On Wednesday 9 September I travelled to Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea to talk to Swansea and District Writers' Circle about poetry, my process, themes I explore in my work, editing, and that the Universe has a praise kink!
A great evening was had at the online launch of The Scottish Centre for Geopoetics latest journal issue 'Stravaig 16'. It was a joy to host the event with poets, essay writers and artists sharing their work and process, as well as hearing from the journal editors and Norrie Bissell, the Centre's Director.
I also had a poem included in the issue. Stravaig 16 is available free, online here.
I’ll be reading on 25 July at 8pm, in Porthcawl, at the last Sustainable Wales/Cymru Gynaliadwy Green Room of summer alongside Merryn Hutchings, and new music from Richard Thomas and Peter Morgan. Open Mic slots available, come along!
Many thanks to Robert Minhinnick and Sustainable Wales for the invitation.
Ticket are now live for Cheltenham Poetry Festival in person events 7-17 May 2025. I'll be reading at an online event, date coming soon. Many thanks to Anna Saunders and team for the slot.
Fancy a re-introduction to poetry? I've been asked to host a session on Monday 27 Jan, 2pm, at Lisvane Library, Cardiff. Come along and be reacquainted! More details below. Register at the library or via their Facebook page.
On Tuesday 8 October I took part in the Friends of Rhiwbeina Library Author talk series at Hyb Rhiwbeina Hub. I read a few poems from my forthcoming hybrid art and poem micro pamphlet 'City Companions' from Hedgehog Press, and talked about the collaboration process with the artist Karen Pierce-Gonzalez. Also my Bridport Prize shortlist poem 'Dad was a typesetter', 'Arcade Hopping' which is on display in Cardiff City Centre, 'Weeping Willow' from a Dylan Thomas anthology, 'Day trip to the mountains' from the Cambrian Mountains Society poetry competition, among others.
For National Poetry Day this year I visited 90 children in Year 3 (3 groups of 30!) at Rhiwbeina Primary School. We had a wonderful time talking about being a poet and writing 'Long Thin poems' together, inspired by this prompt from Micheal Rosen. We talking about what makes something special, made 'word ponds', wrote long thin poems, edited them, and then performed some aloud. A fabulous morning.
Wonderful evening at the online launch of Black Bough's 'In flight' edition, which I guest edited. It was lovely to host over 30 poets who read their poems from the anthology and the open as mic as well. I shared the selection process, talked emerging themes, companion artwork, flight, and poetry in the time of global conflict.
Thanks to Matthew MC Smith for arranging and intro-ing.
Its been a very busy month attending works shops and book launches for talented friends!
Taz Rahman and Zoe Brigley from Seren held a joint night at Tiger Bay Poetry in Cardiff Bay, reading from their most recent collections and holding an interview section which I always enjoy.
