Professor Kennard discusses the research and thinking that led to his seventh poetry collection, The Book of Jonah.
Professor Luke Kennard's The Book of Jonah, released on 4 September 2025, was immediately met with widescale praise upon its release. The poetry collection garnered numerous accolades, including book of the year from the Telegraph, Irish Times, Guardian and The Week.
In his inaugural lecture, Professor Kennard explores the stories, theories and theological concepts that inspired his writing.
Professor Kennard is now set to release his latest novel: Black Bag- 'A warped campus novel, an investigation into the crisis of masculinity and an off-kilter love story, Black Bag is a firework of a novel: blazingly funny and profoundly humane'. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker included Black Bag in her 2026 book roundup on Instagram, after a recommendation from author Zadie Smith. Black Bag will release on 12 March 2026.
Professor of Creative Writing
Biographical and contact information for Dr Luke Kennard, Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Birmingham.
