I have a little poem ‘shopping list’ in the latest issue of Perhappened zine, their ‘heatwave’ issue. This relatively new zine is steered by the lovely Isaura, and aims to give a snapshot of the now.
Matthew Smith of Black Bough Poetry has curated 2 volumes of wonderful poems inspired by Robert Macfarlanes’s ‘Underland: A Deep Time Journey’.
Delighted to see my deep time poem ‘Precious’ in volume 2, under the section ‘Liquid walls’. Both volumes, which include fabulous artwork by Rebecca Wainwright, are available from Amazon, details can be found here.
And we are at the printers! Charlie Markwick of Yarn Whispering has done a fantastic job of formatting and layout, and alongside artwork, chosen by Ziggy, by Glen Vaudrey and Steve Samsara, and a cover by Jason Conway, we are good to go.
It has been an enjoyable six months or so, working remotely alongside Ziggy and Charlie: discussing submissions, editing, section arrangements, proofs, and corresponding with the contributors.
Black Bough Poetry are hosting a ‘Deep Time Day’ on twitter, and across facebook and instagram, to celebrate the publication of their Deep Time poetry anthologies, volumes 1 and 2. All the poems, musical compositions and artwork, by Rebecca Wainwright, were inspired by Robert Macfarlanes’ ‘Underland: A Deep Time Journey’. Contributors will be sharing their readings, photographs and poems.
The hardback Pandemic Poetry anthology is now out in world. I’m so pleased that my poem ‘Looking for Dad’ has been included. Proceeds from the sales go to NHS charities and frontline workers PPE. The anthology, which features over 70 poets can be ordered here.
And it’s me!
Back in March Cardiff City of Arcades launched a poetry competition, with the brief ‘a celebration of Cardiff’. The winning poem is displayed in one of the 7 historic Cardiff shopping arcades, alongside 6 commissioned Welsh poets. My poem is now up, in Morgan Arcade, and I’m so delighted it is alongside the lovely Mab Jones’ poem ‘Summer city’. Having grown up, and now living back in Cardiff it is a very special competition to win. Happy days.
The lovely Kate has decided a bonus ‘Joy’ edition of the Failure Baler is required, and I couldn’t agree more. It will be out and about mid December, including my joyful poem ‘ Mid-engined 1990 Mazda Bongo’ (which is now in van heaven.) This edition can be received by request from: thefailurebaler@outlook.com.
I’ve always been interested in ekphrastic poetry, and was lucky enough to attend some of Rachel Carney’s inspiring sessions in Cardiff. My poem ‘Walking Home’ inspired by Moses Salihou‘s ‘Unbreakable’ artwork (below) has been accepted for publication in The Ekphrastic Review‘s 5 year anniversary anthology, which I’m very excited about. The free ebook can be downloaded here.
On Friday 11th December, Sarah Barr will be launching her new collection ‘January’ via zoom. Sarah will be reading alongside other Maytree Press poets including myself, for a festive night of celebration. I will be reading ‘A reflection on the dreaming collective’ from Maytree’s ‘Green Fields’ anthology.
I’m thrilled that the north of England based The Broken Spine will be publishing my poem ‘Thanking Nan for a Souvenir Christ on the Cross’ in their Third Edition of The Broken Spine Artists Collective in the Spring. TBS is run by the talented duo of Alan & Paul. Cover reveal below!