Rock Balance

Winter is back - I've knackered my shoulder - my novel is fighting me - thank goodness for people like Pontus Jansson!

Granny Garbage is here!

This week marked the welcome arrival of two things: spring (ish) and copies of my new poetry pamphlet Granny Garbage.  What the photo doesn't show you is just how gorgeous it is - beautifully heavy creamy paper, luscious green endpapers, seductive layout - all trademarks of Nell Nelson's HappenStance Press.

It's exciting to have joined the ranks of so many admirable HappenStance poets - you can find my page here, where I can be seen trying to look, er, poetic.

And if you fancy getting your hands on a copy of Granny Garbage, have a look here.

There will be a launch in May for HappenStance's two newest pamphlets - Granny Garbage and Michael Grieve's Luck.  Invitations and details to follow!

160th Celebrations

This weekend my head will be full of music.  Join me if you can at the Caird Hall, Dundee at 7:30 on Sunday 18 March, where the Dundee Choral Union will be celebrating their 160th anniversary with works by Arthur Sullivan, George Oldroyd and Antonin Dvorak.

And if you can't make it, here's what we'll be closing the evening with -

Gorgeous, isn't it?

The Creative Process 2

Second in an occasional series on the creative process* - and because it was foggy last night - I give you the large, elusive idea that may come clear, or may just tantalise and fade away ...

* see also here

Pushkin Prize 2018

When World Book Day week in the UK and heavy snowfalls coincide, there can be a fair whack of travel anxiety.  My WBD week was no exception, but I had a secret weapon to help me deal with delays, cancellations, general uncertainty and really, really cold winds ...  

I had this year's Pushkin Prize entries to read!  

I'm pleased to be a judge again, sharing the post with Carnegie-medal-winner Theresa Breslin.  If you want to know more about this excellent initiative, fix yourself a cuppa and watch the video below.  Even if you are in the throes of snow grumps, it will lift your spirits.  Guaranteed.