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 – 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!”

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”