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: Poetry from the margins.
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 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”
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.
Twixmas
Today, the zone betwixt Christmas and New Year, was a day of preparations for the launch of Minx by Chatto and Windus. Yes, I know she won’t skip into bookshops until March 20th but time is a dandelion clock in her hand and I know she’ll purse her lips and blow. To keep the seedsContinue reading “Twixmas”
Digital Launch: Book and Pamphlet Competition winners
A virtual event to celebrate Karen Downs-Barton, Luke Samuel-Yates, Jon Miller and Zoë Walkington. Join us as we celebrate these excellent new books from the four winners of the 2022 International Book & Pamphlet Competition. Tune into our special digital launch event for readings and discussion with Karen Downs Barton, Luke Samuel Yates, Jon Miller andContinue reading “Digital Launch: Book and Pamphlet Competition winners”
Didicoy, Poetry Reading at Cheltenham Poetry Festival
I’m delighted to be reading a selection of poems from my book, Didicoy, at the Cheltenham Poetry Festival event on Monday, July 31st alongside the fantastic Rachael Clyne. The event will be live-streamed at 7.30 and tickets are available via TicketSource (link also in image). Didicoy has been announced as the Poetry Book Society recommendationContinue reading “Didicoy, Poetry Reading at Cheltenham Poetry Festival”
Didicoy, a Poetry Book Society recommendation
I am beyond delighted to announce that the Poetry Book Society has chosen my book, Didicoy, in the summer recommended reading list. A massive ‘Thank you’ to the Poetry Book Society and my publishers Smith|Doorstop for their encouragement and belief in my work. Congratulations to my fellow recommendees, I’m honoured to be among you.
Karen Downs-Barton 