Amy Jo Philip
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The new issue of Irish Pages, entitled Memory, has just arrived today. It includes work by Michael Longley and Wendell Berry as well as a substantial contribution by David Kinloch. It also happens to be the first issue which I have had some editorial input, my contribution on that side being a beautiful poem by
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I’ve generated a Wordle of The North End of the Possible. Here it is for your entertainment (click on the image to see it full size): It’s quite appealing, don’t you think? The muckle name in the middle is no surprise, and I love the way that “now” is tucked in the C of “Mac”,
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I was shocked and saddened, like the Scottish literary world in general, to learn back in February that Gavin Wallace, the head of literature at Creative Scotland, had died. I didn’t know Gavin well, but I can say with certainty that The North End of the Possible would not be the book it is without the
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It has been on my mind to blog about the Newcastle trip and the book launch, but I’ve been tied up this past week writing this review of John F Deane’s selected poems, Snow Falling on Chestnut Hill. It’s the first review I’ve written for a few years, but I enjoyed the experience. I’d be
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It’s exactly a week until the launch of The North End of the Possible and Rob A Mackenzie’s The Good News at the Scottish Poetry Library! If you’re within striking distance of Edinburgh on Saturday 4 May, come on down for 1:00 pm to savour some readings from me and Rob, enjoy a glass of
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A quick post to remind anyone withing striking distance of Newcastle that I’m reading from The North End of the Possible at the Lit & Phil on Monday evening. The event is free — which leaves you free to spend your pennies on a sparkling, hot-of-the-press copy of the book — and starts at 7:00pm.
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Just over a fortnight ago, I received the following message from Claire Askew: For nearly a year, as well as doing my teaching job, I’ve also been doing some work with an organisation called Women Supporting Women. WSW is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides resources and services to vulnerable women and girls in Edinburgh.
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I’m delighted to see that Rob A Mackenzie’s new book The Good News has also been given four stars — well, they use dots, actually — on The List website. Click over and read the review, then be sure to order a copy of the book. It’s a cracker. Of course, you’ll be able to
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What a week it has been! The retreat, the review and almost the revealing of the new book. And, to boot, the sun was blazing all day yesterday. I returned home on Sunday from the retreat tired and not exhausted but enriched. It felt like a significant weekend in ways that are hard to articulate
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What a delight to find not only that the first review of The North End of the Possible has gone live on the website of The List but that it’s a four-star verdict! I’m particularly pleased that the reviewer, Colin Begg, says, “Humour and invention are mainstays of Philip’s work”. Those aspects were overlooked a
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You can now download the Scots glossary for The North End of the Possible from the Writing page on this website or directly from this link.
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This week, I’m busy preparing for a poetry retreat I’m leading at Nether Springs, the mother house of the Northumbria Community, this weekend coming (12 to 14 April). I’m excited about this because it’s the first extended opportunity I’ve had to put together poetry and spirituality. My previous visits to Nether Springs — always as
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Irish Pages invites you to a 10th anniversary celebration at Summerhall in Edinburgh on Saturday coming. Expect an evening of traditional music, revelry, mayhem and craic, including brief entertainments by Irish and Scottish writers and, of course, a cash bar. Download the pdf invitation here.
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Oh, is it really more than a month since I last posted?! How time flies when you’re preparing the next book and an online course for the Poetry School! Still, it’s good, thoroughly enjoyable, rewarding busyness, that. Anyway, if anyone is still here — perhaps you’re appreciating the contents of the cupboards; I hope so
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Poet and fiction writer Emma Lee tagged me in this internet meme. I’m answering about The North End of the Possible, as it is certainly the next big thing in my writing life! Where did the idea come from for the book? As I think is common with many poetry collections, the idea grew out
Amy Jo Philip 