Today’s poem for Remembrance Day is by Georg Trakl. German military losses in World War One amounted to 2 million dead. #poetry #war #germany #translation #trakl

I can now confirm that my essay about the Black Country entitled “From Dusseldorf to Dudley (via Darlington)” is scheduled for publication in May/June 2026 by Zero Books. The title of the volume containing my essay is “Transformer: Writing the Black Country”. #booksky #writing

Today’s Trakl poem. His last. My translation naturally. #poetry #booksky #translation

Shortlisted this time.

Ten perfect years of submitting my work for no reward. I really must keep it up.

Imagine sending this gibberish to an author.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba... Made me laugh.

Put a filter on my incoming emails. The words “book trailer“ mean automatic deletion. Let’s see if this works.

Another autumn poem by Georg Trakl. My translation of course from Autumnal Elegies. #trakl #poetry #booksky

As I near 800 followers allow me to introduce myself. I’m a working-class writer/translator, the author of six self-published books. My work is however despised by the middle-class gatekeepers who control UK publishing. An essay I wrote about the Black Country is due to be published by Zero Books.

Some writing news. I was long listed by the Bridport Prize. #writing #booksky

linktr.ee/michaelkjarvie Just a reminder where you can find me. I’m poor and working class so as a self published author that means I can’t afford a website. So I do the best I can with free resources.

Today’s Trakl poem. My translation of course. #trakl #poetry #booksky #translation

One of my earliest videos, a pitch for my Trakl translation Autumnal Elegies. As it turned out, Unbound weren’t interested in my book. Because I’m working class, they implied I wouldn’t be able to raise the finance, so I self-published instead. I still have the t shirt. youtu.be/-lYEcRNR2uA?...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpp7... I’ve recorded a new video about my novel in progress The Sharp Judge. #writing #booksky #germany #hitler

The Nobel Prize for Literature no less.

Latest total: 28,159 words. The Sharp Judge forging ahead. #booksky

More new material. This time it’s book burning. Soon be burning people. From my work in progress The Sharp Judge. The gatekeepers won’t like it but maybe you will. #reading #writing #dusseldorf #booksky

I’m on a roll (forgive the terrible pun). I’ve drafted another chapter for The Sharp Judge with even more lovely baked goodies on display. #writing #indie #germany

Wonderful.

63 sales so far this month. 625 in total. Not bad for an unknown working class translator. #poetry #translation

Back to school with my current work in progress The Sharp Judge. #weimar #literature #dusseldorf

Cologne cathedral is mentioned in my work in progress. You wonder how those twin spires survived all the bombing. Almost miraculous you might say given that the building was hit 14 times. #writing #Cologne #war

Always nice to be in good company with the masters. #poetry #indie #translation

Tonight’s view. #debussy #wagner #rachmaninov #glasshouse

Today’s photo.

For info. These are the total earnings for my book Autumnal Elegies since it was published in 2019. #poetry #trakl #indie

Writing another chapter to be included in my novel The Sharp Judge. Postmen feature in all of my books of fiction, so here’s another example. #wip #war #germany #writing

www.goodreads.com/book/show/44... despite selling 620 copies, my book only has 3 reviews and 14 ratings. That’s what happens when you’re a working-class writer.

Has everyone been raptured on here? Seems quiet as a fucking grave these days. Where’s all the bastard writers? Are you fucking shy or what?

The middle-class gatekeepers may have hated it, but the poetry aficionados aren’t of that opinion. Latest sales. #poetry #translation

Three poetry workshops in Darlington library. And yes, my proofreading head is always active so I did see it! Anyway, why not get yourself along if you live in the area.

Latest rejection.

This is a comment from a few years ago in connection with a YouTube video I made about my book Autumnal Elegies. “I’m stunned as to how this wasn’t picked up by any publishing house.” Quite.

I’m working class which is why this book signing was done in a bus shelter not a book shop.

linktr.ee/michaelkjarvie I only have £50 in my bank account because I’m a working-class writer so now would be a good time to buy one of my books. #workingclass #writing #teading

youtu.be/ItNqLSLYirQ?... I just came across this discussion of Grodek which uses my English translation. #trakl #poetry

What’s the flag situation like? I haven’t checked today. Are the daft cunts still at it with their butcher’s apron and flag of St George?

Love it.

Latest swag. #marx #books #reading

Latest total. Over the years an American university professor has enthused about the book along with an American film maker who has left a glowing review. The only people not impressed are the middle-class snobs who control the UK publishing industry.

This is where neoliberalism gets you.

The next general election will have only two three word slogans: Stop the Boats and Save Our Flags. The NHS, wages, education, pensions, utility prices will be completely irrelevant. The Labour Party will portray itself as the flaggiest of them all. But the voters will choose Reform instead.

Nice one. If you claim to be socialist you need to be whiter than white. Rayner is just a money grubbing Corbyn backstabbing careerist.

When you’re a poor working class writer free resources are your go to. Although I can’t afford to travel abroad to research my novel like middle class writers do no problem, the internet is a great resource and it’s free. Can’t afford a website? Get Linktree instead. #writing #workingclass

Angela Rayner is toast.

Latest haul. #books

August was a decent month sales wise. Many thanks to all those new readers. Don’t worry, I’m still despised by the gatekeepers such as New Writing North, the big five UK publishers and the middle-class world of literary agents. So God’s in his heaven and all’s right with the world. #reading #indie

Up next.

Still going strong. A working-class translator is something to be. #poetry #translation