Hello, my name is...
Emily Holtom
Birmingham-based community poet, creative producer, and project manager
Emily is best known for her work as a typewriter poet, performing pop-up poetry on demand in unexpected places. In the wider arts scene, she provides support to individuals, producers, and organisations across the West Midlands, helping events run smoothly, memorably, and always with that creative sparkle.
About
Local poet, delivering arts and culture across Birmingham, Solihull, and the West Midlands
Born and based in the West Midlands, Emily is passionate about helping local arts, arts organisations, and individual creatives thrive. Since going freelance in 2024, she's built a growing portfolio that spans the cultural and literary world, from producing events and managing projects, to supporting others in developing their creative practice. She has worked with the likes of Culture Central, Nottingham City Council, The Core Theatre, and Writing West Midlands to deliver some key creative projects and outputs across the region.
As a poet, her style leans whimsical with a real-world focus, often written on the spot using a vintage typewriter at festivals and events. It’s part performance, part conversation – a little theatre of ink and paper. Knowle poet in residence in 2025, she has recently begun making a name for herself as one to watch in the Birmingham spoken word scene.
Alongside her freelance work, Emily is the Programme Manager for Children and Young People at Writing West Midlands, the region’s writer development agency.
Emily Holtom
Creative Producer and Poet
Photography: @sgillcreatives
Past and Present Collaborators
Creative Practice
1
Knowle Poet in Residence (2025), Emily puts readers at the heart of her poetry, whether it’s pop-up poems on demand, live performances, or hands-on workshops. Poetry has a way of showing up in the most unexpected places, and Emily is usually the one at the helm. Get in touch to explore the possibilities, or visit her dedicated poetry website for events and weddings here.
2
Producing and Project Management
APM Project Management qualified, Emily takes care of the nuts and bolts, from event logistics to programming, making sure literary and arts projects run smoothly from the first spark of an idea to the final applause.
As a freelance creative facilitator, Emily aims to inspire others to get creative in ways they never thought of. Whether it's part of a wider project, or a one-off session with a community group, people are always at the heart of her workshops.
4
Copywriting
With a strong knowledge of market trends and a creative flair, Emily uses a mix of creative vision and clear strategy to craft copy that really speaks - capturing the right voice and bringing ideas to life. Brands, a businesses, or creative projects alike, her words blend storytelling with precision to engage audiences and make an impact.
Testimonials
"Emily Holtom is an effective and highly professional project manager, able to deliver complex projects in a range of settings and with many different types of participants and partners."
Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive, Writing West Midlands
"Since autumn 2024, I have had the privilege of working with Emily on two strategically significant consultancy projects. Emily consistently demonstrates a high level of professionalism, strategic acumen, and exceptional skill in the written form; distilling and presenting consultation findings to an outstanding standard."
Amy Dalton-Hardy, Independent Arts Consultant
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Get in Touch
Let’s chat! Even the tiniest spark of inspiration can snowball into something unforgettable. Big plans, small ideas, or just a curious ‘what if?’ – I’m here for all of it, and I’d love to help you bring it to life.
Drop me a line and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.