A Body of Words offers critical and creative perspectives on body image from academics and poets. The events feature poetry in performance, audience discussions and creative writing prompts and aim to start a dialogue around issues from eating disorders to self-portraits.

All events take place at the Anthony Burgess Foundation (3 Cambridge St, Manchester, M1 5BY) from 7pm. 3 Cambridge St, Manchester, M1 5BY

February 13th - Desire & Eating Bodies: Dr Angelica Michelis & Malika Booker

• Dr Angelica Michelis (MMU) - Angelica’s research interests range from Gender Studies to Gothic Fiction. This presentation will look at the relationship between eating/non-eating bodies and how food, its consumption, digestion and rejection tell us stories about desire, abjection, fear and pleasure, in short – stories about our selves/ourselves.
• Malika Booker (University of Leeds) - Malika is a writer, poet, theatre-maker, multi-disciplinary artist and creative writing lecturer. Her work has been shortlisted for the Forward Prize. In this reading, she will explore bodies in desire, grief and celebration.
• Featuring special guest Kelsie Silverstone who will be sharing her poems. Kelsie is a student at Manchester Met raising money for Eating Disorder support charity Beat with a sponsored head shave.

Start time: 19:00
Venue: Burgess Foundation, Cambridge Street, Manchester M1 5BY