Dedicated publisher of fiction, poetry and memoir
This week, I have had the privilege of being one of the first people to read Jude Itakali's forthcoming book, Crossroads, due for release on 17 May 2021. It is a collection of poetry and prose-poems, combining many different poetic forms and traditions. It also contains several short stories in verse form. Jude blends all... Continue Reading →
Incontinent we come into this world;incontinent we leave it:defenceless, cradled inour mother’s arms. Trailing clouds of heavenstreaks of sunsetstreaming down the cheeksof those whose hearts we leave love-lorn. And those who find themselves unloved, incontinentare cradled in a heavenly embrace they left this world too soonor lingered, too-long lonelytheir footsteps arenot difficult to trace by One who... Continue Reading →
This simple but delicious recipe is healthy, nutritious and can be thrown together pretty quickly if you are organised about your preparation. I've been adding tofu to my recipes to up their protein content, as I struggle to eat large quantities of dairy products (I'm not vegan, but I do try to eat as many... Continue Reading →
The washing machine sloshes with a dim, somnolent hum, but that's not it. My heart pumps, blood also sloshes: if I close an ear, I can hear it. That's not it either. I draw breath, try to breathe the light, breathe out the darkness: is this it? Getting closer. Time spent in meditation is time... Continue Reading →
In 1964, the Bavski Potok river was dammed to prevent it from flooding, creating the Vanganel Reservoir, which is a peaceful and secluded spot popular with fly fishers, just outside of Koper. You can park at the village of Vanganel and take a short walk through the woods to come up on the dramatic wall... Continue Reading →
Next weekend marks the start of the May Day bank holiday in the UK, while in other parts of the world we celebrate International Workers' Day or Labour Day. In honour of this, and in recognition of the emergency on planet earth, I will be holding a Sonnet Sunday on 2 May on the theme... Continue Reading →
I have just had the pleasure of reading this short poetry collection by Rishika Jain of The Ethereal Unicorn. Rishika is 13 years old and has already ventured into the publishing world with this new book, a poetic celebration of her love of nature. The impression I came away with after finishing the book was... Continue Reading →
I’m a pest, I’m a pest, anapestically speakingfor I rhyme every timewithout pausing or breaking each monotonous linewith a flick of the keys:I can drone on for hourswriting stanzas like these; but I like a good metrethat’s as firm as it’s strongand as swiftly rememberedas your best-hated song; so will someone please stop mebefore I’m sent... Continue Reading →
My husband Jan is the real chef of the family. And sometimes he is kind enough to cook a vegetarian meal for me, despite the fact that he's a dedicated carnivore! Here's a delicious recipe for a curry he made at the weekend: Ingredients 8 cloves garlic (same quantity as ginger)Root ginger, same weight as... Continue Reading →
At liberty for the first time in my life:free to just drive and driveor dive into the sea; to live without fearno longer to carehow harshly you judge me. At libertyto stand alone upon a mountain top:I'll stand beside you should you careto join me but I do not fearto go my own way. At libertyfor the... Continue Reading →
Experiments in Fiction 