Tag Archives: #diversevoices

Minx in the Guardian

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”

i Newspaper Article

Did you know that November is National Care Leavers month? It wasn’t well publicised but as an in-and-out resident of state childcare I was delighted to contribute this article to the i newspaper. I hope it goes some way to raising awareness of the changes taking place for young people in care and how simpleContinue reading “i Newspaper Article”

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”

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 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.

Local Minx

Imagine my joy when I searched the website of my local independent bookshop for poetry and found my own little Minx available for pre-order. Thank you Bert’s Books. I had an extra skip in my step all morning. Other local news this morning includes the blooming of the violets and primula’s, and the cormorant wasContinue reading “Local Minx”

Step Lightly Between the Wild Flowers

Just 10 days until my little Minx steps past the early ransoms, crocuses and last of the snowdrops, pushes open the doors of bookshops and finds new homes with poetry lovers. I’ve enjoyed hearing where her imminent arrival is being spoken about. I have been sent a copy of a books roundup by Tina Gaisford-WallerContinue reading “Step Lightly Between the Wild Flowers”

The Planets Aligning

I was honoured and moved by the words about Minx by Joelle Taylor when I read them on the books fly cover. ‘Minx is a splinter of a book, something that interrupts the body. It’s a beautiful violence, each page a shock of poetry that renders an underclass family vivid. Rich, delicate, and brutal. MinxContinue reading “The Planets Aligning”