Lesley Curwen
@elcurwen.bsky.social
📤 1659
📥 1053
📝 146
Poet, broadcaster, journalist, ex-BBC presenter, sailor, sea-swimmer.
pinned post!
My poetry book is from
@hedgehogpoetry.bsky.social
www.hedgehogpress.co.uk/product/resc...
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“Rescue Lines” – Lesley Curwen (Print Edition)
“Rescue Lines” – Lesley Curwen (Print Edition) Official Release Date: 17th July 2024 Order Signed Copies Direct From Lesley Curwen via Twitter/X HERE
https://www.hedgehogpress.co.uk/product/rescue-lines-lesley-curwen-print-edition/
about 1 year ago
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Lesley Curwen
Louise Longson
3 days ago
Thrilled to be hosting the imminent take-off of
@elcurwen.bsky.social
& Stephen Paul Wren's collaboration, plus a few poems from my new one and very special guests
@jirobb.bsky.social
@paulwritespoems.bsky.social
and
@annasaund.bsky.social
29 Nov at 7.00pm
eventbrite.co.uk/e/last-satur...
Join us!
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Last Saturday Poetry: Get ready for take-off!
Celebrating the imminent launch of two new poetry collections
https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/last-saturday-poetry-ready-steady-launch-tickets-1970218288939?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Lesley Curwen
Alice Stainer
9 days ago
This was such a lovely surprise!Thank you to
@catherineredford.bsky.social
&
@tarawheeler.bsky.social
for this vote of confidence 🤩
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Lesley Curwen
𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕜 𝔸𝕟𝕥𝕠𝕟𝕪 𝕆𝕨𝕖𝕟
10 days ago
Wow! This feels like it was an AGE ago ... when in fact, it's been less than a year since this appeared. My thanks, still, to
@matthewmcsmith.bsky.social
,
@blackboughpoetry.bsky.social
, and my former BBC journalist interviewer
@elcurwen.bsky.social
. 🙏🏼
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Lesley Curwen
Paul Lewis
13 days ago
Never buy leasehold (if you can avoid it) part 94
bit.ly/4qG8soL
“escalating charges, poor service quality, opaque fees and a lack of communication” MB these are failings, not alleged failings.
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Forced out of retirement by a £25k bill: MPs probe freeholder over service charges
Residents launch fightback against Britain’s biggest freeholder’s fees
https://bit.ly/4qG8soL
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Dr Rachel Broady
17 days ago
It's not a grassroots working class movement. "Wherever we looked for prominent flaggers and leaders of this movement, we found people smugglers and sex doll salesmen, people with dubious criminal pasts and people willing to put in a good word for Adolf Hitler."
manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-...
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The men who raised the flags
Nigel Farage says this summer’s movement was led by ‘ordinary people’ expressing their patriotism. That’s not what we found
https://manchestermill.co.uk/the-men-who-raised-the-flags/
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Rhona Greene
17 days ago
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ So excited for tomorrow’s Dublin launch
@eatthestorms.com
Issue V when we will celebrate with some of our wonderful contributors whose stunning work makes this issue so special. It’s been amazing to be subeditor to our phenomenal EIC Damien B Donnelly. Time to Shine Stormers!⭐️🍾 🥂 ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
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Sounds like @bbcradio 4 has been speeded up on the Sunday programme debate on the Church of England! Surely no one speaks that fast? OMG!!
23 days ago
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Thanks to Damien
@eatthestorms.com
and
@rhonagreene.bsky.social
for making me a Stormer for Issue V.
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 month ago
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Lesley Curwen
Anne Applebaum
about 1 month ago
President Macron: “We were very naive to leave our public space to social media networks controlled by US or Chinese companies that don’t share our interests and not interested in survival of our democracies.”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MggN...
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French President Macron Speaks at German Unity Day Ceremony | WION LIVE
YouTube video by WION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MggNSjfF6XI
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Literature Works
about 2 months ago
We’re pleased to share a new piece of writing by the Quay Words Summer 2025 writer-in-residence Kirsteen McNish. Here's ‘There are tides everywhere.’
quaywords.org.uk/there-are-ti...
