Tessa Foley

Huge congratulations to Katrina Porteous, who is the 2025 Laurel Prize winner. 🌿

In our Forward Prizes 2025 How I Did It series, Isabelle Baafi reflects on writing ‘Piggy’ from her debut Chaotic Good — a contrapuntal poem born from horror, double consciousness & the search for truth.

Read her story: poetryschool.com/how...

Fellow @poetryschool.bsky.social MA student Charlotte Dormandy for @inksweatandtears.co.uk on the @poetrysociety.org.uk #nationalpoetryday theme of 'Play', selected by @cloudscholar.bsky.social. The best short poems Every nook in this opens into big questions. inksweatandtears.co.uk/play-for-nat...

I'll be reading at this next Mon 13 Oct with the @poetryschool.bsky.social MA fam past and present, including Sarah Gibbons
and Glyn Maxwell. Free, no need to book - books for sale, though! Or here: www.redsquirrelpress.com/product-page...

Watching ‘Banned in the eighties’ doc featuring a sensational performance of ‘Two Tribes’ but it reminds me that Holly Johnson ruined my life. I saw that ‘Relax’ video as a kid and I thought growing up would be brilliant. Adulthood and in particular, nightclubs were a real fucking disappointment.

@creationtheatre.bsky.social in Oxford are looking for a new General Manager. Applications close Mon 6 Oct, please email recruitment@creationtheatre.co.uk

Background image shows an open notebook and pen on a wooden table. The text reads: Publishing Your Work - October 2025, Poetry & Writing Submissions - Journals, Competitions, Bursaries, Residencies. www.thisiswordbox.com

Over 160 calls for literary competitions & submissions including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art, photography, & more - contests, literary journals, residencies, bursaries etc - open or with deadlines in October 2025. Please share & best of luck!
www.thisiswordbox.com/wordbox-blog...

Ok so who else is going?

Joelle Taylor’s Maryville charts the lives of four butch lesbians through five decades of underground queer history; tracing the culture, clubs and resistance that shaped their world.

www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/joe...

#poetry #poetrycollection

Thrilled to be Commended in #nationalpoetryday Stanza comp. I wrote it for @tessafoley.bsky.social in a @poetryschool.bsky.social MA workshop with Joelle Taylor. Congrats Marilyn Longstaff, runners-up Nairn Kennedy & Jack Houston & other Commended poets. I'll be reading at the Poetry Cafe tonight!

Join us in Kent this month for @tessafoley.bsky.social as Guest Reader at the Queens Arms.

Just a reminder that the Cafe Writers International poetry competition is open. Our wonderful (sole) judge this year is Jessica Mookherjee. Top prize is £1000 www.cafewriters.co.uk/home/poetry-...

Petition: Do not introduce Digital ID cards We demand that the UK Government immediately commits to not introducing a digital ID cards. There are reports that this is being looked at.

petition.parliament.uk/signatures/1...

Oxford launch of 'Crippled' Fri 14 Nov 5.45pm. Huge thanks to @kebleoxford.bsky.social for use of the HB Allen Lecture Theatre. Guest readers @tessafoley.bsky.social & Sarah Gibbons from @poetryschool.bsky.social MA. Copies www.redsquirrelpress.com/product-page/crippled-suzanna-fitzpatrick or DM me.

Waterloo Station smelt of coconut ice today.

We were glad to hear the Laurel Prize shortlist readings in Bradford last night. Congratulations to this year’s winner Katrina Porteous for Rhizodont @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social announced by Chair of judges Kathleen Jamie @poetryschool.bsky.social

thanks to everyone involved in making the Laurel Prize ceremony at the BBC Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford last evening such a joyful occasion. congratulations to Katrina Porteous, whose Rhizodont is really something special. we both read poems about fossils. what a night!

Laurel Prize ceremony live-stream starting today at 5.30pm (BST)

💻: poetryschool.com/lau...

