The process of working with an editor is certainly a confidence booster - especially when this is a poem that I don't like!

Big brave steps this week of beginning work on the first draft of my first poetry collection, with an editor. Baby loss is not an easy subject to read or write about. And its quite vulnerable to put something so personal out in public - so far all the feedback is great and the suggestions sensitive

October is pregnancy and baby loss awareness month, so I'm joining in with #captureyourgrief. Day 1's prompt is Sunrise.

My tiny bundle of fluff was viciously attacked at exmouth beach last night by two dogs. They crushed his chest and broke his leg in 3 places. I pulled one dog off but didn't see the other. Their horrible owner shouted at me for having my dog on a lead 😭 he needs surgery to fix or amputate his leg

An extract from my poem All You Would Have Been. September is tough after baby loss, a constant reminder of what should have been. #griefpoem #poetrycommunity #stillbirth

If anyone would like to make a donation in Finley's memory, on his 16th birthday, you can do so here www.facebook.com/share/19Mrjg... . It will go to the charity we set up, to provide parents with the support we didn't have available

Happy 16th birthday in the clouds Finley.

16 years feels like a lifetime ago - and yesterday. #stillbirth #babyloss #poetry #poem #griefpoem #griefrecovery #griefpoetry #imwriting

I should be planning a 16th birthday party, but I'm decorating a grave instead.

One thing i love about writing, is exploring to find things to write about. We are visiting family in the Midlands today, so stopped to look at the rock houses carved into the sandstone at Kinver Edge. Such a fascinating history dating back to 1745.

Pondering emotions today. Do you think a poetry collection needs to leave readers feeling happy/hopeful/inspired? Or is it ok that the story doesn't have a happy ending 😁 feeling the need to fix my imaginary readers

Last year a friend asked if she could create an exhibition for her Masters degree in Fine Art using my poetry. At that point I hadn't published anything, just a few posts on Facebook. This blackout piece was taken from a #poem that demands action on preventing #stillbirth.

*can you help* #poets I'm looking for some symbolic #poemsabout forgiveness. Poems that imply "i forgive you" without saying those words. Metaphorical poems where there is a symbol of forgiveness hidden within

Scientists announce a whole world solar eclipse. It feels somewhat appropriate that this will fall on my dead son's birthday. Our whole world fell dark that day. We lived our own eclipse.

A session of intentional writing today in nature. I'd like to add a handful of new poems to the first draft of my book. A new feeling... to sit and try to formulate sensible words. Usually poems or phrases arrive nearly fully baked in my mind 💁 #imwriting #firstdraft #poetry #poet #poetrylovers

Yesterday was a big step in my journey as a writer. I spoke to an editor, and am hoping to self publish my first poetry collection in November. He asked me to send a couple of poems so that we could get a sense of each other's work... And this was the lovely response I recieved. ❤️

Hope is a beautiful thing, to rediscover it. To welcome it anew. The sunrise brings a sense of wonder, magic, awe - and hope. If the sun manages to rise, so can we! I met with an editor this morning. One step closer to releasing this collection into the world. 💫 #newpoetry #imwriting #poetrydebut

July and August are sometimes tough times for me. And this year is feeling heavier than it has for a while. 16 years ago I was impatiently waiting out the last month of my 3rd pregnancy, waiting to see if this time I'd have a baby. Sadly it wasn't meant to be. Writing has always been a release.

My #poetry collection 'Maiden Mother Crone' is out in the world,🙏 @seacrowpress.bsky.social It has allowed me to speak the truths of my deepest self. There is power in that. Available where good books are sold. #BookRelease #writingcommunity @storiesalt.bsky.social @womenwritersnet.bsky.social

Andrea Gibson. Poet. Powerhouse. Beacon of hope. Lover of life and the world. You will be missed forever 13/8/1975-14/7/2025

Occurs to me that since I migrated here from The Other Place, I'd not actually shared my own books! So here's the most recent one: 20, a book of, er, 20 poems about being, well, 20 in the 1990s. published by the very fab Drunk Muse Press in 2023. I've a few copies here. Do PM me if you'd like one.

Salt in the Wound is out now riverandceliainunderland.com

There are poems that come through whole, in one piece, smoothly birthed on the outward breath... And there are poems that wriggle and squirm, poking you uncomfortably as they painfully descend a line at a time.

I had such an inspiring weekend at a #poetry retreat at Alfoxton Park #Buddhist Centre this weekend. A joy to be on the land. Take a look at their ambitious campaign to raise £120,000 - a very funny campaign video! justgiving.com/campaign/alf...

I often wonder how many embryonic poems lay forgotten, buried in a notes app, obscured by shopping lists and to do lists...

There is always something beautiful about taking a moment in nature. The season is changing, the blossoms are falling and being replaced by the bright colours of summer.

