blog, notebook, images
A new poem 'Self-Portrait as a Green Silk Dress' has been accepted by 14 magazine (Vanguard Editions) and will be published in their next issue, now available to order. My thanks to editor Richard Skinner. Here is an image of the dress that inspired the poem:
I've recently made a few changes to this website/blog, including changing the site's WordPress theme and updating my 'About/Contact' page. Like other WordPress users, I've found some of the recent technical changes to WordPress difficult to navigate and I've considered switching to a different platform (maybe Substack? Are any of you using that?). But, for… Continue reading Updates to my ‘about me’ page
My poem 'A Baby Speaks on his Birthday in an Autumn Garden, 2020' has been longlisted in this year's Live Canon International Poetry Competition and will be published in their annual anthology. Anthology cover photo by Anna Watson My thanks to the competition organisers, everyone at Live Canon and judge Jennifer Wong. More details and… Continue reading New Poem in the 2021 Live Canon Anthology
I have two new poems, 'To Love One Another' and 'True Crime' in The North magazine, Issue 66, (the 'Apart Together' issue) available to pre-order here. In the same publication, I've reviewed new poetry collections by Katherine Stansfield (Seren Books), Maria Taylor (Nine Arches Press) and Jackie Wills (Arc Poetry). I'm continuing to post new… Continue reading New poems, reviews and visual pieces
I have two new poems coming out in The North magazine, should be very soon. In the same issue, I've reviewed poetry collections by Maria Taylor, Katherine Stansfield and Jackie Wills. I've also had an acceptance for a poem in 14 magazine which will be published later this year. Many rejections which I won't list… Continue reading July Update
Saturday and Sunday Saturday was spent driving our son back to his student flat in London. It was the first time we'd been that way since Christmas when we picked him up to come home for the holidays. Everyone says London is much quieter because of the pandemic and of course it's true. Both of… Continue reading Diary Snippets, weekending 14 March, 2021
Monday and Tuesday It's incredible to think that it is nearly one year since the first UK lockdown, when the whole of the country learned a new way of living. The weather has been gifting us with some spring-like days which I've really enjoyed. My son is going back to his student accommodation in London… Continue reading Recent Diary Snippets
What a pipsqueak of a month February is. Over in the blink of an eye, or perhaps that's just me experiencing time whizzing past as I grow older. I finished the Papatango online playwriting course at the beginning of the month. Taking part in the course enabled me to edit and finish an audio play… Continue reading No Big Leaps in February
It's not obligatory to write an end of year post, but it would feel strange to me not to pass comment on this strangest of years. My 2020 began with a week in the English Lake District, near Brotherswater, staying at Thomas Grove House and Cottage in Hartsop. I was with Jane Commane, publisher and… Continue reading End of *That* Year
As this strange year draws to an end (although, the end still feels like a long way off to me), I'm pleased to tell you that I have a few pieces of new writing in circulation. I've been writing poems for about ten years now, after a period of not writing at all while my… Continue reading A few new pieces of writing
