Christmas is a great time for poetry, and as the shops are full, now, with Christmas paraphernalia, perhaps we should all be thinking about buying poetry books. When Poetry on Loan poets perform or run a workshop, they will nearly always take copies of their books to sell, usually at a lower price than you can get them elsewhere. If you have enjoyed someone's poetry, or found his or her workshop inspiring, why not buy a copy? Poetry books make great presents - although you'll probably want one for yourself.
So, what's going on in Poetry on Loan? We've had our competition winners. The winning poem has been on the front page of the website for a while now, and it's just been replaced with the winning poem in the junior section of the competition. Have a look - it's another fine winner!
We've got a number of events coming up, all worth attending:
21-Nov:Open mic with headline poet Roy McFarlane, at Wolverhampton Central Library
27-Nov: Our competition winner Anne Babbs will be appearing with postcard poets Jane Seabourne and Steve Pottinger at Bilston library, Wolverhampton, from 5pm to about 6pm
29-Nov: Richard O'Brien, Birmingham Poet Laureate, is at Weoley Castle library from 10:30 to 11;30
9-Dec: Poets Spoz and Brenda Read-Brown will be writing poems on demand for shoppers in John Lewis, in the centre of Birmingham, from 12:30 to 3
21-Dec: Poetry on demand with Jonny Fluffypunk, at Southwater Library, Telford, 10:30 - 14:30
There's lots more coming up after Christmas, too, but I'll be back before then.
I've got several poetry books on my shelves waiting to be read. At the moment I'm reading Toi et moi by Paul Géraldy, in French! It's taking me quite a while, but it's worth the effort. What are you reading?