Speak Your Truth

Saturday 23rd May, 2.00-4.00pmCalling all poets and poetry lovers based in Ireland! I’m delighted to announce that I will be reading and in conversation at Speak Your Truth at The Poetry Lounge, Waterford Gallery of Art, O’Connell Street, Waterford. The event is free… yes, totally free! Come along to hear Kerrie Hardie, Eoin Devereux andContinue reading “Speak Your Truth”

Karen Downs-Barton Wins the John Pollard International Poetry Prize

I’m beyond delighted to be able to share news that I won the John Pollard International Poetry Prize. I’d like to thank Dr Linda Doyle and Trinity College Dublin, Stephen Vernon and the John Pollard Foundation, the lovely judges Professor Eoin McNamee, Una Mannion, and Seán Hewitt for welcoming me and this bestowing this wonderfulContinue reading “Karen Downs-Barton Wins the John Pollard International Poetry Prize”

Swindon Literature Festival

Join me with poets Zoe Brooks and Chris Horton at Lower Shaw Farm for the Swindon Literature Festival’s POETS THREE event. We’ll be talking all things poetry and reading from our recent book releases. Poets Three: KAREN DOWNS-BARTON, ZOE BROOKS, and CHRISTOPHER HORTON Presented in association with Poetry Swindon Prize-winning poet Karen Downs-Barton PhD isContinue reading “Swindon Literature Festival”

Minx and Magma

A whole year after my little Minx was launched upon an unsuspecting world it was a joy to find a review of her in Magma magazine. The lovely Aoife Lyall (@aoife_lyall) gave a very thoughtful review alongside Rosamund Taylor’s Filly and Teresa Lola’s Ceremony for the Nameless. It was lovely to be alongside two poetsContinue reading “Minx and Magma”

Soho Poly Poetry

I’m delighted to share that I’ll be appearing at Soho Poly Poetry on Thursday 12th March alongside Erica Hesketh, Nick Makoha, and Wayne Holloway-Smith. I’ll be reading from Minx and I’ve popped an overview of this stellar lineup below. Tickets available through Eventbrite don’t miss the write about this stellar event below. Join us atContinue reading “Soho Poly Poetry”

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”

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.

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.