A brand new feature from Northern Gravy. News direct to your inbox covering our thoughts on all things Poetry, Fiction and writing for Children. Plus tips on how to get published by us!
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How to and how not to write a memoir, with Vicky Foster (18th July, 2024.)
Vicky Foster is an award-winning writer, performer and poet who has broadcast extensively across the BBC. In this practical workshop, Vicky Foster discusses her new memoir, “It Happened Like This.” There will also be essential exercises on how you could write one too!
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TWELFTH EDITION
Edition Twelve is here, and it marks the end of year two of Northern Gravy. Two years is, paradoxically, both a long time and a very short time. It seems like only yesterday we were […]
Where Everybody Knows Your Name by Russ Thomas
Author of the DS Adam Tyler series Fire watching, Nighthawking and Cold Reckoning. Published by Simon & Schuster in the UK and by G.P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin Random House) in the US. I’m represented by Sarah Hornsley of Peters, Fraser + Dunlop.
Poems by Wendy Dossett
Wendy Dossett lives in rural Eryri. She’s fascinated by the experiences classified in some forms of Buddhism as craving, desire and aversion. She’s drawn to earth-bound and narrative sources of healing and hope that fully acknowledge the realities of suffering and inadequacy.
I Applaud as Stars Shoot Across the Sky by Emma Burnett
Just like I applaud when she makes dinner appear on the table like magic, or when she manifests tickets to the coolest new shows in town. She likes the recognition, likes to be seen. It’s something I noticed about her, even on our first date, when she made the wilting restaurant flowers re-bloom, and I had gasped in wonder.
Poems by Arlette Manasseh
Arlette Manasseh likes films, novels, poetry and chocolate. Some of her favourite reads are middle grade verse novels. These poems are taken from a verse novel she is writing about a thirteen year old girl called Breeze who lives in a small coastal town, where bullying has become a big problem.
Poems by Matt Gilbert
Matt Gilbert is a freelance copywriter. Originally from Bristol, he currently gets his fill of urban hills in South East London. He has had poems published by Acumen, Atrium, Finished Creatures and The Storms among others. He also writes a blog about place, books, poetry and other distractions at richlyevocative.net.
The Pros and Cons of Conditioning by Laura Besley
I research how to make my boys’ hair grow faster: I wash it in special shampoo and ignore them when they complain I rinse it in cold water; I make them take additional vitamins after breakfast and massage their scalps while they’re watching TV; I buy a special brush with bristly bristles to distribute their natural oils and I do this two, three, four times per day.
When The Moon Goes Down by Kelly Burden
Kelly Burden is a primary school Teaching Assistant, living in West Sussex with her husband and young daughter. She recently graduated with distinction from The University of Winchester’s MA in Writing for Children and is currently working on her first middle-grade novel.
Poems by Hannah Stone
Hannah Stone lives in Leeds, where she is involved in various community poetry events, including as convenor of the poet-composers forum for Leeds Lieder, compere of the monthly Wordspace open mic in Horsforth and free lance work as poet-theologian for Leeds Church Institute as well as events at East Leeds Community FM Radio.
Tough Love by Ava Sedgwick
“You need fattening up.” Mrs Murphy slapped another ladleful of boiled turnip onto her grown son’s plate. “Anyone would think I wasn’t feeding you.” Three months ago, when Alan returned to the nest, she bought him a set of matching shirts with the same confidence as she used to buy his nappies.
Poems by Sinéad Callanan
Sinéad Callanan is a teacher and poet from Limerick, Ireland. She is currently completing a Masters in Children’s Literature and Media. Her work has appeared in PaperBound Magazine, Little Thoughts Press and Paper Lanterns. Even more of her work has gone into making her friends, family and young pupils laugh.
Poems by Steve Denehen
Steve Denehan lives in Kildare, Ireland with his wife Eimear and daughter Robin. He is the author of two chapbooks and five poetry collections. Winner of the Anthony Cronin Poetry Award and twice winner of Irish Times’ New Irish Writing, his numerous publication credits include Poetry Ireland Review and Westerly.
