Tag Archives: poetry

SPL Podcast and Transatlantic Poetry

We’ve been busy at the Scottish Poetry Library.  You might like to check out recent podcast interviews with poets Brian Turner, Tanya Shirley and… JL Williams! And our Transatlantic Poetry Broadcast featuring American poet David Mason and Scottish Poetry Gerry Cambridge is available to watch HERE and here…    

Reading at The Bakehouse

I’m really honoured and excited to be reading at The Bakehouse in Gatehouse of Fleet on 26 April (invite below). Please do come along if you’re near. From the Bakehouse: Do join us to celebrate the publication of Jennifer’s second collection. it is a joy to welcome one of Scotland’s best young poets to TheContinue reading “Reading at The Bakehouse”

Bacchanales Vol 49

It hasn’t quite arrived yet but I’m looking forward to receiving my contributor’s copy of Bacchanales Vol 49. It is a science-themed issue and my poems have been translated into French by a very kind translator Isabelle Metral who I’ve only met via email. It’s all thanks to the lovely Jean-Baptiste Cabaud, who I hadContinue reading “Bacchanales Vol 49”

ALQUIMIA DEL FUEGO

Santiago Aguaded Landero, a Spanish poet, translator and academic, got in touch recently and asked if he could translate and include a couple of my poems from Condition of Fire in his new anthology ALQUIMIA DEL FUEGO. The translation process is always fascinating to me, and in this case my friend, the extraordinary poet andContinue reading “ALQUIMIA DEL FUEGO”

John Glenday and Dorianne Laux SPL/Transatlantic Poetry on Air Reading

So enjoyed hosting Dorianne Laux and John Glenday for our first SPL/Transatlantic Poetry on Air reading last night.  It was really exciting and freeing to connect to so many via the click of a button, and to hear such exquisite poetry read in that intimate and personal way.  I hope we can do more inContinue reading “John Glenday and Dorianne Laux SPL/Transatlantic Poetry on Air Reading”

Review and Poem in The List

Not only do I have a poem for Valentine’s Day in this month’s issue of The List along with three marvellous poets — William Letford, Katherine McMahon and Tracey S Rosenberg, but I also have received one of the best, well probably THE best, review of my life based on a reading I gave recentlyContinue reading “Review and Poem in The List”

Locust and Marlin — Available to purchase online!

I’m not usually a big fan of the way internet sites monitor your interests and then suggest items to you that you might like to buy, however I was tickled today when my colleague, Colin Waters, pointed out that at the bottom of one of the pages he was looking at, my new book, LocustContinue reading “Locust and Marlin — Available to purchase online!”

Season’s Greetings!

I’m looking forward to a few readings in the new year, and hopefully a book launch for Locust and Marlin to announce soon. For now I can invite you to two events I’ll be reading at: The Accelerator at The Canon’s Gait, 232 Canongate, Wednesday 8 January, 8.30 pm – 10.30 pm, £4 / £3Continue reading “Season’s Greetings!”

Wee Small Hours: Louise Bourgeois

It was very special to be part of the Wee Small Hours event as part of the Fruitmarket Gallery’s exhibition, Louise Bourgeois: I Give Everything Away. Amazing workshops, poetry readings, films and performances kept us up throughout the night and we even managed to play ‘light as a feather, stiff as a board’ at aboutContinue reading “Wee Small Hours: Louise Bourgeois”

My Life in Poetry & Perfume

The filmmaker Lukasz Gasiorowski produced this beautiful video for us after filming at our Scottish Poetry Library My Life in Poetry & Perfume event at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in May. The event featured Alex Musgrave, perfume expert and writer, and James Iremonger and Atzi playing the music you hear in the film.

Poetry Notes

I’ve been writing down my recent thoughts about writing and publishing, some gleaned from doing and some from conversations with poets and publishers, and thought I would post them in case they’re useful for anyone. Poetry Notes by JL Williams “Nothing forced works.” Kay Ryan Don’t think about who you’re writing for, but consider whyContinue reading “Poetry Notes”

Gerry Loose EIBF Walking With Poets Interview

Gerry Loose EIBF Walking With Poets Interview This is an interview I did for Summerhall TV with the poet Gerry Loose, one of our SPL Walking With Poets residents.  He talks about the event we did at Edinburgh International Book Festival in which he discussed three of his favourite nature poems, and the history ofContinue reading “Gerry Loose EIBF Walking With Poets Interview”

Kay Ryan SPL Podcast

Kay Ryan SPL Podcast It was an honour and a joy to spend time with US poet Kay Ryan when she was over for the Edinburgh International Book Festival.  She is so beautiful, brilliant and funny, and I felt that listening to her was like sitting at the feet of a guru whose every insightContinue reading “Kay Ryan SPL Podcast”

Poesiefestival Berlin 2013

Poesiefestival Berlin: What an amazing festival!  I was only there for a few days, but in that short space of time I met so many extraordinary poets from around the world… many of these poets also working as the festival directors, publishers and editors helping to keep poetry alive and well in their countries.  TwoContinue reading “Poesiefestival Berlin 2013”

Edinburgh Review

I’m honoured to have some poems in the current issue of the very fine journal Edinburgh Review. Not only is it a beautiful publication, but it also happens to have the theme of 50 Years of New Playwriting in Scotland, and to feature many poets I had the pleasure of working with during my yearsContinue reading “Edinburgh Review”

10RED and Henderson’s Cafe Readings

Couple of readings coming up: I’ll be at 10RED at the Persevere in Leith tonight, with a host of delightful poets. Also very pleased to be reading with Rosemary Hector and Ken Cockburn at Henderson’s Cafe on Hanover Street on 14 March at 10.30am.   Hope to see you there, or soon!    

Terry Deary and Moray Council Make Me Sad

It makes me so sad to read of ignorance like this and like this.  I went to school.  I even got to read poetry in school, and it was wonderful.  But it was in my local public library where I first remember falling in love with a book of poetry; taking it home, cherishing the words,Continue reading “Terry Deary and Moray Council Make Me Sad”

The Burning Sand at Jim Lambie’s Poetry Club

What an amazing time we had last night at the first ‘The Burning Sand’ night at Jim Lambie’s delicious new Poetry Club in Glasgow.  The beautiful Sarah Lowndes invited me to read there and it was a real honour to kick off the night with some poems about sand, love, burning sand, burning love and…Continue reading “The Burning Sand at Jim Lambie’s Poetry Club”

Opul at Click Clack Club – 20 February – Henry’s Cellar Bar

We’re excited!  Opul has been invited back to the deliriously melodious Click Clack Club, which is moving to our favourite old haunt Henry’s Cellar Bar.  Hope to see you there on Wednesday 20 February, 8pm-11.30pm.    

Continuum at Generator

I was lucky enough recently to be one of the performers at artist Catherine Street’s Continuum show, along with Catherine herself, Martin Parker and Owen Green.  It was hosted at the super cool Generator Projects in Dundee.  It was very cold, but very thrilling. I’m very pleased that Catherine will be showing some of her amazing filmsContinue reading “Continuum at Generator”

Catherine Street and Continuum at Generator

So delighted to be working on a collaboration with artist and writer Catherine Street for the Continuum event happening on the 10th of November at Generator in Dundee, all details here.  Come if you can!  It features a number of amazing artists and I think it’s going to be really special.      

David Pollock on the Village Pub Theatre

‘It’s a rough and ready chance to enjoy work for what it is’ Published on Thursday 20 September 2012 03:48 David Pollock on the rise of village pub theatre. “It’s easy to moan about money,” says playwright James Ley, “but it’s important to have a ‘nothing comes from nothing’ attitude too.” To this end heContinue reading “David Pollock on the Village Pub Theatre”

Independent Readings

I’m delighted to be reading at two events this week, both themed for the 4th of July. One is 10RED at the Persevere in Leith on Wednesday night, where I’m honoured to be reading Whitman, and one at the new Looking Glass Books on Friday night, where I’ll be reading my own poems about America,Continue reading “Independent Readings”

Best Scottish Poems 2011

Special Note: This poem will be featured on the front page of the Scottish Poetry Library website on 7th of June… Have a read that day if you wish. This year’s Scottish Poetry Library Anthology Best Scottish Poems 2011, edited by the marvellous Roddy Lumsden, is now out. I feel so privileged to have aContinue reading “Best Scottish Poems 2011”