Welcome to 2014!

A quick post to recap on 2013, and announce my writing goals and news for 2014...

2013 was fairly slow on the poetry front. However, I did force myself to submit to more publishing opportunities and competitions, and, amongst the many expected rejections, I did receive one acceptance. One of one poems, 'Prophet' will appear in the Sentinel Literary Quarterly magazine in February 2014.

2013 also saw my work published in 'Message In A Bottle' on-line magazine, issue 19 (although the acceptance came in 2012!). Three poems - 'Flight', 'The End' and 'Time Travel' are showcased. I'm very happy to have found a home for them! You can find them on-line now at http://www.messageinabottlepoetrymagazine.com/issue-19.php

I have also been continuing to work on arts and book reviews, and my, slow-going, novel. We shall see what 2014 will bring on this score, as I have lots of ideas, both for my novel and for a number of short stories.

Most recently, I am working on poetic responses to photographs, and am involved in an up-coming exhibition at the Corn Hall in Diss, Norfolk, opening on 4th February 2014, entitled 'On the Eve of...' It is turning out to be an interesting and enjoyable challenge, and there are some wonderful photos to engage with, looking at how text and images can interact.

If you're in the area, I hope you can take a visit. Entry is free!

Book Launch (Unfortunately not mine!)

In November I had the privilege of attending the book launch of a dear friend, who was launching not one, but two poetry books at once!

Kim Lasky's two titles - 'Eclipse' and 'Petrol, Cyan, Electric' are both long over-due. They also both contain wonderful snapshots of scientific discoveries and exploration. 'Eclipse', published by Templar Books, is a sequence of personal discovery and encounter, of the Moon, of a relationship, of the very process of discovery. It is sweet, lyrical and vivid, full of imagery and imagination.

The companion to 'Eclipse', 'Petrol, Cyan, Electric', published by smith doorstop, is more focused on the history of scientific exploration, narratives of those people, often women, found hidden behind the limelight of great inventions and discoveries. These are the stories that aren't told, the details we can only guess at, woven into being by Kim's vivid details and descriptions.

As well as reading pieces from both volumes, Kim treated us to an audio-visual piece, combining a recorded reading and film, as was well rounded-off by some wonderful music by a local 'electric' blues band, complimenting nicely with the theme of electricity and power.

The mix of material made for an interesting and lively evening, as well as showing how book launches and readings can move away from the traditional reading from the book and use other ways of interacting with the audience to draw attention to the poetry.

A wonderful evening, and well-recommended books!