I may not have updated this page for a while but I have not been idle! February Stablemates had to compete with many other London poetry events and Storm Doris but was a wonderful evening nonetheless. Pavilion Press editor, Deryn Rees-Jones and two of her poets, Mona Arshi and Ruby Robinson played to a packed house in March. In between, the Masterclass with Sean O’Brien was fascinating and the launch of Rishi Dastidar’s Ticker-tape was so succesful that they ran out of books before I could get one – Family Hold Back! I’m happy to say I’m now the proud owner of a copy, thanks Rishi.

My big news was being awarded Arts Council Funding for Stablemates! The first one to benefit will be in April when Steve Ely will come down from Huddersfield to take part and his brand new book will be available ahead of its publication! The other two poets are Nancy Charley and Richard Skinner – details are on my events page and here’s the advance booking link.

I have more great poets lined up for May and June (see my Stablemates page). Note that June’s will be on WEDNESDAY 28th June, in order not to clash with the launch of The Golden Shovel Anthology.

I had a little poem published on the High Window Journal: Issue 5 (Spring 2017) – the ACE funding includes money for personal development so I hope to be able to add more to my Poems page before too long.

On July 8th, I took part in The Persisters present Holding the Line – a celebration of feminism through poetry and the live arts. One of the purposes of the event was to raise money for Women’s Aid – it’s not too late to sponsor me! Thanks to those who have already donated.

Thanks also to anyone who nominated Stablemates for the Saboteur Awards – it made the longlist! Voting is open until the end of April for those on the shortlist and the prizegiving is on May 13th.