Happy book anniversary for 'I Am Not Light' to Manchester poet, Louise Machen @louloumach.bsky.social Louise will continue to perform over the summer in the North. A true wordsmith and #spokenword maverick! tinyurl.com/bpab6xhj

A small poem in honour of my collection’s first anniversary ❤️ @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social

📚 I read some books, I wrote about them victoriaspires.substack.com

Despite the rain, the chill, winter's reluctance to cede his throne, spring arrives with daffodils, birdsong, the lengthening of days. Welcoming it are the 15 poets of wave twenty-five of @iamb.uk. Expect 45 poems, written and read – fresh as the incoming season. iamb.uk/index/wave/25

On my website tomorrow [email protected] (AKA Louise Machen) drops in to reflect upon a poem from her emotionally charged collection 'I Am Not Light' (Black Bough Press). A genuinely insight into an accomplished poet's work. Don't miss it. www.nigelkent.poet.wordpress.com

‘One of the most exciting contemporary poets I have read’ @wendycaitlin.bsky.social on @louloumach.bsky.social ‘I Am Not Light’ ❤️‍🔥 shorturl.at/xeInp

Congratulations to Alina Stephanescu, Anthony Etherin, Colin Bancroft, Elizabeth Loudon, Glenn Barker, HLR, Jim Lloyd, Karen Havelin, Lisa J Coates, Louise Machen, Sarah Frideswide, Sarah Raybould, Saraswati Nagpal, Sean Burke and Vanessa Napolitano. #poetry #iamb #wavetwentyfive

So pleased to be included with this magnificent line-up of poets! ❤️

Communion Wafer – Louise Machen @louloumach.bsky.social atriumpoetry.com/2026/02/27/c...

We are so grateful for all the kind words and views we have had through the door since yesterday! To our staff readers: @valpoet.bsky.social @louloumach.bsky.social @paulwritespoems.bsky.social @kerrybyrne.bsky.social couldn't have done it without you. www.frazzledlit.com/p/issue-4-ha...

‘I reach for her and my fingers turn to ribbons, their doubt-cut dovetails mauling silent air.’ @louloumach.bsky.social Louise Machen from ‘I Am Not Light’ Book available at shorturl.at/PClgk

You dont have to vote for us, but we'd love it if you did! @kerrybyrne.bsky.social @paulwritespoems.bsky.social @poetval.bsky.social @louloumach.bsky.social @jmcm.bsky.social

‘there is no daylight without erasure’ Get Louise Machen’s gripping, emotional collection ‘I Am Not Light’ shorturl.at/3Hd9V @louloumach.bsky.social

When you edited a book and enjoy it even more - months later. ❤️‍🔥 @louloumach.bsky.social book ‘I Am Not Light’ is so dark and intense. Hits you, wave after wave. tinyurl.com/2xzyc5hy

Absolutely loved spending my weekend with I Am Not Light by @louloumach.bsky.social . This collection is vivid, raw, and full of blistering seascapes that made my landlocked heart sing! Grab your copy from @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social 🖤

Delighted to announce our new poetry readers for issue 4. What a superb crew! Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social Val Harris And Paul Short @paulwritespoems.bsky.social Find their bios on: frazzledlit.com So excited to get started reading your work!

‘reckless dragonfly falling into a pool of goblin blood.’ 😈 🩸 🪰 Louise Machen from ‘I Am Not Light’ @louloumach.bsky.social #poetry #writing #poetic

And the winner is @poetbex.bsky.social ✨✨✨

‘We were mirrors of each other: Clockhouse labels, Opal Fruits, laburnum flowers in our hair,’ 🪞 🍬 @louloumach.bsky.social from ‘I Am Not Light’ shorturl.at/m5IM1 #poetry #writing #books #poetic

Yessss!

