Emma Hammond was born in Jamaica, brought up in Essex and lived in Paris for a while. After quitting a Creative Writing degree at university, she went on to self-publish the poetry pamphlets 'softly softly catchy monkey' and 'Sleeveless errand'. Emma has read her poetry at many events and used to curate Hollow Legs, a music and poetry night. More recently, she has turned her attention to running a podcast of poetry and music called 'Mild Fantasy Violence' and writing lots. Emma lives in E17 with her daughter, Flo and a cat called Mogwai. 'tunth-sk' is her first full collection.

There is something about the imaginative control exercised by Hammond, coupled with metaphorical daring, that makes you read on. The poetry is wild and unsettling but also cool and convincingly modern. This is the poetry of lived experience, but also of lived writing. Though seemingly utterly spontaneous it is also very self-aware. As if it is the most natural thing in the world, she manages to capture the life of the mind, even as it captures the movements of the world. Surprise is the engine of a good poem and Emma Hammond never fails to provide this element. She is the real thing. - Hugo Williams