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Quay Words at Exeter Custom House | ‘There are tides, everywhere.’ by Kirsteen McNish
Kirsteen McNish was the Quay Words writer-in-residence for Summer 2025. During her ‘Tides’ residency at Exeter Custom House, she set out to explore the tides’ influence on our psyche, excavate…
https://quaywords.org.uk/there-are-tides-everywhere-by-kirsteen-mcnish/
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Lesley Curwen
Cat Neilan
2 months ago
My colleague
@thejohnsimpson.bsky.social
has done a terrific deep dive into the financial links between US tech billionaires and Tommy Robinson Well worth a read
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
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US cash turned Tommy Robinson into the poster boy of UK f...
Outside the Old Bailey in 2018, a reinvented Tommy Robinson flashed his perfect new teeth to 2,000 diehard supporters at a “free Tommy” rally on a stage ...
https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/us-cash-turned-tommy-robinson-into-the-poster-boy-of-uk-far-right
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Thank you
@catherineredford.bsky.social
for reading my pamphlet 'Rescue Lines', a poetic meditation on finding and losing a sister. 🙏
@hedgehogpress.co.uk
Signed copies still available by DM.
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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Lesley Curwen
Thanks to
@zoebrigley.bsky.social
for interviewing me about my poem 'A night on the river Yealm' for
@modronmagazine.bsky.social
.
modronmagazine.com/2025/04/06/t...
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The More Than Human Perspective in Environmental Poetry: A Poem and Interview with Lesley Curwen
In this interview, Lesley Curwen discusses her writing process, particularly in relation to nature and ocean pollution. Her poem “Night on the Yealm” captures a quiet moment on a sailin…
https://modronmagazine.com/2025/04/06/the-more-than-human-perspective-in-environmental-poetry-a-poem-and-interview-with-lesley-curwen/
8 months ago
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Thank you
@matthewmcsmith.bsky.social
@blackboughpoetry.bsky.social
for reading my book 'Sticky with Miles' about damage done by global trade for
@sealeychallenge.bsky.social
. DM me for a signed copy.
@dreich.bsky.social
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3 months ago
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For
##PoemsAbout
#chandeliers
, a poem that riffs on that image. For
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
and the
##poetsofbluesky
community.
3 months ago
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Lesley Curwen
Annick Yerem
3 months ago
Tomorrow!
www.tickettailor.com/events/sdhep...
Come and join us, it will be an evening filled with poetry and love.
#PoetrySky
#Fundraiser
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I recommend this novel by Briony Collins. Read my blog here:
www.lesleycurwenpoet.com/ambergris-a-...
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‘Ambergris’, a novel by Briony Collins – Lesley Curwen
http://www.lesleycurwenpoet.com/ambergris-a-novel-by-briony-collins
3 months ago
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Black Bough Poetry
4 months ago
📣 Our
#SilverBranch
series feature poet for August 2025 ☀️ 📣 Sue Finch
@suefinch.bsky.social
🖊️ 💎 ‘I will howl for its dark future’ 🦇 Full feature:
blackboughpoetry.com/sue-finch-augu…
#poetry
r
#writingcommunity
ty
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Lesley Curwen
Chris Campbell
4 months ago
A great BBC Upload shout out for the launch of my new poetry collection ‘Why I Wear My Past to Work’ at The Bridge Inn, Bristol (28th Sept). With mention of Bob Walton, Helen Sheppard,
@tomsastry.bsky.social
& the rest of the top line up. You can hear a poem too:
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
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Lesley Curwen
Emma Harding
4 months ago
Fiction from Japan, a
#memoir
of adolescence & essays on New York life in today’s A Good Read 3pm @BBCRadio4 The barrister & writer
@robrinder.bsky.social
& author
@junodawson.bsky.social
talk
#books
with
@harriettsg.bsky.social
Producer Sally Heaven
#fiction
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
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BBC Radio 4 - A Good Read, Rob Rinder and Juno Dawson
The barrister and the writer discuss books they feel passionate about.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002gqgg
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Lesley Curwen
Carmella de Keyser
4 months ago
Have really enjoyed being part of Jack Caradoc's THE CANDYMAN'S TRUMPET
@dreich.bsky.social
🎺 An eclectic, thought-provoking, culturally relevant magazine.🖤 Here's my poem- GETTING PIERCED! A reflection on the 90's & my memories of Camden Lock.