Bernauer Strasse, 13th August 1961 by Emma Venables
I stand on Bernauer Strasse, looking at metal curls, wondering how high I can jump; whether I should be wearing trousers rather than a summer dress; whether I really should chance my luck now – maybe the rumours of concrete blocks to come, obscuring the view as well as the access to the other side of the street are false.
Poems by Mark Bird
Mark Bird is a children’s poet and teacher. He was born in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and now lives in London. Mark’s debut picture book, ‘Halloween Date From Hell’ came out in October 2022. Mark has featured in The Caterpillar, Gill Education’s ‘Over The Moon’ series, Brian Moses’ ‘The Best Ever Book of Funny Poems’ anthology and many magazines.
The Secrets to Writing for Children – Create, Educate, Illuminate! – Thursday, 18th April, 2024.
Want to write for primary aged readers? This interactive workshop has the secrets you need to write stories and poems for kids!
An Introduction to the Eleventh Edition
Welcome 2024 is upon us, and with it comes many new things. Spring lambs, poets sitting in meadows beside babbling brooks (sorry Ralph!), and a flurry of new writing. It’s also a time for seeing […]
WRITING POETRY FOR CHILDREN by Brian Moses
Brian Moses has been a professional children’s poet since 1988.. To date he has over 220 books published and over 1 million copies sold. His new book On Poetry Street will be published in May.
Poems by Linda Middleton
Linda lives in a leafy corner of England and is passionate about inspiring others with her poetry for children. Her work has been published widely online and in journals and anthologies.
Gavin Jones – The Constellation of the Little Fox
“If you know what you’re listening for, and you concentrate hard enough, you’ll hear them up here, away from it all. We’ll see them.”
I listen. A fox barks.
Poems by Joe Williams
Joe Williams is a writer and performing poet from Leeds. His latest book is ‘The Taking Part’, a short collection of poems on the theme of sport and games, published by Maytree Press.
Decisions, Decisions by Laura Cooney
You are on a quest to save the forest. Exhausted you sleep for the first time in three days, and awake to find that you are in a dark woodland glade …
The IRA Bombed Brighton in 1984 by Stephen Sharp
1
A tabby was sleeping by four ripening peaches as its feeder asked: do Jesuits make the best writers?
‘Your eyes are moist’.
Poems by Hilary Elder
Hilary (she/her) was born, raised and lives in the Far North of England – though she has been to other places. She writes fiction and poetry for children and adults, runs workshops and does collaborative projects.
Two Hundred Years is a Long Time by June Gemmell
I pressed myself into the soft shadows as the dark figure hovered a few feet away. Pencil thin, dressed in a frock-coat and top hat, he seemed to be looking for someone. He may have breathed my name just then, but it was faint, a mere murmur.
Cate West – The Thumb
His uncle was famous for shooting his thumb off while climbing a stile. He’d show you the result, given half a chance, thin hard hands cupped and shaking, the left side whittled, a seam of scarring.
Poems by Rob Walton
Rob Walton is a working class writer from Scunthorpe, who now lives in Whitley Bay. His poems, flash fictions and short stories for adults and children have appeared in various anthologies and magazines in the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.
Poems by Jane Thorp
Jane Thorp has had many poems published in magazines. She won the Yeovil Literary Prize for Poetry in 2023. She was shortlisted in The Plough Poetry Prize 2013, children’s category, and has been commended and shortlisted in other poetry prizes.
Angry by Bob Johnston
Lord Serriorth’s name originated on an island far to the west. It related to anger, and he embraced that without even knowing the fact. He was simply a furious person, from the moment he woke in the morning, until the last moment he fell into bed, huffing, puffing and enraged about something or other.
Poems by Carson Wolfe
Carson Wolfe (they/she) is a Mancunian poet and winner of New Writing North’s Debut Poetry Prize (2023). Their work has appeared or is forthcoming with Rattle, The Rumpus, The North, New Welsh Review, and Evergreen Review.
Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror, edited by Jordan Peele.
Horror, as the old quote goes, is primarily a fear of the unknown. I make no assumptions that I understand what it’s like to not be White, which was one of the things that drew me to this anthology, aside from it having filmmaker Jordan Peele’s name prominently attached.
THUD! – Review
Sometimes you want one of those fancy restaurants where they serve you a dollop of something with a smear of something else on the side. Something that pushes boundaries, explores things, takes bold and provocative risks
And sometimes you just want a burger.