🌍 Announcing our 2025 Laurel Poet-in-Residence!

We’re thrilled to welcome Manisha Dhesi, who will join the Laurel Prize weekend + write a commissioned eco-themed poem.

Carol Watts – Laurel Prize: Below the Surface 🌍

On Mimic Pond:
“Poetry has always been a place I go to. From childhood rhythms of prayer + countryside, through Wordsworth, Clare, Riley + Niedecker—poems began to pour out in sequences.”

🔗 Full piece: poetryschool.com/lau...

I don't think Peter Mandelson is PM's biggest problem. The biggest problem is not standing up to the literal violent racism on our streets, supercharged by the richest man in the world, and threatening the very fabric of our society. If he and so many commentators can't see this, we're truly lost.

Fireworks in a dark sky Over the words 2024 anthology reading & announcement of prizewinner.

LIVE CANON 2025 COMPETITION ANTHOLOGY & PRIZEWINNER ANNOUNCEMENT EVENT
7.30PM THURSDAY 23RD OCTOBER

Join us online for a reading of the shortlist for this prestigious prize & an announcement of the winner by guest judge, Nina Murray.
Book here: shorturl.at/hHQnM
#poetrycompetition #poetrycommunity

A Poetry Award That Puts Poets First – And You Can Make It Happen - The Broken Spine Poets deserve more than empty prestige. They deserve real recognition, real opportunities, and real support. That is why I am launching The Broken Spine

We are absolutely desperate for support. We’re throwing our own funds into this, giving up our time for free, and running workshops to raise money. But without £5,000, this award won’t happen. If you can give, please do. 🔗

Amy Lilwall: "The fun starts when you have a full draft and the editing begins. It’s like building a house, then placing the furniture inside it." A chat with Amy Lilwall about her book, The Water That May Come (Fly on the Wall Press, 2025)How would you describe The Water That May Come in one sentence? The Water That May Come is a book about rel...

New on my blog, an interview with the very talented Amy Lilwall @amylilwall.bsky.social about her fantastic new book, 'The Water That May Come', with @flyonthewallpress.bsky.social - please have a read and share
www.samszanto.com/post/amy-lil...

DEADLINE TOMORROW!

Background image shows an open notebook with pen on a wooden table. Text reads: Publishing Your Work - September 2025, Poetry & Writing Submissions - Journals, Competitions, Bursaries, Residencies. www.thisiswordbox.com

Over 150 calls for literary competitions & submissions including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art, photography, & more - contests, literary journals, residencies, bursaries etc - open or with deadlines in September 2025. Please share & best of luck!

www.thisiswordbox.com/wordbox-blog...

Black cat lying on his side

From THE SHADOW PRINCE

You’ve dreamt of him, good-looking gargoyle peering
from garden wall, he moulded every mortal fear
In to a single look and told you he’d already written your story,

(Inspired by my pictured teenaged boy, Doug Fruitbat Angel-Eyes Chunk Berlin Jones Antonio Piranha.)

A hillside and river with words ‘poetry feedback’ dancing down the horizon

Would you like feedback on your poetry?

Take part in intimate online group for guidance from our director Dr Helen Eastman.

7pm on Tue, 7 Oct 2025

The session will have a max of 6 poets, each bringing 2 poems.

Limited places - book now!
shorturl.at/pOe4n

#poetry #poetrycommunity

Maxine Peake playing Mrs Mary Whitehouse

If there are ANY tickets left for this, I advise you to snap em up.

Standing ovation on the first night.

It’s feckin brilliant.

Caroline Bird’s THE LAST STAND OF MRS MARY WHITEHOUSE

nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/events/the-l...

Starring Maxine Peake and Samuel Barnett.

Mind blowing.

Three weeks today, at Riverhouse Barn in Walton on Thames, delighted to be reading with the wonderful Jill Abrams hosted by excellent poet, singer and tutor Katie Griffiths, plus open mic - do join us! link in comments.