I’m super excited to announce that Minx has made it into the pages of the Guardian newspaper as one of Rishi Dastidar’s ‘Best Poetry of 2025’. Here’s what Rishi had to say about her… ‘Karen Downs‑Barton’s debut /Minx/ (Chatto & Windus) was similarly eye-catching, unsparingly detailing both the poet’s time in the care system, and theContinue reading “Minx in the Guardian”
Category Archives: Minx Poetry Collection
A New Form for National Poetry Day
I’m delighted to announce that Ink Sweat and Tears has published my poem Gone Not Gone on International Poetry Day. This years theme is PLAY and the poem not only features the wonders of the infinite inventiveness of children in a form that ‘plays’ with the use of language.
Minx at Edinburgh International Book Festival
I’m excited to share that next week I’ll be at #EdBookFest, in conversation with the lovely Shasta Hanif Ali about what it means to belong, and how exploring belonging is at the core of Minx. Expect the unexpected in this conversation that looks at the quirks of language, mining archives for rootedness, and creating newContinue reading “Minx at Edinburgh International Book Festival”
Friday at Ledbury Poetry Festival
It’s just four days until Ruth Padel and I take to the stage at the Burgage Hall in Ledbury. We’ll be reading from our books, discussing female mythologies and how poetry creates a unique space for reconfiguring ideas of what it is to be female. Join us online or in person… and if you canContinue reading “Friday at Ledbury Poetry Festival”
Minx on The Verb
Yesterday I was at Media City to record a session for BBC Radio 4’s much loved The Verb hosted by Ian McMillan. It was fantastic to read three poems from Minx, explore a neon line from Faroese poetry, hear about activism through ‘poetry bombs,’ and meet Naz, poet in residence at Luton FC. The programContinue reading “Minx on The Verb”
Foyles New Romani Writing: Damian Le Bas, Karen Downs-Barton, Madeline Potter, Chaired by Bidisha
Join poets, travel writers and academics at Foyles for a discussion chaired by Bidisha on Romani culture and contemporary Romani writing. Wednesday 28th May, 7-8.30pm. Tickets: £10 General Admission / £8 Foyalty Member Venue: The Auditorium (Level 6) at Foyles, 107 Charing Cross Road* doors open 6.45.
Minx featured on Louise Wilford’s Showcase
I was honoured to be invited to be interviewed by Louise Wilford for her literary blog recently. There were questions that took us to some wonderfully diverse areas including portable writing spaces, cocktail alchemy, how to ‘get into poetry’, plus of course sharing poems from Minx and how they came into being. The interview isContinue reading “Minx featured on Louise Wilford’s Showcase”
Launch Day
I’m sending out a massive ‘Thank You’ to all the lovely people who came to @lrbbookshop on Tuesday evening to celebrate #Minx and launch her into the world.
Minx Launch Day
I woke up this morning full of the joys of Collection Launch Day. Yes, Minx finds herself moving out into the wide world as of this morning. I hope she finds a home on your hands, hearts, and shelves.
Minx with Blackbird Feathers
I’m posting my weekly update about Minx and her travels a little early as I’ll be on some travels myself midweek. I wanted to share Pascale Petit’s generous words about her with you. ‘Every poem in Minx is an enthralling read. Karen Downs-Barton’s gifts are a combination of compelling subjects from a brutal childhood and exquisite formalContinue reading “Minx with Blackbird Feathers”
Karen Downs-Barton 