I attended half of an on-line multi-poet poetry reading the other day - and it was like being machine-gunned with poetry. "Here's a poem; here's a poem; here's a poem; here's a poem" ... a rat-a-tat-tat of quick-fire delivery, one piece after the other. A session for the readers themselves, not really for the listeners. … Continue reading Poetry: Chew don’t Swallow…
Category: Poetry
“Ox-Eye”
There is something quite enigmatic and magical about Anne Rouse’s latest collection, “Ox-Eye”. Many of her images are nuanced, coded, almost just out of reach. It is as if she has an idea, taken one step away from it to ‘make it poetic’ (as is the way with poets!), and then taken another step away … Continue reading “Ox-Eye”
Finally – A FIRST PRIZE!
I am delighted to announce that I have won First Prize in the Short Story category for the 2022 Swanwick Writers' Summer school. This is a prestigious prize, and I am absolutely thrilled! Swanwick Writers’ Summer School has been captivating audiences for over 70 years. Believed to be the longest running residential writers’ school in … Continue reading Finally – A FIRST PRIZE!
Another great mentoring experience!
Last week I had the great privilege of mentoring at another Writers' Retreat. In addition to a couple of workshop sessions, at the core of my mentoring are 1-2-1 sessions with each of the attendees during which we discuss their current and future projects. Sometimes they arrived burdened with uncertainty over what to do next, … Continue reading Another great mentoring experience!
Writing longhand…
"you have to make an effort when putting pen to paper; it's more meaningful; you leave something of yourself in the marks you make"Caroline, in my forthcoming story "Smoking in the Park"
Working in ‘the office’…
I like to add some variety to my working routine. Often - as this morning - I make my way first thing to the café in one of our local supermarkets. Usually first or second to be served (black Americano and an almond croissant), I plant myself at the far corner table and open my … Continue reading Working in ‘the office’…
Looking forward to mentoring again…
On Thursday next week I embark on another three-day gig as on-site mentor for a writers' retreat. The commitment involves running a couple of workshops, some evening sessions - ice-breakers, readings etc. - and individual 1-2-1s with the participants. Based on my experiences thus far, I am probably looking forward to the 1-2-1s most of … Continue reading Looking forward to mentoring again…
Published today! “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
I am delighted to be able to announce the publication of "Selected Poems: 1976-2022". At a recent reading event, I was asked which of my collections was my ‘best book’. It was an innocent enough question, designed to aid a purchasing decision. It was also an unfair one. Any marginal preference I may have for … Continue reading Published today! “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
New Podcast Episode: “The Homelessness of a Child”
I have just added readings of poems from my collection The Homelessness of a Child to my podcast "Walking Thru Fire". You can find this episode - and many others! - on Buzzsprout, and it should find its way onto other podcast platforms - such as Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music etc. - in the next … Continue reading New Podcast Episode: “The Homelessness of a Child”
New publication: “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
I am delighted to be able to announce the forthcoming publication of "Selected Poems: 1976-2022". At a recent reading event, I was asked which of my collections was my ‘best book’. It was an innocent enough question, designed to aid a purchasing decision. It was also an unfair one. Any marginal preference I may have … Continue reading New publication: “Selected Poems: 1976-2022”
Ian Gouge - Writer 