Can Spring be Far Behind? anthology ed. Janice Dempsey, Vole
The title of this anthology, published by Dempsey and Windle under their Vole imprint, is taken from Shelley’s ‘Ode to the West Wind’: “If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?” and the image on the front cover is from ‘Snow in Winter, 2010’, a painting by Janice Dempsey. Both the title and the painting speak to us of hope and the continuity of the seasons.
The anthology contains 48 poems by...
25th September 2025
'Poet laureate of Twitter' Brian Bilston quits Elon Musk's X
The popular poet Brian Bilston, who over the years built up such a huge social media following that he became known as the ‘poet laureate of Twitter’, has quit its successor platform X, which is owned by the billionaire Elon Musk.
Earlier this year he told an audience at Whitley Bay: “It’s a rea...
23rd September 2025
Small voices saying big things at Morecambe
This year Morecambe poetry festival extended its impact into schools with a visit to Castle View primary academy by Michael Rosen and by funding two days of workshops with poet Louise Fazackerley and ...
19th September 2025
‘A famished child peers through a bullet-hole’: Carol Ann Duffy’s poem about the Trump banquet - and Gaza
The former poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, has written a poem about US president Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain that compares the lavish menu at the ceremonial banquet at Windsor castle to the ...
18th September 2025
Exactly, Louise! Poet sees red over outbreak of St George’s flags
Some of you may have noticed St George’s flags sprouting on local lamp-posts, or daubed on mini-roundabouts. Maybe it’s made you angry. Or maybe you haven’t minded, or are even enthused by it. Perform...
13th September 2025
Strong line-up of events as BBC festival comes to Bradford
Contains Strong Language is the BBC’s annual celebration of poetry, performance and spoken word – and this year, it’s coming to Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
There’ll be four days of performanc...
13th September 2025
Beside the seaside ... Write Out Loud is going to Morecambe!
Write Out Loud is going to Morecambe poetry festival in September! To mark our regard for this fabulous festival combining top names and grassroots poets - and to celebrate our 20th anniversary year -...
2nd September 2025
How science show presenter Robin Ince turned to poetry
Comedian, actor and writer Robin Ince, who presents BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage science show with co-creator Professor Brian Cox, has published his first book of poetry. Ice Cream for a Bro...
2nd September 2025
Lode: Gillian Allnutt, Bloodaxe
London-born poet Gillian Allnutt spent half her childhood in Newcastle upon Tyne. She read philosophy and English at Cambridge and lived for the next 17 years mostly in London. In 1988 she returned to...
2nd September 2025