#Camden
#PoemsAboutPiercings
#90s
#CamdenTown
#Poems
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Lesley Curwen
Paul Connolly
4 months ago
Bridport Prize starter pack
@bridportprize.bsky.social
with winners & shortlisted writers including
@kitdewaal.com
@dreenawriting.co.uk
@marcellenewbold.bsky.social
@esloudon.bsky.social
Please follow & repost the pack & tell me if you want to be included
#booksky
#poetrycommunity
#writingcommunity
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This
@bbcradio.bsky.social
#SundayFeature on artist and writer Edward Gorey is brilliant - give it a listen.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
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Sunday Feature - Make Everybody as Uneasy as Possible: Edward Gorey at 100 - BBC Sounds
Chris Riddell celebrates the centenary of the American artist and writer Edward Gorey.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002br1c?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
4 months ago
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Lesley Curwen
Emma Harding
4 months ago
Zadie Smith & Colm Tóibín join
@harriettsg.bsky.social
for today’s A Good Read 3pm @BBCRadio4 A devoted father in Colombia, a modern-day picaresque through London, and a languid summer romance. Produced by Eliza Lomas
#books
#fiction
#memoir
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
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BBC Radio 4 - A Good Read, Zadie Smith and Colm Tóibín
Two authors join Harriett Gilbert to share favourite books.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002gfzl
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Lesley Curwen
Suzanna Fitzpatrick
4 months ago
Bit late - school holidays! - but was thrilled to be able to read a sonnet from 'Crippled' at the
@foundationswift.bsky.social
reading today. Fantastic readers and great discussion afterwards, ably chaired by
@degna.bsky.social
and
@elcurwen.bsky.social
www.redsquirrelpress.com/product-page...
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Thank you to
@blackboughpoetry.bsky.social
for re sharing my
#SilverBranch
poems.
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4 months ago
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Lesley Curwen
Glenn Barker
4 months ago
Hello
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
and host
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
for another week of thematic writing, with
#PoemsAbout
#Glamour
. I tried to channel my inner Marc Bolan, but the Paris fashion houses won.
#PoetsOnBluesky
#PoetryCommunity
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Lesley Curwen
Atrium
4 months ago
Thank you for reading and sharing today's poem - Body-swap by
@elcurwen.bsky.social
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'Swags as soft as were-fur'. Love this line.
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4 months ago
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For
#PoemsAbout
#glamour
, a small poem about dangerous colours.
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
4 months ago
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Lesley Curwen
A Thousand Shades of Green (on hiatus for a while)
5 months ago
George Sandifer Smith, Perry Gasteiger,
@rfredekenter.bsky.social
@petitecreature1.bsky.social
@barney-ashton.bsky.social
@eatthestorms.com
@brionycollins.bsky.social
Jen Feroze,
@markantonyowen.com
@poetbex.bsky.social
Romina Ramos
@jamesmcconachie1.bsky.social
@elcurwen.bsky.social
Robert Edge
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Lesley Curwen
The Broken Spine
5 months ago
⚡ In 48 hours, the
#PIL
system opens to the world If you care about: ✔️ Poetry ✔️ Indie presses ✔️ Breaking paywalls Be ready. June 30 = launch day
#PromoteIndieLit
#PoetsOfBlueSky
#BookRelease
#BlogTour
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Lesley Curwen
Louise Longson
5 months ago
If you have an hour or so to spare tomorrow, come and join me and some wonderful poets 7pm, online Zoom and free - a great and inspiring way to spend some of the Last Saturday of the month!
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/last-satur...
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Last Saturday: An Evening of Poetry Readings
Join poets Sue Finch, Julia Webb, Lucy Heuschen, Karen P Gonzalez, Anna Chorlton, Sarah Wallis and Sue Watling for an evening of words.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/last-saturday-an-evening-of-poetry-readings-tickets-1409227690959
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Lesley Curwen
RobertFredeKenter
5 months ago
A great opportunity! Cool paying journal looking for submissions
#poetry
#blueskypoetry
#ecopoetics
#anthropocene
#climateemergency
#essays
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Lesley Curwen
The Broken Spine
5 months ago
Final week! Don't miss your chance to submit to #SelectedPoetry. Free, unthemed, and a contributor directory spot awaits. @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social @vespertine4.bsky.social
shorturl.at/W8jbo
#SelectedPoetry.
