Author: jlwpoetry

Books by JL Williams include Condition of Fire (Shearsman, 2011), Locust and Marlin (Shearsman, 2014), House of the Tragic Poet (If A Leaf Falls Press, 2016), After Economy (Shearsman, 2017) and Origin (Shearsman, 2022). Published widely in journals, her poetry has been translated into numerous languages. She has read at international literature festivals and venues in the UK, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Turkey, Cyprus, Canada, Hungary, Romania, Montenegro and the US.

She wrote the libretto for the opera Snow which debuted in London in 2017, was awarded a bursary to develop a new opera with composer Samantha Fernando at the Royal Opera House and was a librettist for the award-winning 2020 covid-response Episodes project by The Opera Story. Williams curates writing events and creates workshops and professional development activities for poets. She is hopeful about the simple and mysterious power of poetry that allows us to know ourselves, each other and the world more deeply.

Poetry Poetry Poetry… and Aldeburgh!

What a busy time it has been lately! We had the grand reopening of the Scottish Poetry Library last week, and it is so nice to be back together in our beautiful new building. It has been especially fabulous to run some workshop sessions in our new dedicated workshop room, The Space. I also love…… Continue reading Poetry Poetry Poetry… and Aldeburgh!

Two Minute Manifesto

There’s a delicious collection of minds and hearts – David Greig (new Artistic Director of the Lyceum Theatre!), Zinnie Harris, Tiffany Jenkins, Dominic Hinde and Chrissy Barnacle – all on stage at the Traverse tomorrow night for the newest instalment of Two Minute Manifesto – and me doing a poem or two. Do join us!…… Continue reading Two Minute Manifesto

The Gap and The Bridge

And on the subject of recent publications, here is a link to an article I wrote for The Bottle Imp about The Unconveyable in poetry. Also you can find out more about StAnza’s collaboration with the Bridging the Continental Divide project for the translation of neo-Latin Scottish poetry, in which Scottish poets were commissioned to…… Continue reading The Gap and The Bridge

The Compass

So delighted to have a couple of poems in the beautiful new online journal The Compass. Have a look here, and be sure to check out the rest of what they’ve been up to – it’s a wealth of poetry.

Poetry Flashmob in Göttingen and other delights…

It’s been a busy few months! Check out the links for some text, reviews and recordings. Recording of Our Real Red Selves book launch at Golden Hare Bookshop here. The Process of Being piece that Catherine Street and I performed at the Cooper Gallery in Dundee, here. Review of the Hidden Door 2015 Unforeseen…… Continue reading Poetry Flashmob in Göttingen and other delights…

Upcoming Events

Just back from poetry festivals in Turkey and Berlin, but the fun doesn’t stop there! Here are some upcoming events taking place in Edinburgh over the next couple of months… hope to see you. Click on each listing for more details. OPUL at Click Clack 60, Henry’s Cellar Bar, Edinburgh, 30 June Launch of…… Continue reading Upcoming Events

CAESURA 32

Also super excited to be performing at CAESURA 32 at Summerhall tomorrow night. It was meant to be a JL Williams performance with a little OPUL but it seems to have evolved, to my delight, into a much more integrated set. Anyway, much music and poetry will be had by all. Also performing will be…… Continue reading CAESURA 32

Click Clack Club

A couple of exciting events coming up including an OPUL gig at Click Clack Club on Tuesday 30 June at Henry’s at 7pm, see more details here.

Our Real Red Selves

Thanks to Stewart Ennis of Vagabond Voices for recording and editing this interview in preparation for the launch of Our Real Red Selves (available to pre-order here: Our Real Red Selves). The book will be launching on 4 June at the CCA in Glasgow (CCA launch details here) and in Edinburgh in early July (details…… Continue reading Our Real Red Selves

TALKFEST: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Join us if you can, tickets are available here. It’s such a treat to be part of this! PRESENTED BY PLAYWRIGHTS’ STUDIO, SCOTLAND AS PART OF TALKFEST AT THE TRON CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Closing Time by Kevin P. Gilday; Pirlie Wee Horses by JL Williams Directed by Peter Arnott 22nd April 2015 7.45pm Free but ticketed…… Continue reading TALKFEST: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Best Scottish Poems 2014

Best Scottish Poems 2014 is out now! You can read and listen to all the poems here. It’s a real honour to have been included in this selection by this year’s editor Roderick Watson.

Aye Write! 2015

It’s really a pleasure to be reading at two events at Aye Write! this year. The first will be on 18 April at 6pm. It’s the pre-launch for ‘Triptych: Our Real Red Selves’ out with Vagabond Voices, with myself, Harry Giles and Marion McCready. This new series is inspired by the beautiful Penguin Modern Poets books…… Continue reading Aye Write! 2015

Publishing and Performing Your Poetry

Excited to be chairing this event tomorrow – do come along if you’re interested in hearing about publishing from the editor’s mouth and performing from the poet’s mouth. Publishing and Performing Your PoetryThis seminar will explore the different ways in which poets can reach an audience, and will overview the best approach to take when…… Continue reading Publishing and Performing Your Poetry

Read Raw

Featured poet this month on Read Raw, a lovely website that showcases poets and authors. Have a look here: Read Raw

Jeremy Beardmore in Cordite Review: The Scottish Poetry Scene

Nice article in the fabulous Cordite Review on the Scottish Poetry Scene by the ubiquitous Jeremy Beardmore.