Today I sought solace in the hills, away from the scary news. Take a breather. Find respite. Journey with me in these next 5 photos. Sunshine and soft grass await - but sometimes you need to wipe the dust and cobwebs, clear the obstacles to be able to see it. #mindfulness #poeticjourney #imwriting 1

✒️CALL FOR POETRY SUBMISSIONS✒️ This is our first web-based anthology called Butterflies Submit your Butterfly Moth themed works. ✨ Deadline: March 31st ✨ Submit here: verseve.gabriellev.art/call-for-sub... #poetry #callforentry #writers #poets #anthology #poetrysubmissions

Walking our dog several times a day, in the same places, throughout all the seasons has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature. I always enjoy meeting the heron. They're such patient birds, able to stand still, watching and waiting for the right moment.

Can you help? When I'm not being a poet, I'm running a #babyloss charity. We've had a heartbreaking request for support, to help a homeless family say goodbye to their 16 day old baby. They'd love a horse and carriage. Can you share or donate to help us raise £895? www.facebook.com/donate/65405...

Over 150 calls for submissions of poetry, fiction, flash, non-fiction, art, photography & more - competitions, literary journals, residencies, bursaries etc - open or with deadlines in February 2025. Best of luck & pls share! www.thisiswordbox.com/wordbox-blog...

The Open University/Institute of English Studies are delivering a series of 3 Seminars on Creative Writing and Neurodivergence Tue 18 Feb 2025 to Tue 4 Mar 2025. The seminars are free, but booking is essential. Details in the link. Please share :)

Issue 20 Spotlight by @ironbrewer.bsky.social 🧡 Read: https://buff.ly/4aHDXXT

I love a wander through the woods of The Quantocks. Trees falling down, losing branches always makes me sad. This one brought a little smile, with its heart shaped wound.

Blessings Of Imbolc, as the wheel turns on. I work with grieving parents. This season mirrors their grief journey. The time when they emerge from the raw darkness of early grief, into the twilight. The inbetween time. A snowdrop blooming into a changed, frozen world warmed by a glimpse of the sun.

A trip to Glastonbury today for a friend's book launch and the Tor wanted to show of why they call it the Isle Of Avalon. So much flood water around today.

#OnyxStorm Review! Spoiler Free! Spoilers and theories coming…👀 #booksky #romancelandia 📚💙🌶️🔥⏰

It’s a great collection! Our first print venture with a single author.

I have book grief. Is that a thing? Waited so long for it to be released, inhaled it in 3 days. Now distraught at the ending and not having the answers and having to wait another year for book 4. **tantrums in grown up stomps** #fourthwing #dragons #romantasy

Gorgeous sunset seaglass hunt & swim this evening. Chilly 6 degrees, lush start to the new year.

Standing at the threshold to a new year, I pause in reflection. All I can say is that it's been a year. Good bits, bad bits, happy bits, sad bits, scary bits, exciting bits, chilled bits, lively bits. The scales are just about balanced, but it's been an ongoing battle to keep them that way.

I must be psychic. Currently enjoying writing for Beth Kempton's Winter Writing Sanctuary and prompt 4 for today is Doorways 😁 I now have lots of photographic inspiration from Dunster.

In the annual "get the teenager off the xbox" trip, I was told there's nothing to do in Dunster. I present to you irrefutable proof that Dunster is not boring. Here is Doors Of Dunster 🤣🤣.

Winter solstice is one of my favourite times of the year. Reflection, slowing down, connection with nature, preparing the seedlings that my heart may nurture in the coming cycle. From candle lit ceremony, to sunrise cold swims, my heart is full. Ready for Beth Kempton's winter writing sanctuary soon

There, among the stripped back hedgerow, there among the flexing boughs, she found it. Fleeting, a glimpse of brighter days, and warmer skies promised. Hope shone out in nature's defiance. #poem #poetrycommunity #imwriting #naturepoem

"When a writer leans on cliché, they’re letting the surface of the world stand in for what’s underneath it. And that’s where poetry really lives – in the depths, in the awkward angles, in the images that surprise us into paying attention." 🌿 Latest blog post: natalieholborow.com/2024/12/17/a...

As the moon attempts to outshine the street lamps, the blackbird song drowns out the sirens. Heralding change amid new hope.

A magical birthday - full moon swim in a calm Lyme Regis. I will never tire of the magic in the way the moonbeams dance on the top of the ocean. There is a gentle pleasure that not many know, of floating in an empty sea, dressed in silver light and shivers. #poetrycommunity #imwriting #coldwaterswim

Has booked a christmas poetry event on wednesday 18th... Helpfully written christmas poetry in my calender but no other details 😂 anyone running an event that i might have booked on to 🤣🤣🙈