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As she prepares to release her debut poetry collection the last polar bear on earth, Rhian will be writing a daily blog for us across September about her writing and her life, so here's an interview to get you all introduced...

There is clearly a lot going on in your poetry, what influenced you to write?

I know. It’s because there’s a lot going on in my head! What first influenced me to write in general is what still influences me to write now – it’s not any sort of influence as such, just the need to write. I’ve always written about things that I’m going through that are difficult. I’m not good at talking about my feelings so I write them down instead. In my first book I fictionalised growing up, being a teenager, the death of my father, friendships, music. This poetry collection is all about me having Multiple Sclerosis, being a mother, being gay, being in and getting over a violent relationship, making mistakes.

Don’t miss this last minute opportunity to enter the PENfro writing competitions. 

The PENfro Book Festival is now in its eighth year and the popularity of our writing competitions continues to grow. Entering competitions, daring to dip your toe into the water and compete with others, encourages writers to hone and develop their work. The benefits are obvious. Not only might you win a nice cash prize, or – better still – some professional editorial help, but you’re also taking steps to put your work out into the world. Whether it’s a poem, a play or the beginnings of a novel, entering a competition is great way to honour your work.

This year they have three writing competitions: their ever-popular poetry competition, a first chapter competition and a short radio drama competition. 

The extended deadlines are: First chapter to July 29, poetry and radio drama till 15 August. Enter via the web site: https://penfrobookfestival.org.uk

The keen, passionate, yet dreamy voice of Sophie McKeand drifts out of the speakers as she recites her poems 'Morning Prayer' and 'Dharma.'

North Welsh poet and performer Sophie McKeand went to the Bengali Region in India in 2017 as part of the cultural exchange program “The Valley, The City, The Village.”

Listen to the full recording on Soundcloud.

'Susie Wild’s Better Houses announces a new, highly distinctive and exciting poetic voice. [...] The author’s balance between opening the door for the reader, and then hitting them with the poem’s highly original approach to language and a slightly slant way of looking at the world, make these poems highly entertaining and rewarding. [...] an accomplished and auspicious debut...' – Jonathan Edwards, Ink Sweat & Tears Buy Better Houses from Parthian for £8.99 About Better Houses: This lively first collection from Susie Wild introduces a poet with a nomadic spirit. She tramps with humour, love, and loss across the UK, even...