Tag Archives: #poetryfromthemargins

Minx in the Guardian

I’m excited to share news that Minx has featured in The Best Recent Poetry – review roundup by Philip Terry in the Guardian. Philip says of: Minx This assured debut takes us into the heart of a precarious Anglo-Romany childhood on the edge of urban society, where casual bar work easily slips into casual sexContinue reading “Minx in the Guardian”

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”

Minx with Blackbird Feathers

I’m posting my weekly update about Minx and her travels a little early as I’ll be on some travels myself midweek. I wanted to share Pascale Petit’s generous words about her with you.  ‘Every poem in Minx is an enthralling read. Karen Downs-Barton’s gifts are a combination of compelling subjects from a brutal childhood and exquisite formalContinue reading “Minx with Blackbird Feathers”

From Poems to Pamphlet

22 January 2025 – 12 February 2025, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (UK), £40.00, Online. LAST THREE PLACES I’m delighted to announce that I will be running a series of four workshops for Creative Future focusing on ways to move beyond a group of poems to a successful pamphlet. The course is designed to exploreContinue reading “From Poems to Pamphlet”

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”

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”

How it Started

I was thrilled to receive the first copies of How it Started yesterday morning. My poetry sequence ‘Framed by Woodgrain’ is a silver award winner in the poetry category. I’ve been enjoying a wonderful Sunday afternoon with a cup of coffee reading all the other incredible entries. Well done to all those who took part,Continue reading “How it Started”

Creative Future Silver Winner

I’m absolutely delighted to announce that my poetry sequence Framed by Woodgrain has won the silver award in the 2022 Creative Future competition. Even more thrilling, the judge was Joelle Taylor, winner of the 2022 T.S.Elliot prize. I’ll be reading my sequence at the London Literary Festival as part of the Creative Future Awards Showcase,Continue reading “Creative Future Silver Winner”

Shortlisted for the Creative Futures Writers’ Award

I’m delighted to have been shortlisted for the Creative Futures Writers’ Award with my poem Framed by Woodgrain. Congratulations to my fellow shortlistees! The award nominees are a wonderfully diverse group of writers, both poets and prose writers, and I’m looking forward to hearing them reading in London in October.