2023 WILKO JOHNSON WRITING AWARD – THE WINNERS
The Louder Than Words festival in partnership with Northern Gravy, Louder than War, Omnibus Press and the University of Huddersfield are delighted to announce the winners of the 2023 Wilko Johnson Writing Award.
Grow Your Own Love Poem with Toria Garbutt
Discover the art of capturing your memories and transforming them into immortal verse with acclaimed poet Toria Garbutt.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being – Review
Rick Rubin has left an indelible mark on the history of music. He’s the man who revitalised Jonny Cash’s career. He cofounded Def Jam records and helped popularise hip hop. He been behind the boards on some of the biggest albums of the last 40 years.
An Introduction to the Tenth Edition
That’s “Editions old”, not “Years old”, by the way, but still, it’s a significant milestone and one we’re delighted to be celebrating. Ten has such a lovely ring to it, someone ought to put an album out just called Ten. It’s a pearl of a name, very catchy for some musical jams.
Steve Ely – Fly Dream of a Casino Soul
Steve Ely’s most recent publications are Lectio Violant, The European Eel and Lives of British Shrews. A book-length poem, Eely, is imminently forthcoming from Longbarrow Press. He teaches Creative Writing at the University of Huddersfield where he is also Director of the Ted Hughes Network
The Lure of the Ice by Christine Collinson
My Mistress heard that the Queen shoots a longbow and has set herself to the same. As we tread the frozen river, ice all about us like the blue-white wastes of the underworld, I pull my cloak tighter to my shoulders.
Poems by Di Slaney
Di Slaney lives in Nottinghamshire where she runs livestock sanctuary Manor Farm Charitable Trust and independent publisher Candlestick Press. She was the winner of The Plough Poetry Prize 2022 and Slipstream Open Poetry Competition 2023.
Poems by Debi Knight
Debi Knight is a Neuro-diverse poet and short story writer based in West Yorkshire who considers herself a lifelong student. She writes the life she sees and feels around her – exploring connections between humans, nature and the effects of modern life on all.
Your Heart, In This Chest by Katie McIvor
All the seas are one creature. Of molten metal, iron-coloured, she has tsunamis for claws and white wave-crests for ears. Your ship rolls on her uncountable shoulders.
Poems by Rosie Garland
Rosie Garland is a writer and singer with post-punk band The March Violets, Rosie Garland has a passion for language nurtured by public libraries. Her poetry collection ‘What Girls do the Dark’ (Nine Arches Press) was shortlisted for the Polari Prize.
Poems by Sarah Ziman
Sarah Ziman is a poet from Wales who likes cats, crisps, cake, reading and rhyme. She dislikes writing bios. She won the YorkMix Poems for Children Prize 2021, and has poems in The Caterpillar, The School Magazine, The Toy, PaperBound, Paper Lanterns, Tyger Tyger, Little Thoughts Press, The Dirigible Balloon, Cricket, and anthologies by Macmillan and Pomelo Books.
Near Pen-clawdd, 1854, by Hetty Mosforth
A girl’s scream stills two dozen sieving hands. The sound carries across the sand flats and salt water pools, catching in the cliffs that confine the bay. Women, previously bent double and scattered along the shore, cluster around the girl.
Poems by Sam Szanto
Sam Szanto lives in Durham. Her collaborative pamphlet, ‘Splashing Pink’ was recently published by Hedgehog Press and is a Poetry Book Society Winter 2023 Pamphlet Choice. Her pamphlet ‘This Was Your Mother’ was one of the winners of the 2023 Dreich Slims Contest and will be published in 2024.
Poems by Leigh Manley
Leigh Manley is a new poet from Wales. He likes watching rugby, drinking cups of tea, acting silly, and making up fun words and sentences! He is currently part of Literature Wales’ ‘Representing Wales’ writers’ development programme for 2023/24 and he’s had work published with The Dirigible Balloon. He is working on his first poetry collection for curious children and the young at heart.
Stone Baby by Han Whiteoak
While rinsing the pink gravel from the fish tank, I sneak a handful into my mouth. The rounded stones rattle around my teeth, massaging my tongue, before tickling their way down my throat.
