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”
Tag Archives: @poetrybusiness
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”
Minx – Birthday Girl!
It seems incredible that a year ago today my debut collection, Minx, was launched upon an unsuspecting world. April 8th is International Romani Day, an auspicious start for a collection celebrating the cultural history and diversity of the Roma. The venue was the London Review Bookshop where I first saw my pamphlet, Didicoy, in aContinue reading “Minx – Birthday Girl!”
Deptford Literature Festival
Mother Tongue, Poetry, Family and Inheritance, Saturday 28 March. Just one week until this fabulous event. I’ll be sharing the stage with three wonderful poets, Sarah Howe, and Erica Hesketh, hosted by writer and critic April Yee. We’ll be reading from our latest collections, exploring themes of matrilineage and family, reflecting on how they nourishContinue reading “Deptford Literature Festival”
John Pollard Foundation International Poetry Prize Shortlist 2026
Minx by Karen Downs-Barton is shortlisted for the John Pollard Foundation International Poetry Prize 2026
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”
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”
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.
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”
Karen Downs-Barton 