“egg / shell”

I need to be careful... Undoubtedly, there are some good poems in Victoria Kennefick's "egg / shell". Let's start there. The collection concerns itself with two profoundly serious topics: a woman's experience of miscarriage, and the dissolving of her marriage when her husband decides to make the transition away from being a man. I cannot … Continue reading “egg / shell” →

Upcoming performances

I have secured two slots to read at the 'Word Fest' event, to be held in Market Rasen on Saturday 6th July. More exciting than that is the prospect of performing Crash again in the autumn! Hopefully checking out a potential venue next week - about which I'm really excited! After that I can start … Continue reading Upcoming performances →

“Baby Schema”

I'm afraid Isabel Galleymore's collection Baby Schema just isn't for me. It annoyed me, and I ended up skim-reading the last few poems. Partly this was because of the mono-theme underlying the work throughout (sadly a common approach for some modern collections); the reader gets little relief. Also, in general I struggle with self-indulgent poems … Continue reading “Baby Schema” →

Some of last week’s posts elsewhere…

And there are more free posts - including additional draft chapters from 'The French Story'. To find them just click on the link below. My Substack site

New books published today!

Please note: on publication date the Amazon site is showing the 17 Alma Road ebook - 9781738469390 - as a paperback, but at the ebook price. Please do not order 9781738469390 if you want a paperback and think you are getting a cheaper version. You may get an ebook! I am on to Amazon to … Continue reading New books published today! →

Virtual book launch TODAY!

This evening I am having an on-line launch of my most recent books - both of which are published tomorrow - with a short reading from each of them: - Grimsby Docks ~ A series of twenty-five poems, each written in response to photographs taken during a single morning. In the mid-19th century, Grimsby docks was perhaps … Continue reading Virtual book launch TODAY! →

This week: new books & a virtual launch event!

On Friday 16th February I am having an on-line launch of my most recent books - both of which are published the following day - with a short reading from each of them: - Grimsby Docks ~ A series of twenty-five poems, each written in response to photographs taken during a single morning. In the mid-19th century, … Continue reading This week: new books & a virtual launch event! →

“The Forward Book of Poetry 2024”

I can't be sure (how can you be?) but I think this year's Forward Book of Poetry is better than last year's - whatever "better" means... But I am still dismayed by the gimmicks some people use in order to appear 'original', and consequently the work that can get labelled as 'poetry'. For example, there … Continue reading “The Forward Book of Poetry 2024” →

Writing as Life or Death – or is it more important than that?

Sometimes, when you read other writers writing about writing, you might be forgiven for imagining that ours is a pastime undertaken in a holiday camp sitting at a desk where our notebooks are accompanied by a packet of crisps and a pint of beer. It’s all a bit ‘Hi-De-Hi’! “Let’s play this game children: it’s … Continue reading Writing as Life or Death – or is it more important than that? →