BOOK GIVEAWAY! Tomorrow it’s eleven weeks since my collection was published, so I’m doing a little giveaway… 1. Like and share this post 2. Leave a comment below ⬇️ 3. Tag a poetry lover The competition will run for a week and the winner will be announced next Friday 22nd August

And there is the cave in all its glory 💚

The face of a happy poet sharing her words ❤️

For #PoemsAbout #BlackSky here is my offering (a current work in progress) @thebrokenspine.co.uk Thank you for the prompt! @alanparrywriter.co.uk

Tomorrow! We are launching our audiobook, Which Way the Words Grow. This is such a valuable project that I am extremely proud of - give it a listen! Available now on Spotify and YouTube. There’s also a documentary coming soon…

Double rainbow for a Wednesday - there’s a poem in there ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

This Sunday, get yourself down to The Carlton Club in Manchester for some brilliant poetry and music 💙

Next Friday is the in-person launch of Which Way the Words Grow - send a DM to get your ticket (only a few remaining!) This promises to be a brilliant night in an extra-special setting 💚 Available now on Spotify and YouTube

From my collection, I Am Not Light, here is a poem inspired by the Princess Victoria memorial at Portpatrick, Scotland. “Do not drown me now in their loneliness.” In Need of a Closer Shore

‘The orange moon is full with staying’ 🟠 ‘Striding azurite flecked’ Louise Machen’s ‘Lunation’ from ‘I Am Not Light’ @louloumach.bsky.social www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

The online launch for the collection is on Saturday - get your ticket on Eventbrite! 🖤🖤🖤

This is where you can find me this summer. Details of all events to follow… Grab yourself a ticket for the online launch of ‘I Am Not Light’ on Eventbrite - it’s going to be mint! eventbrite.com @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social

Our recent hot release. Louise Machen's 'I Am Not Light', her debut poetry collection. @louloumach.bsky.social 'Wade in, take the risk' blackboughpoetry.com/so/fbPV2pfPn...

'and today in your palm, where still my petrified hesitance abandons the possibility of a life' Black Bough author Louise Machen @louloumach.bsky.social with 'The Crab' (a found poem) from 'I Am Not Light'. shorturl.at/me0UM

JOIN US and book your free ticket NOW for Louise Machen's online launch of 'I Am Not Light' on Saturday 12th July, 6pm, with special guests. Unmissable! @louloumach.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/louise-mac...

‘creating legends only known to us’ ❤️‍🔥 ‘Cartographer’ by @louloumach.bsky.social From ‘I Am Not Light’. ‘These poems know ‘impossible depths / and hope of a handhold’ (John McAuliffe) www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

Fantastic couple of nights at Dare to Know Theatre regaling the audiences with poems from my book 💜

‘There is a drive and a dynamism in her poetry’ Briony Collins @brionycollins.bsky.social on Louise Machen’s @louloumach.bsky.social ‘I Am Not Light’ www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

'its friable edges decay/ with each salt breath, weathered and sunblasted' Louise Machen's 'Exposure' from her debit collection 'I Am Not Light' shorturl.at/fOtss @louloumach.bsky.social

‘One of the most exciting contemporary poets I have read’ @wendycaitlin.bsky.social on @louloumach.bsky.social ‘I Am Not Light’ www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

“and I was left with new growth.” Clearing the Wall Without Permission, from ‘I Am Not Light’ - available now from @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social Link below 👇 amzn.eu/d/1rj7PQu

Get your copy of Louise Machen’s ‘I Am Not Light’ - essential reading for the summer. Loaded, emotive poems. @louloumach.bsky.social www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

A review by stellar poet @stumcpherson.bsky.social of @louloumach.bsky.social’s ‘I Am Not Light’ - get Louise’s must-have poetry collection www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi... #poetry #books #bookclub #poetic #poet #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #writers #writing

My fabulous daughter Hope Yolanda is off on her next artistic journey to play Dorothy in this year’s Play in the Park with @thedukeslancaster.bsky.social get yourself a ticket. It’s going to be mint! 💚💚💚

Overwhelmed by this amazing review! Thank you so much @paulwritespoems.bsky.social 🙏✨

Louise Machen reads her poem inspired by Sappho from ‘I Am Not Light’. See link in bio to get the book! @louloumach.bsky.social www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi... #books #book #poetry #poetic

Louise Machen lit up Manchester this week with her book launch of ‘I Am Not Light’. @louloumach.bsky.social

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More pics of @louloumach.bsky.social launching ‘I Am Not Light’ at the Portico, Manchester, last night!

Congratulations to @louloumach.bsky.social on her launch of ‘I Am Not Light’ at The Portico, Manchester, last night!