So last week saw me launch the chapbook, for blackbirds pushing against glass, with some amazing writers.
It was a lovely intimate celebration online and I’ve got the recording to share with you now.
You can still make an order for all four chapbooks here.
I love this season. This is my season. This is birthday season. And I usually have so many things planned that I blink and miss the season. And I also feel a bit gipped because this season is taken up by Halloween and Christmas celebrations that no sooner that I have my autumn leaves wreath on my front door that I’ve got to replace it with the Christmas one.
So as a gift to myself as well as some breathing space, this season I’m bringing out the poetry and I’m writing a poem a day to cherish the moment. To live and breathe into the season.
I hope to share my creations here.
I know I have a lot to share here about the last few months too. I’m not sure what I have shared here. But I do know it feels good to take the time each day to exercise my imagination and be inspired to write again for me. But I’m sharing too.
I was thinking this morning back from the school run what can I do this season to support myself. Support the ease into hibernation mode but still get through the last few commitments and chores of the year. And I feel in my heart that writing poetry or attempting to dive into my dreams ( and nightmares) is a way of giving myself that much needed support. Keeping me creative but also keeping me sane.
I hope you join me in this journey one more time.
What’s the trait you value most about yourself?
Things have been busy over here. At some point, probably at hibernation time, I’ll be at rest to share the developments. But for now …
My trait that I value, particularly at this time of year and in this time of busy, is my ability to pay attention.
To take a moment to breathe, look around and savour the beauty. Some beauty at each moment.
The days are growing shorter. The nights are drawing in. And I’m very grateful for a number of things. One of them is that I spent some time this summer getting back into reading.
Maybe it was the long drives or the long light nights, but I scratched an itch and came out 10 books down by the end of August.
I rested up over the summer and I also pulled out some books and dived head first into a bunch of summer reads. Physical books, kindle books and audio books.
I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions as I made my way through some class act reads and I wasn’t sticking to my usual crime.
I’ve read romance, erotica, literary and comedy. And now with September here, I’ve continued. I’m also keeping track. Keeping a record of my reads.
There are times I’m knee deep in a story and I have to stop because I’m reading that fast and I want the goodness to last.
You know that feeling right?
Other times I have to stop because I’m enjoying myself so much, loving the story and have to give thanks for finally getting back into a reading streak.
I’m not sure how it happened. I think I just kept turning up. Kept turning up to the page. I think it helped that I found a good book series too. And then I found it being read by actors so well that I was hooked.
I found BookBeat and Amy Award’s Cocky Kingmans. I’ll write more about this series and what it opened up for me but if you’re interested in getting a free trial of BookBeat for 70 days just check it out here.
No catch just the chance to get into reading/ listening at a good time of year to snuggle and get cosy with a good book.
Things are happening this Autumn.
I was invited to submit my chapbook, for blackbirds pushing against glass, to a new press, The Wildheart Press, created by Eleanor Cheetham.
I was part of Eleanor’s Soulbook course offering in 2023 where I had the time and space to explore my creative fugitivity. Breaking the rules were welcome.
So Eleanor was familiar with my work when she approached me to submit my feral words to her press. I jumped at the chance because the words were already created. This was an opportunity to share my words further. And I just love supporting a person and a press who recognises that I do not colour within the lines. My writing does not stay on the straight and narrow path. My words like to wander and meander and that is mighty fine with me.
I’m grateful to find a home for them in The Wildheart Press.
Please consider ordering an advance copy of the chapbook. There are four other chapbooks coming out for the Autumn series too. Go and check them out
There will be a launch reding event on the evening of 26th September if you’re interested in meeting the writers and hearing our words.
Check out The Wildheart Press for details.
The bunches of berries are coming!
You’ve got to love Saturday mornings. The promise of the weekend ahead. The mix between wanting to lie in and getting out there and {BEING}.
I’m loudly advocating for what I want this morning and that is time to write and muse and drink coffee after coffee.
So I’ve been over on the Earth Sea Love Substack page sharing about a recent literary project I’ve been involved with. I wrote about creativity, motherhood, blackness and publishing on the Substack.
And being a Black mother in the publication.
Entwined: an Anthology of Creativity & Motherhood
A collaborative anthology and art journal to kindle creativity in motherhood. Edited by Sarah Shott.
My writing is included in this anthology of creativity and motherhood and I thought you might want to check it out!
How do you relax?
This week has been busy. Schools are back and the summer is just hard to shake off, even if I wanted to
Tired has been the word of the week. So tired. Thank God it’s Friday and time to relax.
I know I’ve earned it. So what do I do? I get into the sea. She has the power to excite and relax me both at the same time. I’m washed clean after a quick dip in the North Sea, taking a moment to express my gratitude for this blessing.
Living by the sea never gets old, never gets boring as she is never the same sea twice. Seas would be a more accurate word to describe her.
Living Wild Studios 