A Valentine from the river
Valentine’s Day – or, as we call it in our family, “Simon’s birthday”. Consider love, dear reader: the biggest, baggiest and most baggage-laden word in our lovely language. Who expresses it … Continue reading
Submitting to journals: the Jo Bell method
I’ve spent some time lately with poetry journal editors – and also with the poor poetic beggars who, like me, send off work to them. It’s struck me anew … Continue reading
52 – the books!
After 52 weeks of blisteringly good creative input and output, my 52 project ends with the last hours of 2014. It’s been such a success that we wanted to commemorate … Continue reading
The first freeze
This is what we call ‘cat ice’ – probably because it’s just thick enough to support a foolish cat…. for a while anyway. It came in the night and … Continue reading
Mistletoe and (hopefully) wine
Just a quick one to announce what I like to call my World Tour of Small But Perfectly Formed Venues With Fabulous People Next Week: Monday 8th December, I’m in … Continue reading
An Announcement
It’s been a bloody long time coming and it’s not here yet – but my second collection will be published in spring 2015 by Nine Arches Press. Why Nine Arches? … Continue reading
A letter to Nicky Morgan
Here’s what our education secretary said recently at a conference to promote science and technology learning. Here’s my reply. Dear Ms Morgan – I left school in 1986. I did … Continue reading
