Maureen Weldon will be launching her very beautiful Poetry Space collection, Midnight Robin, at Stanley Palace, Watergate Street, Chester this evening – Saturday 15th November from 7 to 9 pm. If you are in the area do come along. Maureen has already previewed the book at a festival in Kiev recently to wide acclaim. • Read more…

A poem from Susan Jane Sims

There will be an opportunity to hear Sylvia Perry read from her beautiful collection A Kindness, in Bristol on Friday November 7th. Sylvia is to be guest poet at Can Openers (Foyles Bookshop, Quakers Friars). This is a regular monthly lunchtime event from 12 to 1.30 on the first Friday of every month and presented by Claire Williamson. Do come along if you can to meet Sylvia and bring a poem yourself if you would like to read in the open mic

Friday November 7th. St James Wine Vaults, Bath, 7.30pm. Flowers in the Blood (book launch) with Beverley Ferguson and Susan Jane Sims. A chance to hear Beverley reading poems from her brand new collection, supported by Susan revisiting her 2010 collection Irene’s Daughter. The event is at St James Wine Vaults in Bath and starts at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome.

The Book of Love and Loss at Bristol’s Arnolfini on Tuesday 4th November. Leading poets and contributors, Penelope Shuttle, Tim Liardet and Ann Drysdale, as well as joint editors R V Bailey and June Hall will be at the launch, reciting and discussing their poignant and powerful poems on the complex themes of love and • Read more…

A heartfelt letter to poets from John Siddique to mark the launch of our sixth annual, international poetry competition.

The Book of Love and Loss at Bristol’s Arnolfini on Tuesday 4th November. Leading poets and contributors, Penelope Shuttle, Tim Liardet and Ann Drysdale, as well as joint editors R V Bailey and June Hall will be at the launch, reciting and discussing their poignant and powerful poems on the complex themes of love and • Read more…

I have just had news of some competitions from Sentinel poet that might be of interest, all closing fairly soon:   SENTINEL LITERARY QUARTERLY POETRY AND SHORT STORY COMPETITIONS (NOVEMBER 2014)   SENTINEL LITERARY QUARTERLY SHORT STORY COMPETITION For original, previously unpublished short stories in English language on any subject, in any style up to • Read more…

Week 35 – a new photograph to inspire you this week

Week 33 – The winner is Shirley Wright with Defunct! Thanks to Chris O’Connell for the stunning photograph!

Poetry Space is delighted to announce that John Siddique will be judging its annual international poetry competition in 2015.

Week 32 – the winning poem was Blue Earth, Green Light by Lizzie Ballagher.

Read the top three poems and a full list of highly commended and runner up poems all selected by Alison Brackenbury from the 223 submitted in this bumper year!

Poetry Space Competition 2014 closed for entries on June 30th and the 223 poems were all read by Alison Brackenbury.

The top three winners are:

1st: Glen Wilson – For Want of a better word

2nd: Robin Muers – He’s settled in quite well

3rd: Angie Butler ‘Son, you’re 42’

Week 25 – a new photograph to respond to.

Poems written in response to week 22 of the photo and poem challenge

Poems written in response to Week 23 – photo and poem challenge

A small prize for the winning poets in the photo and poem challenge so far.

Read the winning poem and all the entries again for week 17

Week 18 – photo and poem challenge. Photograph by Ira Joel Haber.

Sylvia Perry at The Hours Cafe and Bookshop in Brecon ahead of the St David’s Day launch of her brand new collection, A Kindness, published by us here at Poetry Space.

Walking On – 18 poets from the Bath Poetry Cafe showcase their work on Friday 28th February 11am – 4pm Bath Central Library. The event is part of The Bath Independent Literary Festival and is entirely free.

Photo and poem challenge – Week 11

Beverley Ferguson, winner of the first Poetry Space Competition in 2010, considers the transformative role of poetry in her life

Enjoy a writing day in Frome with Kate McKewan

Rave reviews for Catching Light by Margaret Eddershaw – coming out this week! This collection is being launched at L’Osteria 57, Gray’s inn Rd, London. Do come along. Free wine and finger food.

LINEN HALL LUNCHTIME READINGS Friday 15 November 2013 1.00pm – 2.30pm (Free) Hear established and emerging voices in poetry. Plus – open mic opportunity (one poem per person) With Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Eilish Martin and Erin Halliday. http://biromums.wordpress.com/?p=64&preview=true

Poetry Space Competition 2014 : Read Alison Brackenbury’s thoughts on judging this competition as it enters its 5th year.

Week One – Poetry and Photo challenge – Your opportunity to vote for the winning poem.

Submission call: Coffee table – Words and Photo challenge WEEK ONE

Hip hop, laughter and therapy – all explored at Lapidus weekend conference.

Poetry Space launch of anthology Through a Child’s Eyes at this Summer’s Penzance Festival.

Poetry Space International Poetry Competition reaches the age of five in 2014 and will be judged by poet and broadcaster, Alison Brackenbury.

Poetry event with Rose Flint and Graham Hartill.

Includes special guests Ted Bowman from the US and poet Matt Harvey – Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October

The line up for Bristol Poetry Festival from 30th September to 11th October looks impressive this year. Amongst the performers are Rachael Boast winner of the  Forward Prize for Best First Collection in 2011, Louis de Bernieres, the best-selling author of the much loved Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Sir Andrew Motion, Prunella Scales (better known as Sybil from Fawlty • Read more…

Looking for some space and time to write away from your daily distractions then why not give this idea a go?

Poetry Space Competition 2013 – Martyn Crucefix reflects on his choices!

Poetry Space Competition 2013 – The Results and top three winning poets.

Poetry Space Competition 2013 – results coming very soon

Through a Child’s Eyes Launch at The Edge of The World!

Glastonbury book launch for Jo Waterworth

Sumnmer Showcase – poems by Neil Leadbeater, Moira Andrew, Antony Johae and Wendy French. Chosen by Margaret Eddershaw.

A Week of Good Poetry – Bath Poetry Cafe 10th – 15th June

Voices in the City – a free day of poetry at Bath Central Library with 28 poets from Bath, Bristol and surrounding areas.