Eight miles out from nowhere

here is Steve Ely showing perfectly how it’s done – how to sink a deep, deep tap root into English language, draw on its nourishment and grow something unshakeable but entirely original.

Jo Bell’s Always There Awards #4

Deep in the bowels of the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham, is the secret weapon of the West Midlands and the UK writing scene. Who is this meek, mild-mannered man – arts manager by day, arts manager by night and poetry superhero? This man who squirms Englishly at any hint of a compliment, and is

Strange girls and poetry challenges

This strange girl, at least, was born to tell YOU what you missed this year in the world of poetry. Stand by for a mammoth blog, as I announce the Bell Jar awards for Lovely Poetic Things, 2011. Drum roll…… no, make that a cheese roll…. Best festival of the year? Well, you might think