My debut book of poems, the other body, is now published and available from Guillemot Press. Join me, Petero Kalule and Clarissa Alvarez for our joint launch event on 14 October 2021.
Project update: listening, waves, unfurling
Back in 2019 I wrote about my hopes for a new poetry project, which I called “that listening space” for the time being. I now call it CYMA, for ease, and as the project evolves. I thought I’d share an update on where the project has taken me to date, some of the challenges I’veContinue reading “Project update: listening, waves, unfurling”
My guide to getting your poetry published
I’ve had great fun over the last couple of weeks talking to my colleague Simon on The Writing Life podcast about how to get your poetry published. This is a question I’m often asked in my work as a programmer at National Centre for Writing, and I hope that the combination of my professional insightContinue reading “My guide to getting your poetry published”
Developing a conscious writing practice 2: writing projects
In the first part of my series of posts about developing a conscious writing practice, I looked at the benefits of reflecting on one’s writing practice, and how I’ve come to be more aware of my own writing rhythms and productivity. In this second part I’m going to think about how I’ve gone from writingContinue reading “Developing a conscious writing practice 2: writing projects”
Vessel: the first podcast, with Cat Woodward
This year I founded Vessel, a new indie zine exploring poems as containers. Joining me to guest edit issue one is my long-time collaborator and friend Cat Woodward. As the submissions window for issue one draws to a close (23:59 BST on 28 August – more info here) we thought we’d do a short podcastContinue reading “Vessel: the first podcast, with Cat Woodward”
Adventures in Reading: the story so far
Six months into writing my monthly Adventures in Reading newsletter, which traces my journeys in books, libraries and bibliophilia, I thought now felt like a great time to review my adventures so far. You can find out all about my Adventures in Reading here – why I write them, why reading is so important toContinue reading “Adventures in Reading: the story so far”
A tale of two (or more) stories: a photo essay
It’s the last day of the month, which means it’s time for the latest in my Adventures in Reading series of essays. This time, in “A book holds many stories” I explore how books as physical objects hold stories beyond the printed word. I mix words and photographs, taking inspiration from Chirodeep Chaudhuri and JerryContinue reading “A tale of two (or more) stories: a photo essay”
Developing a conscious writing practice
Around June-July for the last three years in a row, I’ve had a really productive writing time. In the space of a few weeks each summer, I seem to make more progress than I would usually do over 6 months, in terms of both ending up with a near-complete manuscript or two, and of improvingContinue reading “Developing a conscious writing practice”
Snail experiments
Over the last few weeks I’ve been revisiting a project that I undertook in 2014, in which I collaborated with snails. I noticed that after periods of summer rain, the gravelled front garden of the house where I was living with friends would come alive with snails. I remember that summer as one of warmContinue reading “Snail experiments”
NCW The Writing Life podcast: Bluebird, Bluebird
This week I was back on the NCW The Writing Life podcast to talk about the next iteration of our Book Club. We’ll be reading and discussing Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke, a crime novel that combines a compelling plot and an insightful look at law enforcement and race in Texas. You can join theContinue reading “NCW The Writing Life podcast: Bluebird, Bluebird”
