Wild Life

Wild Life by James McDermott explores the nature of queerness, the queerness of nature, and the queerness of 'natural' masculinity. In bold poems that root themselves firmly in the coastal landscapes of North Norfolk, a vivid and radical dialogue between nature, sexuality and self-discovery emerges. McDermott brings a lyrical physicality to poetry which focuses on the body, desire, shame, and tenderness, creation and re-creation, and where there is 'everything always opening / everything always coming out'. These poems skilfully graft and touch, draw parallels between moments of transformation in the many kinds of ecosystems we exist in - whether outside and between woodland, shoreline and skyline, where the wildlife will 'see me as just another animal', or in human interactions in schools, gyms, and pubs where ideas of manhood, self, and society's expectations collide. Like the coastal spaces where McDermott finds an innate connection, Wild Life identifies that which is fluid and constantly changing - and that nature itself isn't afraid of being colourful, excessive, too much.

James McDermott's poetry collections include Wild Life (Nine Arches Press; shortlisted for an East Anglian Book Award 2023), 'Erased' (Polari Press) and Manatomy (Burning Eye; longlisted for Polari's First Book Prize 2021). Plays published by Samuel French include 'Jab' (Finborough Theatre; nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award for Best New Play 2024), 'Time and Tide' (Park Theatre/Tour; nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award for Best New Play 2020) and 'Rubber Ring' (Pleasance Islington/Tour). James is one of the writers on 'EastEnders' and has written multiple episodes. He is an Arvon writing tutor and lectures in creative writing at The University Of East Anglia.