ICYMI: How disappointing – and how predictable – to see the appearance of the usual jaded commentary pieces which opine that while poetry sales may be up, sadly, it’s not the right kind of poetry, says Brian Bilston in our recent Comment piece 👇 #BookSky

Coming soon … an evening of poetry and pop at a venue near you*. Tickets here: brianbilston.com/events/ * if you live near one of the venues on this list, that is.

There’s an antiques emporium in Norwich of such unfathomable strangeness every visit produces fresh gasps of bewilderment and terror. Recent finds: 1. Mounted photo print of depressed steam train driver (£1)

We're delighted to announce that @brianbilston.bsky.social is coming to Beverley! Join us at East Riding Theatre on Valentine's Day for a hint of romance (with a difference!) as Brian explores the world through poetry, in a style that's all his own. Tickets: stage4beverley.com/whats-on/bri...

The good people of Bluesky... a request for help. I’m on the lookout for real-life examples of ridiculous tat, tacky gifts, or pointless gadgets: e.g. a replica Viking Drinking Horn (with brass wolf adornments) or an Amanda Holden wall clock. The more awful or futile, the better. Any suggestions?

How disappointing – and how predictable – to see the appearance of the usual jaded commentary pieces which opine that while poetry sales may be up, sadly, it’s not the right kind of poetry, says Brian Bilston in our recent Comment piece 👇 #BookSky

🇮🇪 @brianbilston.bsky.social IS HEADING TO IRELAND 🇮🇪 Catch the social media sensation in... 📖 17 Oct - Mandel Hall, Belfast 📖 18 Oct - The Ambassador, Dublin 📖 19 Oct - @limetreetheatre.bsky.social 📖 20 Oct - Millenium Theatre, Derry 🎟 Grab your tickets here: edgestreetlive.com/brian-bilston

Not forgetting this excellent reading (at the NT?) www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUv2...

Here’s another poem for National Poetry Day. This one is called ‘A Brief History of Modern Art in Poetry’.

Chuffed that my new poetry collection, 'A Poem for Every Question', illustrated by Joe Berger, has been chosen as the October Children's Book of the Month by indie-friendly online bookseller, bookshop dot org. Use the code POEM10 at checkout for an extra 10% off. uk.bookshop.org/a/295/978000...

Happy National Poetry Day to all those who celebrate. This year’s theme is ‘play’ so here’s a poem which plays with some letters. It’s called ‘The Problem of Writing Poems in the Shape of Deciduous Trees’.

On National Poetry Day, the greatest poem I have ever read

slightly ominous mailer from the Red Cross

Another great one gone. RIP Brian Patten.

Picked up Lunch Poems by Frank O'Hara and had to make sure this Poem was in it and it is and it is, every time, basically perfect

Comedian goes to Saudi Arabia - and beyond!

A print run of 50 of my '26 calendars will be on pre-order in my Etsy shop tmrw (Thurs) from 8pm UK time. I create each of my photos using recent neuroscientific research-looking at them alters brain biochemistry & is likely to trigger dopamine release in your brain &...cont'd in following post 🧵

I’m heading back to Ireland this month to read some poems, if that’s okay with you. 17th: BELFAST: Mandela Hall 18th: DUBLIN: Ambassador Theatre 19th: LIMERICK: Lime Tree Theatre 20th: DERRY: Millennium Forum You can get tickets here (but only if you want to): brianbilston.com/events/

When poetry and information texts meet, the outcome is superb! Fantastic book from @brianbilston.bsky.social and Joe Berger. This is going to be very much enjoyed in school and across the curriculum 😊 Thoroughly recommend adding this to your school library. #poetryforpleasure

Hi Internet! I'm Drew and THIS IS MY FACE. If this GIF has ever brought you joy in the past, I humbly ask you to consider making a donation to the National MS Society. It would mean a lot to me and to those I know affected by the disease! Donate at blinkingguy.com

🎟 UPCOMING TOURS WITH EDGE STREET LIVE 🎟 There are plenty of incredible tours heading to venues across the UK this year with everything from poetry courtesy of John Cooper Clarke and Henry Normal to collaborative magic created by @brianbilston.bsky.social and The Catenary Wires.

I’m reading some poems at Marlborough Literature Festival tomorrow. A few tickets remain - if you fancy snaffling one, they’re available here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/marlboroughl... @marlboroughlitfest.bsky.social

Today's #NationalPoetryDay poem, what could be more playful than a shape poem. This one from my 1st collection Where Zebras Go Otter-Barry Books @domconlon.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social @brianbilston.bsky.social @brianmosespoet.bsky.social

PEOPLE OF OXFORD: this is today! Come on over to Blackwell’s on Broad St later this afternoon for an hour of silly poems (mine) and brilliant drawings (Joe’s) as we celebrate the publication of ‘A Poem for Every Question’. Tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brian-bils...

