‘In Scotland she is regarded as a leading poet of her generation.’ – Eleanor Livingstone, former Director of StAnza (Scotland’s International Poetry Festival)

‘Carly is hands-down one of the best spoken word artists in Scotland. We invited her to perform at our launch in 2014 and have booked her consistently since. Our audiences love her highly entertaining, relatable, and often humorous performances. Carly is particularly talented at adopting various personas in her work, often to hilarious effect, and at tackling challenging issues in an engaging, accessible manner.’ – Katie Ailes, Producer at Loud Poets

Carly is an award-winning spoken word poet and enjoys writing poetry for the stage.

After winning Scotland’s National Poetry Slam in 2013, she has performed feature sets regularly at dozens of locations in the UK and internationally. Carly’s poems blend comedy with emotional candor, tackling a diverse range of topics with lyrical agility, intelligence and wit. Common topics explored in her poems include relationships and sexuality, literature, art and history.

Performing at UK New Artists’ Leicester City Takeover Festival 2022 / Photo credit: Matt Cawrey

Carly has performed at dozens of live events in the UK, Europe and the USA. Particular highlights include: The University of St Andrews TedX Conference, St Andrews (April 2013 and 2014), Grolier Poetry bookshop in Cambridge Massachusetts (2013), the 600th Anniversary Graduation Dinner at the University of St Andrew in 2013 (performing a poem commissioned by Principal Louise Richardson), StAnza Poetry Festival (2015), Glastonbury Festival (2015), and The Loud Poets’ Edinburgh Fringe Show at the Scottish Storytelling Centre (several years running).

You can keep up to date with her upcoming events by joining her newsletter.  If you’re interested in booking her for your event or organization, see the Contact page for how to get in touch.

Videos of Spoken Word Poems:

Straight – by Carly Brown

Carly Brown performing in the final of the Scottish National Slam Championships 28/03/2013.

Carly won the championship with this final poem, which earned her a place in the world finals in Paris.

50 Shades – by Carly Brown

This poem emerged from Carly’s attempt to read EL James’ 50 Shades of Grey. This poem was nominated for Best Poem at the Edinburgh Festivals in 2015.