Poetry RSS

Back in 2012, I was asked to design and run a blog-writing course for a community organisation in South Wales. Although I was no expert, I said yes! and started reading blogs every day to prepare. I loved the versatility of this form and feeling connected to people through their posts. It wasn’t long before I decided to start my own blog, Collecting Words, where I shared my experiences as an American writer living in Wales. I posted about the ups and downs of freelance projects, celebrated successes and included lots of poems and photos.

Since then, my little blog has changed enormously—existing now as a part of my professional website. I still read blogs on everything from true crime and British history to funeral directing and PhD life. However, the blogs I return to most are about books. I love finding out what people are reading and seeing the transformative power of literature in action. Perhaps this is why I am so excited to take part in my first blog tour for one of my own books

'This is profound poetry, spiritual and wise and while engaging with difficult themes (life often being a difficult business) it does so with grace and some humour.'

Read the review in full on Wales Arts Review

We had a lovely evening of poetry and music at The Cellar Bards. Thanks to Penny Thomas for providing the atmospheric pop-up venue change at Quay Street Studios with their plush red curtains and stage on Friday night! Thanks also to all of you who who came along to hear us, share your own creativity and buy books... Here are some snaps Ben Wildsmith took for us:

Jackie, queen of ceremonies at Cellar Bards, Cardigan, reading her poetry.

Kittie, inspiring coat envy in all as she reads from her debut collection Sliced Tongue and Pearl Cufflinks.

Pensive Susie, reading from her debut collection Better Houses.

Rhys Owain Williams has selected five influential poetry books for The Poetry Question.  First up...  Mean Time – Carol Ann Duffy We studied this collection during my final year of secondary school, and these were the first poems I read that made me want to read poetry for pleasure, not just to pass an exam. I was recently given a new clean copy, replacing the one I’d scribbled over when I studied it at school, and so I’ve been enjoying re-reading some old favourites with their white space restored. Read his full selection on their website Rhys Owain Williams is...