Sujata Bhatt

Sujata Bhatt is an amazing person, a shining light and a magnificent poet. She is also very kind to have recommended Locust and Marlin alongside some other excellent books in the recent Poetry Book Society Bulletin, along with a very lovely piece on her own fabulous new book. Thank you Sujata!

Alice Notley Dream Come True

It’s not very often one gets to meet one of one’s poetry heroes, let alone sit and have a chat with them, in public, but it’s happening! And in fact it’s already sold out. Alice Notley has been a source of inspiration for years. I think I might go black and blue from pinchIng myself.…… Continue reading Alice Notley Dream Come True

DURA: New Review of Locust and Marlin

Very generous and thoughtful new review of Locust and Marlin just out on DURA. You can read it here.

Until Only the Mountain Remains: Christopher Orr

I was very happy to be included in this collection of poetry and stories written in response to the beautiful work of Christopher Orr in The Beguiled Eye (15 November 2014 – 14 February 2015), an exhibition at the Talbot Rice Gallery in Edinburgh. Do catch it if you can, it’s really worth seeing in person. You…… Continue reading Until Only the Mountain Remains: Christopher Orr

Cordite Poetry Review

Just out: The newest edition of CORDITE POETRY REVIEW which includes the Poetry Chapbook Caledonian Antisyzygy; Seven Contemporary Scottish Poets. I’m very honoured to be one of them, and in such excellent company!

SYMPOETRY on film

I feel so happy when I watch this film by Wee Dog Media documenting our SYMPOETRY: SPL Poetry Symposium last November. Hope you enjoy it too!

“The Writer’s Life” with JL Williams

On 17 February, at the CCA in Glasgow, I will be reading some of my poems and talking about what it’s like to be a poet at this event for the Scottish Writers’ Centre, which is a fabulous organisation that supports writers! Please do join us if you’re in the Wild West that evening, and…… Continue reading “The Writer’s Life” with JL Williams

Burns and Feminism

I had the pleasure of attending the Med-Chi Burns Supper on Friday. I was there to deliver a ‘Reply to the Toast to the Lassies’ that I hope would make my Wellesley College compatriots proud. The Tools of the Trade anthology is mentioned; I couldn’t resist as I was speaking to a room full of…… Continue reading Burns and Feminism

JL Williams reads at Neu Reekie @ Fruitmarket, 19/10/14

What fun it was to perform at the special Jim Lambie Neu Reekie event at the Fruitmarket Gallery last year. Here is a video with evidence of the sparkle!

Molly Bloom 6

It is an honour to be included in Molly Bloom 6, edited by the wonderful Aidan Semmens. Read it all, including Aidan’s excellent editorial, here: Molly Bloom 6 and my contribution here.

Reading at Henderson’s Cafe this Thursday

Reading at Henderson’s Cafe this Thursday, 15th January, 10.30 -11.30 am with Annie Pia and Alexander Hutchison. See you there if you can make it… lovely delights to eat and drink, as always. Henderson’s 94 Hanover Street Edinburgh EH2 1DR

Poems and Paintings on Lindisfarne

It has been wonderful working with the very talented artist Rose Strang on these collaborations. Her paintings are so full of light and mystery, it’s a delight to respond to them poetically. I recorded the poems and she then made these lovely films. You can see more of Rose’s work, and find out how to…… Continue reading Poems and Paintings on Lindisfarne

Outstanding Women

It is a great honour (and surprise!) to have been added to the Saltire Society’s Most Outstanding Woman of Scotland nomination list, which includes Mary Queen of Scots! You can see the list and learn more about each woman by clicking on their name here.

Mirrorball at the CCA

So pleased to be reading alongside two fabulous poets next week at the CCA in Glasgow. Do join us if you’re free. Mirrorball Date Thursday 30th October 2014 – 7:00pm CCA Clubroom, 350 Sauciehall Street £5 on the door, SMM members free, All ages Paul Farley was born in Liverpool in 1965 and studied at the…… Continue reading Mirrorball at the CCA

A Poet in the Garden

At the Scottish Poetry Library we’ve been experimenting with the possibility of making short film interviews with poets. Hopefully this is the first of many. Interview and film by Julie Johnstone, in the beautiful Dunbar Close Garden across the street from the SPL. A Scottish Poetry Library Light Rhymes Production 2014.

Jerwood Opera Writing Programme

Another piece of marvellous news just came along. I have been accepted onto the 2014/2015 Jerwood Opera Writing Programme. For a long time now I have been working with amazing composers and musicians such as James Iremonger to explore how poetry and music can combine to produce new creations, and this feels like the next…… Continue reading Jerwood Opera Writing Programme

Neu! Reekie! at the Fruitmarket

I’m thrilled to be reading at Neu! Reekie! A Salute to the Jim Lambie Generation, on Sunday 19 October, 7.30pm at Fruitmarket Gallery. There are many delightful treats in store.

