We’re an award-winning independent publisher of new poetry, and curator of live literature events taking place across the UK. London-born, Nottingham-based, Bad Betty was set up in 2017 by poets Amy Acre and Jake Wild Hall, with the aim of showcasing exciting and risk-taking poetry, supporting poets’ artistic development and celebrating stories less often told. Our books have won or been shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize, the Forward Prizes for Best and Best First Collection, the Jhalak Prize, the Saltires Book of the Year, the Sky Arts Poetry Award, the Michael Marks Award, the Laurel Prize, the Polari First Book Prize and the Books Are My Bag Readers’ Award. They have featured in the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Observer, Times Literary Supplement and on BBC Radio, and are regularly among the Poetry Book Society’s recommendations. Bad Betty was Highly Commended in the Nibbies 2026 Small Press of the Year category, and won the Michael Marks Publishers’ Award in 2022.We believe strongly in art’s capacity to challenge its own definition, to curve away from the norm, making space for more and varied voices. When an author joins our list, we engage creatively, ambitiously and supportively with their work: including close collaboration on editing and design, and a commitment to helping books find their readers through live and online performance. We’re grateful for the support of Arts Council England.
Little Betty
We set up imprint Little Betty in 2023 as the new home of our poetry pamphlets. Little Betty is edited by Anja Konig and Vanessa Kisuule, and publishes the winners of the annual East Midlands Pamphlet Prize.
Bad Betty Live
We run live poetry events across the UK, partnering with arts organisations including New Art Exchange, National Centre for Writing, Raise the Bar, Loud Poets, Literati Arts, LIVEwire, Derby Poetry Festival, Lyra, StAnza and many more.Our home event, Bad Betty Live Nottingham, takes place at New Art Exchange in Hyson Green, and includes poetry and music from local, national and international artists, preceded by an afternoon masterclass led by one of the performing acts.
We partner with Inspire to run Bad Ideas Club: a programme of free writing workshops at libraries in Mansfield, Hucknall and Newark.
‘The very best of contemporary poetry.’ The Book Hive, Norwich
‘One of the most exciting indie publishers in the country.’ LeftLion Magazine
‘The epitome of bold independence.’ The Big Issue
‘Consistently publishing the best new poets in the country.’ Roger Robinson
‘Their working methods enable writers to take bold creative risks while feeling supported and championed.’ Molly Naylor
‘Bad Betty nurtured my creativity and championed my work from the very start. Their work is changing the game.’ Jess Murrain
‘To my mind, Bad Betty is the most interesting press in the UK.’ Shane McCrae
