Mentoring is one of the most important things that I do, for me. It allows me to reflect on my own approaches to writing living as an entire mode in the act of being responsible to another person who is taking or beginning that journey. A number of years ago I began working with Bie Yining, remotely, between my base in the UK and hers in China. It has turned out she is one of the most gifted young poets I’ve had the pleasure to encounter and this summer she is able to attend my festival and launch her debut publication, from the brilliant Sampson Low Ltd, edited by Alban Low, who has helped me and so many others too. It is called Canton Mute and is available here https://sampsonlow.co/2026/06/05/canton-mute-bie-yining/ It is truly unique, of genuine originality.