The Magic Border: The new 2023 debut poetry collection from prize-winning musician Arlo Parks

‘An embrace of a book’ Florence Welch ‘Poetry was my place, my little clearing in the forest, where I could quietly put everything I was holding. I’m not sure what gave me the courage to open up that space to you, but here I am, doing it.’ The Magic Border is the debut book from Mercury Prize-winning musician and poet Arlo Parks, combining never-before-seen poetry, song lyrics and beautiful, intimate images from collaborator, photographer Daniyel Lowden. Featuring twenty original poems, alongside an exclusive artist’s statement and the complete lyrics from her sophomore album My Soft Machine, this vital collection explores the queer experience, blackness, grief, trauma and love through the eyes of the remarkable young musician. The Magic Border allows readers rare insight into her creative process and beautifully showcases the full breadth of Arlo’s singular artistry. ‘Arlo Parks pulls beauty around her as a war tactic, and she shares the spoils with us’ Katie Gavin, MUNA ‘There’s as much music in Arlo’s poetry as there is poetry in her music’ Lucy Dacus ‘Wonderful, full of intoxicating beauty and tenderness. This is a collection to savour’ Irenosen Okojie, author of Nudibranch Arlo Parks, the Sunday Times bestselling author, presents her debut book, The Magic Border, a collection that explores the themes of the LGBTQ+ experience, grief, and love. Her individual style and the best of her photography and poetry make this book a must-read. For fans of Joelle Taylor (C+nto), Maggie Nelson (The Red Parts), Zadie Smith (The Wife of Willesden), Stanley Tucci (Taste), and Jessica Andrews (Saltwater). HarperCollins 2023