Saltire Society Poetry Book of the Year Nomination

Locust and Marlin has been shortlisted for the Saltire Society Poetry Book of the Year Award, along with Jen Hadfield, John Burnside, Kei Miller, J. O. Morgan and Alexander Hutchison. I was so surprised when I found out — it’s an honour to be on a list with such extraorindary poets, and a joy.

5 Minutes Max

Thank you, Rodney Relax, for capturing some of my reading at nick-e melville’s 5 Minute Max event at Main Point Books in August, 2014. It was hot, packed out, and packed with extraordinary readings by fabulous poets — all of 5 minutes or less!

The Wisdom of Stone

Just came across this recording done for the Edinburgh City of Literature ‘enlighten’ project a couple years ago… funny to realise that I was writing about the life of stones even then (inspired in this case by James Hutton) and then went on to write more on this subject in Locust and Marlin, thanks to…… Continue reading The Wisdom of Stone

Be The First To Like This

An anthology of New Scottish Poetry — Be The First To Like This — is launching this Thursday, 25 September, at the Scottish Poetry Library. All anthologists are saddled with the difficult task of making a selection from what is usually a wealth of creativity and talent, however what has delighted me about what I’ve…… Continue reading Be The First To Like This

Hix Eros (is beautiful)

Hix Eros is a marvellous publication, much welcomed and recommended. I believe that a healthy creative culture must go hand in hand with a healthy constructively critical culture, and publications such as Hix Eros are making this a reality. Also, Issue #5, I’m honoured to say, has a totally gorgeous review of Locust and Marlin…… Continue reading Hix Eros (is beautiful)

Sound and Light

Exciting event coming up in Glasgow next week — Sound and Light : More fusion and fission with music and spoken word. JL Williams & James Iremonger; Mairi Lafferty & Lila Matsumoto; Tim Cooper & Sam Tongue; Alexander Hutchison & Special Guests.Wednesday, 3 September, 8pm, Glasgow City Halls. More info here.Tickets available here.We’ll be performing a…… Continue reading Sound and Light

Gutter Magazine: Locust and Marlin Review

I was so surprised and delighted when my friend, poet Stav Poleg, pointed out this lovely review of Locust and Marlin in the most recent edition of Gutter. So nice! Have a read here.

A Little Light: Can Poetry Make A Difference?

A Little Light: Can Poetry Make A Difference? I’ve been so disheartened lately… every time I look at the news I read a list of apocalyptic catastrophes. It’s hard, in the midst of all these reports of wars, murders, violence, disease, hunger and sorrow to feel that it’s okay to go through one’s day as…… Continue reading A Little Light: Can Poetry Make A Difference?

Nothing but The Poem on Paul Muldoon at Edinburgh International Book Festival

I enjoyed this sold out Edinburgh International Book Festival Nothing but The Poem session so much — especially hearing the participants take turns reading out all 90 haiku that make up the grand sequence “90 Instant Messages to Tom Moore” in Paul Muldoon’s collection Horse Latitudes. I’m not sure we got to the bottom of…… Continue reading Nothing but The Poem on Paul Muldoon at Edinburgh International Book Festival

Catherine Street & JL Williams present Declaration at 12-Hour Jamming Symposium

It was fabulous to be part of the 12-Hour Jamming Symposium recently, so many fabulous artists and thinkers involved. Here is our performance, but please do have a look at the website for more information and to see more videos from the day: STUDIO JAMMING

Edinburgh College of Art Masters Festival 2014

I will be reading, with the fabulous artist Catherine Street and other great folks, at the Here, Right Now event this weekend as part of the Edinburgh College of Art Masters Festival 2014, all details below. Hope to see you there!Edinburgh College of Art Masters Festival 2014Degree Show and EventsFind out more about the Masters Festival: http://www.eca.ed.ac.uk/degreeshowMasters Festival…… Continue reading Edinburgh College of Art Masters Festival 2014

Lucie Brock-Broido and John Burnside TAP Broadcast

It was so much fun to host our most recent Transatlantic Poetry Broadcast featuring Lucie Brock-Broido and John Burnside. You can watch it HERE.

Auld Enemies: Summerhall

Jess and I reading our new collaborative poem ‘Tenderbox’ inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen story ‘The Tinder-Box’.

Tricolour and Auld Enemies

Some other wonderful nights coming up that I’ll be reading at with fabulous poets in July… 7 July Tricolour: The monthly night at National Library of Scotland showcasing three different poetry and spoken word talents. Three different voices, three different styles, three different takes on life. This month we are joined by J A Sutherland, JL…… Continue reading Tricolour and Auld Enemies

The Pipe Factory

I’m super excited to be taking part in the ?! Festival at The Pipe Factory in Glasgow this weekend. I’ll be performing at 2.30pm on Sunday, but there is plenty to experience throughout the weekend including spoken and written word, screenings and BBQ. Sweet! Find out more here and here.