The month of April got off to a great start with the launch of Finished Creatures Issue 6. I attended both the Zoom launch and the later in-person event held at that well–known poetry haunt, the Betsey Trotwood pub in Farringdon, London. I really appreciate how Jan Heritage, the editor, helps poets to network through the events she organises. We were asked to read our own poem and also one by another poet who could not be there. Also early in the month, I listened to Kim Moore discussing her latest book of lyric essays. I was fascinated to hear how she incorporated responses people had had to her poems and her own reaction to those responses. 

Throughout the month, I have been attending an Arvon online course ‘Towards a Collection’. This has been excellent but has also involved a lot of thinking and weekly homework. We have been given very useful tools to help us build and shape our future collections. I have also been busy promoting my book, Sleeping Under Clouds, a collaboration with artist Sula Rubens, just published by Clayhanger Press. I have started going round local bookshops who are often keen to support local authors and are willing to take books on a sale or return basis. It does, however, mean you need to keep good records including noting how much commission they will take. I recommend buying books from independent bookshops or the publisher if you can; it helps keep everyone in business! I have also been sending out the press release the publisher provided. As a result, Sula and I were interviewed by Sarah Lilley, BBC Radio Suffolk and I have an interview with Ipswich Community Radio on 5th May at the early hour of 8am (not my best time!) 

Sula’s exhibition, Kind, at Mandell’s Gallery in Elm Hill, Norwich opened on 22nd April and runs until 20th May. On 29th April we will do a joint talk about our collaboration at the Gallery. The official launch of our book is by Zoom on 4th May 7-8pm. Readers of this blog are very welcome to attend. Please register with Eventbrite using the details below and you will be sent a link. I have three guest readers: Mary Mulholland, Sarah Mnatzaganian and Clare Best. 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-launch-of-sleeping-under-clouds-tickets-615588550927 

Mid-month, Suffolk Poetry Society and Ely Stanza (both stanzas of the Poetry Society) got together for a Stanza Bonanza in Bury St Edmunds. There were five excellent readers from each side, the Ely side led by Sarah Mnatzaganian. It was a gloriously sunny day and beer and poetry under a beamed ceiling went down very well. We are hoping to arrange a return match next year. I also attended some other poetry gatherings in London. Four poets, Mary Mulholland, Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana, Emma Simon and Ken Evans read from their new books in a crowded pub near Kings Cross, the last three poets being published by Salt Publishing. It was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and also to network. I went armed with some small flyers with details of my own launch and my visit cards and passed them on to those who were interested.  A week later I was back at the Betsey Trotwood for a special event to mark the fact that Tamar Yoseloff is stepping down after seven years as a tutor for the Poetry School’s MA course. Present and past alumni put on a great show of poetry and warmth to mark the occasion.  

Finally, I would like to apologise for an error in March Musings. The link to Morag Smith’s pamphlet ‘Spoil’ (Broken Sleep Books) should have said The Alchemy Spoon Issue 7. (Not issue 6). This has now been corrected. You can read the online issue here and enjoy some excerpts from Morag’s poems. 

If you would like to contact me to comment or follow up, please send me an email via the contact box on my website