Introducing... Scarlett Sabet
Welcome to ‘Introducing…’ - our new online interview series to introduce you to some of the amazing authors we’re working with and the brilliant books they have coming up! For our first instalment, we speak to poet Scarlett Sabet about her work, writing in isolation, and what she has coming up next.
We are also very excited to announce that this Sunday afternoon (26 April), Scarlett will be launching a new video series of weekly poetry readings through her Instagram account (@ScarlettzSabet). Full details can be found at the end of the page.
All photography by Scarlet Page.
Introducing… Scarlett Sabet
Welcome! To start with, could you tell us a little bit about yourself…
Well, I grew up in Surrey, I'm French, Scottish and Persian, and my heritage has definitely made an impact on some of the topics I've written about, such as war and grief. I now live in London. I started my own publishing company, and have self-published four collections of poetry. I paid for the printing by waitressing.
2019 saw the publication of your book Camille, as well as the album Catalyst. In your own words, could you give us an overview of both?
Yes, I released an anthology of love poems Camille which is one of my middle names given to me by my mother who is French, so it’s got an emotional connection. I felt it made sense to curate my love poems together in one book. I launched the collection at Shakespeare and Co, in Paris.
I continuously try to articulate being in love, I want to paint the most vivid, visceral portrait or a specific memory, a snapshot, poems like “Feathers”, “Ocean”, or Possession – they’re raw and honest, they seem to resonate with people which I love. The book also has poems from darker, more challenging periods of my life, and it also has poems inspired by situations I’ve observed, poems like “Off”, “Love” and “Scorpio” will make you glad that you are not in a relationship. So it's a book to fall in love to and also, a book that will make you glad you are single and not compromising.
In October I released a spoken word album called Catalyst, which was produced by my partner Jimmy Page. He had the idea to make a sonic landscape out of my poems, but without using music. It is radical and definitely subverts people’s expectations. We recorded and produced it at home. It was an incredible experience working together, it felt like we were meeting again but with our intense shared history. Seeing Jimmy in the role of producer in the studio was magical. The spoken word album was Jimmy's idea, I didn't know how it would turn out but I trusted him implicitly. We kept it a secret the whole time we were working on it - only five people had heard it on the day we were released it. We announced the album and released it on the same day, so that the work could speak for itself.
What inspires you to write, and what are you finding inspiring at the moment?
I'm compelled to write, it's not really a choice, it's just something I've been led to. I've been inspired, or rather compelled to write about our ever-changing political landscape, and also the personal - falling in love, passion and desire, and even the mundane, our daily lives continue.
How did you find the writing process? Do you work to a set schedule?
Writing comes easily to me, poems like "Fifth Circle of Hell" and "Rocking Underground" were written in one sitting, it was kind of like channelling. Both were important land marks creatively, so Jimmy and I both wanted them on the album. But I do also think discipline is very important, so although those wonderful moments of inspiration/channelling are great, sometimes you have to sit and work at it. So I write everyday.
The pandemic has had a profound impact on people around the world. How has it been for you personally?
Well, it's renewed my joy for the simple things in life, like nature, and it highlights how important it is to have gratitude for what we do have. At a time like this if you and your loved ones are healthy and safe then you are one of the lucky ones.
How has it impacted your work as a writer?
Well really it is important to write and comment at a time like this, and as I have the freedom to write, I should.
And finally, can you tell us what you’ve got on your own reading list?
I read Jeanette Winterson's Fran Kiss Stein which was thought-provoking. I'm currently finishing Path to Power, the first volume of Robert Caro's biography of Lyndon Johnson, it's meticulously researched and fascinating. I'd really like to read The King of Warsaw by Szczepan Twardoch next.
For more information on Scarlett Sabet visit www.scarlettsabet.com, or follow her on Twitter @ScarlettSabet.
For any media requests please contact AnnabelR@fmcm.co.uk or RobertG@fmcm.co.uk.
Acclaimed poet and spoken word artist Scarlett Sabet to give Sunday afternoon poetry readings during lock down
As the UK lock down continues, poet and performer Scarlett Sabet has announced that she will be giving weekly poetry readings from her recent spoken word album, Catalyst and from poets who have inspired her work including Allen Ginsberg, Emily Dickinson, Dante Rosetti and W.B. Yeats. Starting this Sunday, 26th April, at 4pm, with a reading of her poem ‘Rocking Underground’, the readings will be filmed and featured on her Instagram and Twitter every Sunday over the coming .
Hailed by Hunger Magazine as “one of the brightest new stars on the international poetry scene”, Scarlett Sabet has built a reputation for her beautiful prose and emotive poetry readings. Inspired by the Beat poets, Emily Dickinson and Sylvia Plath, Sabet’s sparse, acutely structured verses explore themes such as the struggles of women and friendships, loss of childhood, the politics of isolation and despair and the emotional aspects of love and sex.
Her spoken word album, Catalyst, is a radical sonic re-interpretation of work drawn from her previous four collections, produced in collaboration with legendary musician Jimmy Page.
Scarlett Sabet says, “Well really it is important to write and comment at a time like this, and as I have the freedom to write, I should.”
Scarlett Sabet is a poet and performer from London. The author of four poetry collections, Scarlett has performed internationally, and has been featured in the likes of BBC, GQ, and Dazed. Her most recent release is the spoken word album Catalyst.
“What strikes me about Scarlett’s work is that it’s very cutting edge and it’s making poetry interesting again. I love both the intensity and the spiritual aspect she conveys”
— Van Morrison
To follow Sunday afternoon poetry readings by Scarlett Sabet, follow Scarlett on Instagram @ScarlettzSabet.
