Northern Poetry Showcase and Roadshow

 Hello!

 I had an enjoyable night performing at the Northern Poetry Showcase and Roadshow at York St John University. I was invited as one of the five 2017-18 New North Poets, and read three of my poems to an attentive audience. 

 It has been a whirlwind year since I won my Northern Writers' Award. I have been mentored by Clare Pollard, attended two writing retreats , been published in GASP, and felt my poems strengthen. The Showcase was a cosy and fun way to celebrate the journey we New North Poets have been on.

 Thank you to the Poetry School, New Writing North, and everyone else who has supported my writing.

 Liz x

GASP by the New North Poets

 Hello!

 As you may know, I was announced as a New North Poet at the 2017 Northern Writers' Awards, which was one of my proudest achievements. 

 Part of the prize was working with The Poetry School, Clare Pollard and the other four fabulous winners - Jasmine, Maria, Michael and Rosa - to create an anthology. GASP is now here, and is free to read online. 

 I hope you enjoy my four poems: "Blood ghazal", "León", "Pilot" and "Missing Leo". If "León" and "Missing Leo" inspire you to learn more about my travels in Spain, check out my travel blog posts on León and Salamanca.

 Thank you to everyone who has supported my writing.

 Liz x

Second Highgreen Arts residential

 Hello!

 As a winner of the New North Poets Prize at last year's Northern Writers' Awards, I was invited to take part in two residentials at Highgreen Arts, in rural Northumberland. The first residential was in September; the second was last week. I had a really enjoyable and memorable time there.

 Highgreen is an elegant and comfy old manor house. The five New North Poets and our mentor, Clare Pollard, spent many an hour sitting around the fire doing writing activities and discussing and reading poetry. We also had a full-day workshop with the poet Antony Dunn, which was very useful.

 I walked a lot, and found the local nature calming and inspiring. We enjoyed delicious veggie food and divine desserts - apple crumble, chocolate brownie, poached pear. We had lightning one night, which in the total darkness of the countryside was very dramatic. I would later write a poem about it.

 Overall, it was a lovely weekend in great company. I hope to do more residentials in the future.

 Liz x

Northern Writers' Awards 2017

 Hello!

 I am extremely happy to have been announced as a winner in the New North Poets section of the Northern Writers' Awards. The ceremony, on Thursday night at Northumbria University, was a really lovely evening of food, writing and celebration.

 Receiving such a prestigious award is amazing. I'm greatly looking forward to my prize, which is a year of mentoring with The Poetry School and Clare Pollard. I'm also excited to get to know the four other poets chosen. The next year looks to be a great one for me creatively.

 Many thanks to everyone who has read and enjoyed my writing over the years, and congratulations to all of the award-winners.

 Liz x