The Launch of Flesh and Blood...

at Pallant House Gallery yesterday was a joy. Not a huge crowd came but actually the intimacy made for something really special. Thank you to everyone who attended both readings. It was lovely. I hope to return to PHG some time in the future.

October Readings

On Thursday 25th October, I'm launching "Flesh and Blood", the small group of poems commissioned by Gulbenkian prize-winning Pallant House Gallery in Chichester. These were poems written in response to works in the permanent collection by Sir Matthew Smith, Victor Willing and Richard Hamilton and the temporary installation Shell by Susie McMurray. Shell (whose tenure has been extended by popular demand) will be dismantled at the end of the month, so the reading is well-worth attending on the basis that this is the only chance to experience the poem together and the artwork that inspired it.

I'll be reading the Flesh and Blood poems in front of the artworks that inspired them, starting from 6pm. There is what might be described as strongly sensual content, so you might want to leave the children at home. The tickets are limited for this event, so it's worth booking ahead. For tickets and all enquiries contact Pallant House Gallery. Travellers from Brighton should know it's only £10 return by rail (the gallery is a 5-10 minute walk from the station).

And just a quick reminder that I'll be reading some poems at the Meeting House on University of Sussex campus at 5pm the previous week, Tuesday 16th, as part of the continuing Frogmore Papers 25th anniversary celebrations. Other readers include, I believe, the delectable Catherine Smith.

New Poems

Poems destined for Material are slowly making their way into the world. The sonnet Bad Mother has just been published in The Pedestal, and Driving Without Lights is coming out shortly in the summer issue of Poetry Review, Dreams of Elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Anvil have offered me a publication slot: summer 2008.

Sussex Readings this Autumn

The Frogmore Papers is 25 Years old this year, and I'll be joining in the celebrations by doing short sets at two local readings. Inbetween these two, I'll be doing a 50-minute slot for the Poetry Police at Forest Row, showcasing mostly new material.

Tuesday 11th September
Frogmore Papers 25th Anniversary Event
Komedia, Brighton
Reading with Judith Kazantzis, Clare Best & Rachel Playforth
Doors 7.30 for an 8pm start
£5/£4 concessions & Friends of the South/£3 Friends of the South concessions

Friday 14th September
Poetrypolice
Forest Row Community Centre, Hartfield Road, Forest Row RH18 5DY
First half is an open mic; second half is me. No license but you can bring your own booze.
Starts 7.30
Finishes 9.30
£5/£4 conc

Tuesday 16th October
Frogmore Papers 25th Anniversary Event
Meeting House, Sussex University Campus, Falmer
Reading with other poets that have been published in the Frogmore Papers over the years.
Starts 5pm