A poem for Boxing Day, ‘I’ve Just Invented the Tai Chi Sprout Stalk Form’ published in the 12 Days of Christmas feature at Ink Sweat & Tears. Thanks to Helen Ivory.
The North 63
Good to have a couple of new poems in the latest issue of The North – ‘Birmingham Canal’ and ‘Swimming Pool at Night, Doug Ellis Sports Centre’. Thanks to Peter and Ann Sansom. A cracking issue. Great to see David Crystal poems in there, who edited Dog magazine back in the day – haven’t seen work by David for ages.
Reading at the Indie Press Poetry Showcase, Birmingham
I’m reading at the Indie Press Poetry Showcase at Birmingham University this coming Saturday, 19th October. Looking forward to hearing everyone else – there are sixteen of us reading for 5 minutes each. It should be a blast.
Craft of Writing Teacher Short Course
Very much looking forward to co-tutoring on the Craft of Writing Teacher Short Course for the Arvon Foundation with Jamila Gavin at Lumb Bank, November 1st-3rd 2019.
New Poems in Litter
I’m very pleased to have four new poems published in the excellent Litter. Thanks to Alan Baker.
New poems on M58
Good to have some new work published on M58, Thanks to Andrew Taylor.
Reading Round: a new reading group in Cheltenham
I’m delighted to be leading a Reading Round in Cheltenham and looking forward to starting it in September. Reading Round is a reading group with no preparatory reading or other homework. The focus is on reading and exploring a short story and a poem in each session: I will distribute copies and read them aloud, and we’ll discuss them in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. There’s more information here. The Reading Round will take place at School House Cafe, a community-based cafe in St Pauls, walking distance from Cheltenham town centre. Sessions will be on Tuesdays at 2.00-3.30pm starting 17th September 2019. The Reading Round is free to attend, but places are limited and booking is essential. If you’d like to book a place or find out more, please send me an email. There are thirty sessions in total. Reading Round is sponsored by the Royal Literary Fund.
Prose Poetry Anthology
Good to have work in this new anthology of prose poetry. Thanks to Anne Caldwell and Oz Hardwick. I thought it was going to be good and it is – well worth checking out here.
Arvon Teacher Week, July 2019
Very much looking forward to tutoring the Arvon Teacher Week with Catherine Johnson, July 22nd-27th at The Hurst in Shropshire. An Arvon course at Lumb Bank was hugely important when I started out writing. This is a great opportunity for teachers – and it’s subsidised.
The Golden Book: Fifty Years of Arvon
Good to have a piece in this, an anthology celebrating fifty years of the Arvon Foundation. Available here or free if you attend an Arvon course in 2019.
