May newsletter

Poetry, plays and preparing for normality

Sorry it’s been so long again. Sadly last year ended quite badly after COVID hit my family in the worst way and things, once again, went off the rails.

I hope that you’re all safe and well. As the world is inching its way back to normality, I think it’s important to remember that we all need to do what is best for us, and not what everyone else says we should be doing.

Stay safe and be kind.

GloPoWriMo

Over the last month I’ve been writing a poem a day as part of the annual GloPoWriMo challenge. I’m so grateful to NaPoWriMo for providing their free (and excellent!) prompts, and was lucky enough to be selected as their featured participant on 22 April for my poem, Kiwi Fruit. All of my poems will remain available to read until the end of May.

Key Words: Poems from Lockdown

Speaking of poetry, today I received my copy of Key Words: Poems from Lockdown, a lovely charity anthology in which three of my poems appear. The book is launching online on Monday, 3 May, and if you would like to purchase a paperback copy they are available to order from News from Nowhere. An eBook version is also available from Bobaloo Books.

Short but Sweet: Zoom Edition

Stepping away from poetry, on 14 May, Liverpool Network Theatre Group will be performing a collection of short plays online, including my play Ghost Light.

I’m really looking forward to seeing their talented actors bring my script to life and I hope you will be able to watch and support this evening of new writing, all from the comfort of your own home.

What I’m reading

Self Made: The Life and Times of Madam CJ Walker by A'Lelia Bundles

Things that have caught my eye

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows - so much inspiration
Skeletor’s best insults - childhood nostalgia at its best
The History of Halloween - an online lecture which will brighten up my late autumn
A Taste for Bread by Penny Blackburn - a debut poetry collection inspired by fairytales and myths, keep an eye out for my review in the near future
Only about Love by Debbi Voisey - an emotional novella in flash due to be released this August, keep an eye out for my review in late July
A £35 violin in an antique shop which I couldn’t leave there gathering dust - I’m awaiting my cake of rosin with baited breath…