#SubmissionWindow
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Submissions Open: Selected Poetry June – For Autumn 2025 Release - The Broken Spine
June means the gates are open. We’re now accepting submissions for Selected Poetry: Autumn 2025, our unthemed digital poetry anthology, free to download, and
https://shorturl.at/W8jbo
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Lesley Curwen
Paul Connolly
5 months ago
A
#lifttothesky
this week goes to the wonderful poet
@elcurwen.bsky.social
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For
#PoemsAbout
#Transitions
, a sailor's view. For
@alanparry83.bsky.social
@brokenspinearts.bsky.social
5 months ago
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Lesley Curwen
The Broken Spine
5 months ago
Mid-June check-in: Have you submitted to #SelectedPoetry yet? Free, unthemed, and a contributor directory spot for published poets. @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social @vespertine4.bsky.social
shorturl.at/W8jbo
#SelectedPoetry
#SubmissionWindow
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Submissions Open: Selected Poetry June – For Autumn 2025 Release - The Broken Spine
June means the gates are open. We’re now accepting submissions for Selected Poetry: Autumn 2025, our unthemed digital poetry anthology, free to download, and
https://shorturl.at/W8jbo
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Lesley Curwen
Alan Parry He/Him
5 months ago
Just put together the final six submission calls for The Broken Spine’s
#Slimlines
thematic
#PoetryAnthology
series. These map out what I'm publishing across the next 18 months. 2026 me will be pleased with the work I did today. Reminders will come, but you can read here:
shorturl.at/Zzplu
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The Broken Spine
5 months ago
We only do this bimonthly—and July’s show is shaping up beautifully. If you’ve got a poem, a voice, a story—bring it. #PoemsAbout #OpenMic 📅 Thursday 3 July | 🕗 20:00 BST 🎟️
shorturl.at/ftrJJ
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#PoemsAbout Virtual Open Mic | Thursday 3 July 2025 | 20:00–22:00 BST
Join us for July's #PoemsAbout Open Mic Night! Share your poetry, connect with others, and celebrate community creativity.
https://shorturl.at/ftrJJ
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Lesley Curwen
The Broken Spine
5 months ago
Your poetry deserves a platform. Submit to #SelectedPoetry—free and unthemed. Join our contributor directory and get the recognition you deserve. @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social @vespertine4.bsky.social
shorturl.at/W8jbo
#SelectedPoetry—free
#SubmissionWindow
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Submissions Open: Selected Poetry June – For Autumn 2025 Release - The Broken Spine
June means the gates are open. We’re now accepting submissions for Selected Poetry: Autumn 2025, our unthemed digital poetry anthology, free to download, and
https://shorturl.at/W8jbo
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Thank you Rhona! Very excited to be part of
#thewhiskeytree
.
@brokenspinearts.bsky.social
@alanparry83.bsky.social
add a skeleton here at some point
6 months ago
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#Golitha
Falls in Cornwall, a place of quiet beauty.
6 months ago
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Lesley Curwen
The Guardian
6 months ago
My island of strangers: a poem | Michael Rosen
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My island of strangers: a poem | Michael Rosen
The prime minister warns that immigration could turn Britain into an ‘island of strangers’. Author and poet Michael Rosen responds
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/17/my-island-of-strangers-poem-michael-rosen?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=bsky_gu&utm_medium=&utm_source=Bluesky#Echobox=1747462491
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Lesley Curwen
Black Bough Poetry
6 months ago
Nice bit of news - our guest reviewer for the mystery that is the June
#bookofthemonth
will be rising poet-star Victoria Spires. Had to ask
@victoriaspires.bsky.social
after reading her recent reviews. Check out her own pamphlet!
salopress.com/store/soi-meme/
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Lesley Curwen
Marcelle Newbold
6 months ago
A fantastic set!
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Still buzzing from yesterday's set at the Cheltenham Poetry Festival. Huge thanks to CEO Anna Saunders!
6 months ago
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Lesley Curwen
Oliver
6 months ago
A spirited response from Michael Rosen to Keir Starmer's bigoted comment about an Island of Strangers
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The stage is set, for poetry readings here at Cheltenham Poetry Festival.
6 months ago
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