There is a Madness in our Method
Well, what can I say about this gorgeous book, filled with some of the finest poetry I’ve read in years?
Not a lot that I haven’t already gushed about, so suffice to say –
PRE-ORDERS ARE OPEN!
To treat yourself to a Signed, First Run, First Edition – contact Louise direct..
Well, I think this one could have been called ‘What the World is waiting for’ – probably – but I am pleased to say that Pre-orders are now open.
There are (genuinely) a very limited number of the First Run First Edition available, and they will only be from here or the poets themselves.
So don’t delay, Click Here to find out more
Well, I keep saying that my little legs are going like the clappers under the water, but I am so pleased to say that there is finally some tangible proof as for the first time in a while, PRE-ORDERS ARE OPEN BABY – and you can now order yourself a stunningly cool copy of Alwyn Marriage’s collection, Travelling Light direct from the lady herself. She has books in hand and is ready to sign one for you.
Find out all about it HERE or if you are already convinced, order direct from Alwyn via her web site OVER THERE
In summary – yay!
Well, I have to say that it is all go in Hogland, UK at the moment, and we are going to be enjoying a poetry flood over the next few months.
I am rather chuffed that surfing the wavey crest will be a quite stunning collection from Louise Longson who is a poet that I have long admired from afar and was so pleased to be able to publish.
Her collection “The How in the World” is something particularly special, and features a gorgeous painting from Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad which is a proper treat.
Pre-order details will follow soon :)
Whilst I was-a-fettling Louise’s collection, I was mainly listening to the rather brilliant new Wolf Alice album…see what you think:)
Over the course of the year, there will be Four Challenges that focus on people and families and the places that they live.
There will be more details of how this fits together as we go, but the final challenge of the four looks at the local pub, The Red Lion.
Kitchener Road and the adjoining Hobson Road are a development of post war streets built as part of the slum clearance / regeneration of the inner cities.
As town planning was in vogue, it was decided that every block would have a shop on the corner of two roads. A Butcher, a Pub, an Iron Monger and a Grocers.
The Red Lion Pub was newly restored after being bombed in World War II, and was given quite a posh makeover, considering. Originally a coaching inn, Hobson and Kitchener Roads were built around it to keep a town planner happy, and in time it was much appreciated by the locals.
Run by a rather dubious character called Karl Raymonde, along with a variety of relatives who simply weren’t to be crossed, The Red Lion is the hub of the area, at least for the menfolk.
This challenge is asking you to describe a typical day in the life of the Red Lion – there are no limits beyond that, although it is best known for being a bit ‘dodgy’ so that is perhaps the best focus on a customer or one of the Raymonde clan.
There are no limits for the poem in terms of length or style, so it is entirely in your own hands.
To be clear:
Rules:
Well, I have to say that the Crimson Spines are truly the most gorgeous of things, and I am so pleased that the seventh competition has produced such stunning work.
I am rather chuffed then to announce that the shortlisted poets are:
But there can only be One Winner, and I am so pleased to say that this time it is:
Carmella de Keyser
for
“Heart Muscle”
Many thanks to everybody who took part – and of course, congratulations to Carmella and all that made the Shortlist :)
Well, I have to say that I am so pleased to finally be able to say that Caroline Gill’s immaculately beautiful wee collection, Polar Corona is finally (finally finally & finally) going to be real and available in time for Christmas.
This is a stunning collection of poems and I know that you will enjoy it.
Pre-order details will follow soon :)
As I am feeling quite happy at the moment, I thought I would share the rather lovely Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci who with their ‘Patio Song’ always make me smile ;)
Well, I keep saying that there is about to be a whole-lot-of-poetry-bobbins-going-on, which to be fair isn’t as catchy a song as it should be, but despite the image of inertia, I am pleased to say that indeed, there is a lot about to happen and my wee legs have been going like the clappers under the surface.
No, really.
More to the point, starting the ball-a-rolling is a quite wonderful Full Collection from the brilliant (and I don’t say that lightly) Alwyn Marriage. Travelling Light is one that I know I shall be reading for years to come, and when it is available in the soonerish, I hope you will join me.
Really. I’ll make Welsh Cakes and everything.
Pre-order details will follow next week, I would imagine. Cool as.
I know this is a bit cliched, but as one of my favourite bands, The Tindersticks, also have a classic called Travelling Light, well, here it be. Enjoy.
Well, I know that this one is top of the eagerly awaited list and I am rather proud to say that it is imminent. Out in December, this is a selection of poems that concentrate on teenage (and older) fascination with the achingly cool, hot or <insert your own teenage crush or obsession> getting a poem all to themselves.
I am pleased as a punchy Punch to be able to finally share the cover.
Yay me.
Well who could I possibly have been thinking of when I fettled this wee collection?
Yep. Chappell Roan, who is rather cool, I must say. She must be. My daughter makes me listen to her regularly.
I know that we did Christmas last month, but I thought we’d gild that there lily one last time, as I wanted to produce our Christmas card this year and maybe even remember to send them for once.
This challenge then is a bit different from the Annual, as it is just for a single poem.
It is limited to a short form poem – Haiku, Tanka, got-bored-halfway, that sort of thing, but it must convey something that will make people smile.
What that is, I shall leave up to you.
The winning poem will be printed in our Christmas card and there will be plenty of copies for the poet, clearly, but they will also win a posh hamper from somewhere that does posh hampers. (I think we did Fortnum & Masons last time, but I’ll see what I can organise.)
To be clear:
Rules: