Some of you might be aware that I applied to get into Room 204 this year, but I didn’t get past the bouncers (Room 204 is Writing West Midland’s mentoring programme). Rejection is unfortunately part of a writer’s life, so I already had a Plan B which was to ask some of the poets I really respect if they would be my mentor instead. I am pleased to say that Mr. Matt Black agreed. Matt first came on my radar when he made a call-out on Facebook supporting a charity, which resulted in me passing plastic bin bags from my car boot to his car boot in a remote carpark in the middle of the night. (They were filled with football kits). We have progressed from that to me handing him wads of cash (very s
I am currently working for Coventry and Nova Scotia Universities to support refugee children to make picture books! The books will be ready in December for participants. I don't know if they are going to be available generally. It's just a wonderful way to spend Wednesday evenings at the moment. I also get to work with the amazing Laura Nyahuye - a local artist/maker/writer. We are having a LOVELY time! A couple of acceptances - one for two poems and the transcript of a conversation for a NAWE journal and one for a short story, which I am thrilled about - I will post them when they land on my doorstep. In addition, I've won a prize: I designed a logo for the Coventry Lord Mayors Committee fo