It’s UK publication day for ‘A Poem for Every Question’, my new collection of poems for children, illustrated by the brilliant Joe Berger. It should be available through your local bookshop. Alternatively, here’s a page with links to some online booksellers: harpercollins.co.uk/products/a-p...

Did you catch @brianbilston.bsky.social and The Catenary Wires live session on BBC 6 Music last Monday? 👂 Brian & the Catenary Wires debuted their first live session and caught up with Gideon Coe & Marc Riley to chat about their incredible collaborations and upcoming tour this autumn 🎟

I’m reading some poems tonight at the #jerseyfestivalofwords. If you’re nearby and fancy joining me, here’s where you can get a ticket: jerseyoperahouse.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/... @jerseywordfest.bsky.social

Having accidentally acquired a groundhog from a bloke in a pub (look, I thought it was a big guinea pig, OK?), I seem to be permanently trapped in last Monday, forced to either listen to @brianbilston.bsky.social and The Catenary Wires in session on 6 Music over and over again [1/3]

LIMERICK It was the Medical Council’s belief, That as a form of effective relief, Paracetamol would Be next to no good From the pain of the Satsuma-in-Chief.

Big thanks to Linghams Bookshop for hosting such a lovely event for ‘A Poem for Every Question’ yesterday. The audience was very fabulous, too. Shout out to the boy in the Q&A who asked ‘Why is there a universe?’ Still thinking about the answer to that one. Signed copies available thru’ Linghams.

I’ll be reading poems from my new book at Linghams Bookshop in Heswall tomorrow …

People of Dublin: I’m looking forward to reading poems in your fair city on 18th Oct. Please note that this show was originally advertised – in error – as beginning at 9pm. It actually starts at 8pm, which is far more civilised. I’ve made a note not to read all of the same poems I read last year.

A lovely German phrase for describing a place in the middle of nowhere is wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen. It means “where the fox and hare say goodnight.”

In case you’ve ever wondered how they do it… www.worldofmoose.com/products/mum...

“I mean, your society’s broken, so who should we blame? Should we blame the rich, powerful people who caused it? No let’s blame the people with no power & no money & these immigrants who don’t even have the vote, yeah it must be their fucking fault.” —Iain Banks www.theguardian.com/books/2013/j...

It was such a joy to be in session with The Catenary Wires for the Riley & Coe show on @6music.bsky.social last night. Loved the Maida Vale studios. We played four songs and had a chat with @gidcoe.bsky.social. You can listen to it here (but only if you want to): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

✨ THE BIG REVEAL ✨ We are excited to share with you our brilliant 2026 £1/€1.50 books! Children can choose their own book from 12 February 2026, FREE with a £1/€1.50 book token. 📚✨ Find out more on our website ➡️https://buff.ly/3VaLLAa #WBD26 #WorldBookDay #readforfun

Further context: the book’s publishers, Unbound, went bust a few months ago, the rights and all remaining stock reverted to me, and I now have several boxes of the book in my office, which is several-minus-one boxes too many. I like the book, make no mistake, but am also keen to get rid of them.

Excited to be doing a live session for the Riley & Coe show on BBC @6music.bsky.social tomorrow night. With @brianbilston.bsky.social and The Catenary Wires. Join us from 9pm. @edgestreetlive.bsky.social @gidcoe.bsky.social

Here’s a poem called ‘English Roundabouts’.

As if that last post wasn't exciting enough ... we're live in session on the Riley & Coe show on BBC 6 Music on Monday night. If you fancy tuning in, you'll hear us playing four songs and there'll be a bit of chat with the mighty Gideon Coe.

A big thanks to all those who came along to Ramsgate Music Hall on Friday. We had a blast! Such a fabulous venue to host the very first Brian Bilston & the Catenary Wires show. The tour begins in earnest at the end of October. More info here … brianbilston.com/events/

Tonight’s the night …The first Brian Bilston and the Catenary Wires gig is happening tonight at the Ramsgate Music Hall. A few tickets still available here: www.ramsgatemusichall.com/tc-events/br...

Donald Trump, Peter Mandelson & Jeffrey Epstein. From Matt.

Thank you. blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/pro...

Not many tickets left now for Ramsgate on Friday. If you fancy coming along to this - or any of the other stops on our tour, you can find out more here: brianbilston.com/events/

I crocheted Patti Smith’s Horses cover

🎉✏️ Words on the move and off your desk! National Poetry Day 2025 is on its way and this year the theme is PLAY! Today, we’re highlighting a delightfully playful poem from @brianbilston.bsky.social. Find “On ‘;..p'[[[[[[[[[[[[[;’;////////////////////////3,’” on our website here: 👉 buff.ly/a8UoGW3

Should have an apostrophe in Pedents