Marcus Reeves asked me to write the introduction to his collection of writing, Sighs Ten, which is to be launched at First Out in Central London this week. INCITE is a night of performance poetry from a wide range of contributors.

Here’s what you need to know about Marcus and INCITE.

Sighs Ten is a new collection of poetry and prose by writer and performer Marcus Reeves. Taken from the first decade of his career, the ten poignant, pointed and playful pieces reflect on themes of love, lust, loss and loneliness.

Marcus was directly inspired to self-publish the collection after watching the recent Allen Ginsberg biopic ‘Howl’ and references the poet in the title piece ‘Sighs Ten’. He says:

‘Whilst I doubt my little book will have the same impact as Ginsberg’s seminal work, it was inspiring to see the blossoming of a new talent and how that sowed the seed for his future success. I hope that sending my work out there will one day encourage other emerging writers in the same way.’

Marcus is a regular performer at LGBTQ poetry night INCITE, which takes place on the last Wednesday of each month and will be launching Sighs Ten at their latest event on March 30th. The book will be available for £3.00 on the night and by mail order online in early April.

Alongside incarnations as an actor, stand-up comic, drag queen, singer songwriter and performance poet, Marcus Reeves is perhaps best known as the creator of Postcards from God – The Sister Wendy Musical, which has been presented at Jermyn Street Theatre in London’s West End and at Hackney Empire Studio Theatre. A concept album of the songs from the show is available online and has received airplay from Elaine Paige and Graham Norton on BBC Radio Two.

With live performances, readings and screenings of his work at venues including BAC, the Cochrane Theatre, the Kings Head, the South Bank Centre and the ICA, Marcus continues to establish a firm reputation as a versatile man of words and music.