It’s always a great feeling when an editor responds with news that a poem(s) you submitted, usually weeks, but sometimes months, earlier has been accepted.

And when it’s a favourite publication like Prole, it’s even better.

And when it’s your fourth appearance, it’s hard to put into words how brilliant it feels. It’s a welcome boost in my case as I’ve not written many poems this year and have been busy focusing on my forthcoming Yaffle Press pamphlet ‘Quotidian’ and helping to organise the inaugural 2019 Wirral Poetry Festival.

I’m so grateful to editors Brett Evans and Phil Robertson and look forward to receiving another issue filled with quality poetry and prose.

It was an honour to perform as part of the Yaffle Press launch in the wonderful surroundings of Chapel FM in Leeds on Saturday 23 March.

And I’m delighted to share news that Yaffle will be publishing my first poetry pamphlet ‘Quotidian’ in June.

It was a memorable night. Click to watch the launch, recorded live at Chapel FM studios. My reading begins at 45.09 minutes with an introduction by Yaffle editor and poet Michael Farren.

My partner Scottie and I are so grateful to Gill Lambert and Mark Connors for their kind hospitality. It was a real treat to stay over, chat into the early hours and continue over a sumptuous breakfast next day!

Absolutely delighted that my poem ‘Knockoff’ has been published by the wonderful Claire Walker and Holly Magill at Atrium Poetry, most definitely one of my favourite poetry sites. And thrilled beyond belief to have been published there for a 3rd time.

Absolutely delighted that my poem ‘Melt’ has been awarded 2nd prize in the Yaffle Press Competition. Congratulations to everyone else who received prizes and commendations. Look out for ‘Whirlagust’, an anthology of poems from the competition, due to be published soon.

https://www.yafflepress.co.uk/

Absolutely thrilled my poem poem ‘Every Day Is Race Day’ is in the Here Comes Everyone “Rituals” issue, a wonderful collection of poems, short stories, visual art and articles. Grateful thanks to Raef Boylan, Matthew Barton and the rest of the HCE team.

Delighted my (aptly-titled) poem ‘Fox’ is up at the Foxglove Journal. Grateful thanks to Elizabeth Gibson.

My poem ‘Terminal’ is up at the wonderful Nine Muses Poetry today. Grateful thanks to editor Annest Gwilym.

Delighted to see my poem ‘Of All The Things’ up at Amaryllis Poetry. It is tribute of sorts to some musical heroes of mine including my favourite male vocalist of all time, the late great Marvin Gaye. Many thanks to editor Stephen Daniels.

Delighted my poem ‘Seventeen Minutes Of Solstice Sun’ is included in Three Drops From A Cauldron Midwinter Special. Delighted also to feature for the second year running alongside another terrific line-up. Big thanks to Kate Garrett and her Three Drops editorial team. To read my poem click here.

 Delighted to feature once again in the The Writers’ Cafe Magazine edited by the wonderful Marie Lightman. This issue is a cracking selection of poems and short stories on the theme of “Frost and Dew”. Follow the link here if you’d like to take a peek at my poems ‘Winter’s Teeth’ and ‘Death and Resurrection’.