artist Samantha Sanderson-Marshall and is available for pre-order now via Bent Key Publishing and Waterstones.  Tickets for the online launch event taking place on November 1^st at 8pm are available via Bent Key Publishing’s website and are priced on a pay-as-you-feel basis. All are welcome.