Mae Diansangu is a Black, queer poet from Aberdeen who writes to continue conversations started by people who are now long gone. These conversations are felt in the body before they are expressed on the page, making each poem a visceral response (to a question that will probably remain unanswered).

Mae has been commissioned by The National Library of Scotland, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Fringe of Colour Films. Her work has been featured on BBC Big Scottish Book Club and BBC Radio Four's Tongue and Talk. Mae writes in both English and Doric.

Roshni Gallagher is a poet based in Edinburgh. She is a Scottish Book Trust New Writer's Awardee 2022.

Her work has appeared in a variety of literary magazines including Gutter, New Writing Scotland, Best Scottish Poems 2020, and The Scotsman newspaper.

She explores themes of nature, connection, and memory.

Esraa Husain (they/she/he) is a Scotland-based freelance writer, facilitator and community curator. They are the founder and director of U Belong Glasgow, a multilingual community platform that features BPOC, LGBT+, and disabled creatives.

Esraa is currently a 3rd year PhD researcher in migrancy, political agency and postcoloniality in Black Scottish writing.

[Photo credits: SQIFF x LEAP Sports 2021]

Jj Fadaka (she/her) is a creative, radical and friend, writing towards revolution from a feminist perspective. Her work centres on love, community and collective joy.

As a political educator and oversharer she weaves lyricism and graphic design in her work to explore life through multiple lenses.

Hazel Peters, among many things, is a journalist, poet, and spoken word artist. Hazel's work takes inspiration from her Guyanese-Scottish heritage and experiences as a Black mixed-race woman born and raised in Scotland.

Her poetry is a result of the time she spends thinking, reflecting and understanding herself and her experiences.