Amy Jo Philip
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The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010 and sent a a high-level summary of its overall blog health. I thought it might make a nicely self-indulgent start to 2011, not least because I’m a bit on the wabbit side to think of much else to post at the…
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There’s a rather lovely wee post about this coming Tuesday’s reading over Ryan’s blog. He’s too kind, especially in rewarding me a Forward nomination I’ve never had! I’m really looking forward to this reading too. I’ve read with Ryan a few times now, but this is the first event we’ve done just the two of…
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I seem to have been nothing but a silo blogger of late, when I’ve been a blogger at all. So much to catch up on, so little time and energy — so much to do! Anyway, it’s all good — or at least any of it that interest you is, dear reader, provided you’re still…
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Today is the centenary of Norman MacCaig‘s birth and, later today, I’ll be reading a new poem partly inspired by MacCaig’s “New Maps and Old” at the Poetry at the GVR MacCaig 100 celebration. MacCaig is an important figure for me. I credit having read him for Higher English with nudging me into writing poetry…
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Here’s the full poetry and fiction line-up for this weekend’s Hidden Door. I think you’ll agree it’s a cracker: SATURDAY 23RD 15.00-15.45 Kona Macphee Ron Butlin David Coates 17.00-17.45 JL Williams Colin Will Kevin Williamson 19.00-19.45 Jane Flett Ericka Duffy Eleanor Rees Andrew Philip SUNDAY 24TH 15.00-15.45 Anita Govan James Picardo Kirsty Logan 17.00-17.45 Jane…
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It’s been a day of Impossible Journeys*. I’m sitting here basking in some of Paul Thomson‘s music to accompany Claire Askew‘s poem for the project, and I’ve also been absolutely loving Alastair Cook‘s film for my poem. All of which simply stokes my already considerable excitement about the fact it’s all going to come together…
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Hidden Door 2 approaches fast! I’m particularly excited about this one, as I’ve been putting together a fantastic — if I do say so myself — poetry and art project along with Dave Martin and Jane McKie. It’s called Impossible Journeys, it will thread through the venue and it involves 10 poets, including some leading…
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I can tell you there was none more surprised than I to find this afternoon that The Ambulance Box is not only still in Salt’s current Top 10 bestsellers but has bounced merrily into the top 5 at number 3, coming up just behind Philip Gross’s children’s poetry book, Off Road to Everywhere. In the…
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Congratulations are in order for another Salt poet and friend, Tony Williams, whose book The Corner of Arundel Lane and Charles Street has been shortlisted for this year’s Aldeburgh prize! I wish Tony all the best for it. The Corner … is an absolutely cracking collection and would be a deserving winner. (The full shortlist…
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Unfortunately, the 4 October reading in Newcastle has had to be cancelled due to venue problems. However, the reading at the Lit & Phil on 24 November is certainly still on. I’m very much looking forward to reading there. Closer to home, I’ll also be reading alongside Ryan Van Winkle at Morningside Library on 23…
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Being Notice of a few Readings and Workshops coming soon to a Town possibly — hopefully — somewhere near you. On Monday 4 October, I’ll be in Newcastle reading alongside Rob A Mackenzie and Red Squirrel Press poets Kevin Cadwallender, Tom Kelly, Eleanor Livingstone and Alistair Robinson. It’s part of Red Squirrel week and is likely to take…
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There’s only one place left on my Poetry School Online course and one more week before it goes live. The first live chat tutorial isn’t until 11 October, but there will be an assignment to complete before then. I’m looking forward to it and can’t wait to find out who’s signed up! If you’re interested,…
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I’ve recently surprised myself by joining Twitter and quite enjoying it. You can find and follow me here. In fact, there’s a whole list of Salt authors on Twitter you can follow in one fell swoop.
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The entire poetry world is saddened to hear of Edwin Morgan’s death. I almost typed “the entire Scottish poetry world”, but Eddie Morgan was a true Scottish internationalist and his reach was global. Even that doesn’t sum him up. Morgan himself comes closest in the title of his collection From Glasgow to Saturn: from the…
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Good news for anyone who would have liked a space on my online Poetry School course on structure and form: apparently, it isn’t sold out. A technical glitch made some of last year’s students from another course appear to be enrolled, so there are still around eight spaces left. If you’re interested, simply go to…
Amy Jo Philip 