Shamshad was a leading member of Commonword’s Identity writers’ group in the late Eighties. Commonword first published her poetry in its anthologies. She first performed alongside Lemn Sissay and Cheryl Martin in Manchester. She has gone on to become a poet of national repute, with a poetry collection Megalomaniac published by Salt and associated shows that have toured nationally and featured at international festivals. Her shows have included collaborations with musicians, directors and beatboxers. She runs Hard Rain, a monthly creative writing workshop and poetry night in Levenshulme, Manchester.
“I can’t imagine having developed as a writer without the support and inspiration provided by Commonword. It is a visionary organisation that continues to create opportunities and raise aspirations for writers from all sorts of backgrounds.”
Featured in:
Identity Magazine Issue 1Nailing Colours Poems of RebellionHealing Strategies for Women at WarPeace Poems (Seventy five poems by fifty three poets)Hair A Journey Into The Afro and Asian Experience Poems Stories Styling TipsThe Suitcase Book Of Love PoemsWhen Saira Met Sarah Poetry Collection by North West Muslim and Jewish WomenMegalomananiac by Shamshad Khan