First of all, an apology…I’ve lost count of the polished and (un)polished gems who I’ve had the pleasure of sharing with you all. Or I mixed up the numbers. But anyway; from now on they’re (un) numbered. Forgive me. And I realise that I want to tie up some loose ends. It may not look … Continue reading Undercover poets and an (un)discovered gem: Vicky Gatehouse →

[This post was originally published on the Write Out Loud website in September] . I read this on Julie Mellor’s poetry blog last week: “I aim to post something once a week on my blog but last weekend I skipped it. Maybe I didn’t have anything to say. Maybe I didn’t have the energy or … Continue reading Two pamphlets: Victoria Gatehouse and John-Paul Burns →

It has been (as Garrison Keillor never wrote) a packed week, and a very satisfying one. I found out I’d got a Highly Commended in the Buzzwords Competition (along with my good friend Maria Isakova Bennett), and a 2nd prize in the Otley Poetry Prizes, which is organised by the OWF, and the indefatigable Peter … Continue reading From the back catalogue (6).Rhythm →

Promises to keep and apologies to make; it’s been too long since the last post. I may be part-Troll. I may be like Detritus in Terry Pratchett’s stories…our brains don’t work in hot weather. I’ve also been distracted by disparate things. Like a cat going missing so I spend days of high anxiety, posting 150 … Continue reading The tigers of wrath, and an (un)discovered gem: David Spencer →

I’m awash with poems and poets and poetry. Saturday and today : Poetry at the Parsonage. A two day poetry festival in Haworth; two stages, and more poets than you could shake a stick at. I’ve never been to a poetry festival before, let alone being asked to read at one. It reminded me of … Continue reading A gem revisited : Yvie Holder →

As Garrison Keillor would never have written: it has been a busy week, here in the West (and North) Riding of Yorkshire. Three book launches, and a reading with more poets than you could shake a stick at. In reverse order: yesterday was an afternoon of Irish roots and more or less loose connections at … Continue reading Gems revisited: Bob Horne (and Calder Valley Poetry) →

I promised you last week that we’d be having a guest, and also that I wouldn’t keep you waiting with a lengthy lot of musings about whatever had distracted me during the week. On the other hand, I did say I’d explain the business of an important Rugby League game. If you’re not passionate about … Continue reading lights and bushels: another Polished Gem..Mike Di Placido →