Published Poems (May)

I cannot believe that I have neglected to give these successes a proper post, they deserve more than a mere reference in a monthly review.

In May the deadline for submissions to the Seamus Heaney Anthology were extended, I took full advantage & submitted some poems, one of which – ‘Bridgework’ was accepted for publication.

The launch is planned for late summer in Norwich.

Later in May, an April submission bore fruition. Paper Swans accepted my poem ‘Ambiguous Answers’ in the up and coming School Days Anthology.

There will be London, Oxford and Edinburgh launches for this publication.

I am delighted.

This year I have been focussing on building my own collection and have watched submission deadlines sail past without entry. So I am hugely fortunate that 6 months into the year I already have work published in three anthologies and several websites.

‘Gas Street Basin’ Published: Birmingham Book Club – Birmingham Bound Anthology

Back in April I made a submission to this anthology – Birmingham Bound – they had so much interest that they emailed us all to tell us that the results would be announced next month, which is now this month!

I am delighted to say that my poem ‘Gas Street Basin’, based on part of the canal network (more waterways than Venice) was originally written for a performance commission I had at Birmingham Literature Festival last year, organised by Naked Lungs.

 I am so glad to be included in this anthology, I feel like it is a minute token for a city that has given me so much poetry – but a little thank you to our wonderful 2nd City, a place I am proud to suggest is almost home – Midlands based at least!