Paul Robert Mullen’s It’s All Come Down to This Online Launch and Book Party: A Night of Raw, Unfiltered Poetry (December 2nd)

If you’re sick of poetry that hides behind obscure images or plays coy, if you want the kind of writing that’s been pulled back from the gatekeepers and handed back to the people it belongs to—this event is for you.

On December 2nd, we’re celebrating the release of Paul Robert Mullen’s it’s all come down to this: a retrospective (1999–2024). This is a collection that refuses to compromise. It’s poetry that’s been lived, bled for, and put on the page without apology. Paul’s work has always been about cutting through the noise and giving us something real. His voice doesn’t bow to trends or try to fit in; it simply is. And that’s exactly why it resonates.

Why This Matters

For over two decades, Paul has been writing poetry that matters. From his earliest work to brand-new pieces, this collection is a testament to the power of words that don’t flinch. Paul doesn’t just stay in one lane—his voice has range. He can be reflective, searing, tender, or raw. But no matter what, his work is unmistakably authentic.

This isn’t poetry for insiders or the chosen few. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt something deeply and struggled to put it into words. If you’ve ever wanted to see what happens when a poet refuses to let their work be boxed in, this is your chance.

The Lineup

The night starts with Paul himself, reading from his collection and taking your questions. It’s not every day you get to hear directly from a poet whose work has spanned decades and remained unwaveringly true to itself.

Joining him is a lineup of poets who bring that same energy:

• Robert Frede Kenter: A poet-artist who tears down boundaries between forms and rebuilds them in his own way.
• Pratibha Castle: Proof that it’s never too late to start writing, and when you do it right, it shows.
• David Hanlon: A poet who writes like he’s saving his own life—and maybe yours too.
• Elisabeth Horan: Fierce, unfiltered, and always ready to speak for those who feel unheard.
• Robert Sheppard: A master of innovative poetry, whose work challenges and inspires in equal measure.
• Marcelle Newbold: A poet whose words carry the weight of place, history, and the domestic in sharp focus.
• Damien Donnelly: His work hums with identity, sexuality, and the big questions about belonging.
• Katie Jenkins: Fresh, fearless, and staking her claim on the poetry landscape.
• Lauren Parker: A writer whose work is as bold as it is necessary, unafraid to call out the world as she sees it.
• Karen Pierce Gonzalez: Myth and memory meet in her poetry, creating something that feels as old as time and as fresh as tomorrow.

I’ll be hosting the night and reading some of my own stuff, but my main job will be making sure this incredible lineup gets the attention it deserves.

Who This Is For

If you’re tired of poetry feeling like an exclusive club, come to this. If you want to feel something real, if you want words that matter, if you want poetry that’s raw and ready to grab you by the throat, this is where you need to be.

This is about taking poetry back from the gatekeepers and giving it back to the people.

Get Your Ticket

Free or paid—your call—but don’t wait around. Tickets are moving fast, and this is your chance to be part of something real.

Join us on December 2nd for a night of poetry that’s unapologetically human. See you there.