Salena Godden

Salena Godden is an English writer, poet, activist, and broadcaster born in Hastings and based in London. She possesses Jamaican-Irish heritage and has established a significant presence in the literary and performance arts scene. Godden's published works span poetry collections, a childhood memoir, and a recent novel, with her writing often characterized by its strong voice and thematic exploration of courage, resistance, and identity.

Her career, now in its third decade, includes multiple poetry volumes such as 'Under The Pier' and 'Fishing in the Aftermath', as well as the literary memoir 'Springfield Road'. Her novel 'Mrs Death Misses Death' was published in 2021 and longlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize. Godden has also contributed essays to notable anthologies like 'The Good Immigrant' and has released several spoken-word albums. Her work has been widely anthologised and featured in various BBC productions, highlighting her versatility across different media.

Salena Godden has built a prolific career as a poet, author, and performer, with her work often resonating with themes of resilience and personal narrative. Her published books include poetry collections like 'Under The Pier' and 'Fishing in the Aftermath: Poems 1994–2014', alongside her literary memoir 'Springfield Road'. A notable recent work is 'Pessimism Is For Lightweights – 13 pieces of Courage and Resistance', published in 2018. Godden's writing is recognized for its powerful and often direct style, exemplified by titles such as 'My Tits Are More Feminist Than Your Tits'. She has also engaged with artistic installations, with her piece 'RED' featured in a women-led exhibition. Her creative output extends to essays published in significant anthologies, including 'Shade' in 'The Good Immigrant'.

Beyond her literary achievements, Salena Godden has a notable presence in the music and broadcasting spheres. She has released four studio albums, including her debut spoken-word album 'LIVEwire', which was shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award. Her work has been featured on various BBC platforms, including radio dramas, documentaries, and spoken word programs like 'We Belong Here'. Godden has also contributed narration to films, such as the documentary 'Cahier Africain'. Her engagement with broadcast media demonstrates a broad reach, extending her artistic voice to diverse audiences through television and radio.

Godden's debut novel, 'Mrs Death Misses Death', published in January 2021 by Canongate Books, has been described as a genre-defying work and was longlisted for the 2021 Gordon Burn Prize. A BBC Radio 4 documentary chronicled the creation of this novel. Canongate Books has secured contracts for three future publications from Godden: another novel, a memoir, and a poetry collection, indicating a sustained commitment to her literary output. She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2020, acknowledging her significant contributions to literature.