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FIVE WRITERS AWARDED THE HARTNETT QUEER LIT POETRY D Rhodes > Washington > USA
AWARD 2025 JOINT WINNER OF THE HARTNETT QUEER LIT POETRY AWARD
2025
D Rhodes is a queer poet from Washington State whose work has
been published in King County Poetry and Art on Buses, Tattoos on
Cedar, Deep Mapping Dumfries, Ink Sweat & Tears plus North
AC > STERLING > SCOTLAND American Review.
JOINT WINNER OF THE HARTNETT QUEER LIT POETRY AWARD Themes of the selected pieces: Anger > Isolation > Confinement >
2025 Physical Torture > Murder
‘AC’s submission came in as a result of having seen an XXXPOSURE Photograph (c) D Rhodes 2025
A3 poster within Glasgow’s Luke & Jack LGBTQIA+ store. AC is a real
find, a startling discovery. His voice is young, searching a future path on
a range of levels. The work is minimal, stark. Honest and direct. AC’s
first submission was accepted within a second of having read the first
draft. AC has been a dream to work with. We spoke by phone, then met
in Glasgow. He’s a mystery... both enigmatic and dynamic in a hushed VEN KA > TAMIL NADU > INDIA
manner. JOINT WINNER OF THE HARTNETT QUEER LIT POETRY AWARD
Themes of the selected pieces: BDSM > Sub Role > Masturbation 2025
Photograph by PP Hartnett (c) AC 2025 Each of Ven Ka’s pieces inhabit the world of a married man
considering options. Each of Ven Ka’s submissions differ in style,
challenging the culture he has come from in Tamil Nadu, whilst new to
the UK on studies, based in Manchester.
Themes of the selected pieces: On Being a Married Man > Bisexuality
回复 LIU ZIHAO > SHANDONG PROVINCE > CHINA > Infidelity
‘When the three submissions from 回复 Liu Zihao were submitted four Photograph (c) Ven Ka 2025
days before the deadline of 01 December 2024, I almost punched the
air with both surprise and joy. The title degenerate lesbian provoked
instant curiosity, with the two ultra-short pieces surprising like
fireworks,’ declares PP Hartnett. Born in 1998, Liu Zihao gained a BA
major at Beijing Film Academy for Film Studies, which includes Film alxxxx > ABERDEEN & LONDON > UK
Theory, Criticism & History. Liu Zihao identifies as a poet, fashion ‘I harbour a dark lust for the underworld of art and techno, drawing
designer, director and photographer. ‘I was delighted to see an inspiration from the pulsating depths of Berlin’s legendary clubs like
XXXPOSURE flyer on the table of the Student Service at Central Saint RSO and Tresor,’ ever half whispers. Yes, ever with a lower case e.
Martins on my first day of studies there because I have a lot of Artist and DJ, with an affinity for creating immersive experiences,
LGBTQIA+ friends and there are qualities about them that have always motivated by a vision to reshape the music and art scene, in 2024
fascinated me. I have been writing poetry in China for over ten years, ever founded a series of events — nvrwrld+ — built on principles of
but the mainstream editors of the Chinese poetry scene are not care, responsibility and innovation. ‘These gatherings emphasise
interested in my style. So before submitting to XXXPOSURE I was very artistic freedom, community and authentic connection.’ ever continues
excited to see how the western world might react to my work and I was to push boundaries in their DJing and the CSM / UAL BA Fine Art
so surprised when my three submissions were accepted within just one studies at London’s Camberwell College of Arts exploring innovative
hour of mailing by editor PP Hartnett. intersections of art and sound. Whether in the heart of Berlin,
Themes of the selected pieces: Love > Loneliness > AIDS > Regret London’s underground clubs, or their own curated events, ever strives
Photograph (c) 回复 Liu Zihao 2025 to redefine techno through creative liberation and unity.
Themes of the selected pieces: Heaven > Hell > Love > Lust >
Romance > Angels > Devils > Demons > Techno Dance Events >
Digital Technology > Chaos
Photographs / digital images / logo (c) alxxxx 2025