The end is the beginning

The end for me in this case is the end of my studies at Edinburgh Napier - my cybersecurity masters is complete although it will be July before I graduate officially. I took time out I suppose to finetune my geek side but the poetry never stopped of course. Alongside the study, the day job, birds, orienteering, travel and family, I managed to get new poetry out in some fantastic publications: what a joy it is when the acceptance note comes in!

A pretty list below:

• The Cormorant
• Causeway/Cabhsair
• The Interpreter’s House
• The Writers’ Cafe
• HU 
• Abridged
• Algebra of Owls
• Gutter
• Ink Sweat & Tears
• Northwords Now 
• Ambit 
• Pure Slush
• Under the Radar
• The Blue Nib
• Eildon Tree

And many thanks to the editors and others - you know who you are - for keeping the faith while some percentage of my mind was untangling hex etc.

So now it comes time to get back to the The exact colour of snow manuscript " a book of weather & maps" which now needs to be supplemented with my copious notes of walks, absent buildings and birds. Before I have found it daunting to write the book but assembling a circa 20000 dissertation over the past 6 months has deleted any worries on that score.  Around about June I should have something but if you are interested in taking a peek with a view to publishing - a dm on Twitter or through the usual email here will do the job.

Currently writing a poem about salt and mangroves inspired by this Jurassic pond in Bo'ness - so back to business as usual.

Stuff coming up in Spring

Mostly it is revision which of course immediately sent me into the hills to take photographs of snow.

You can see that and a few other photos on p&g insta if you are interested.

New poetry is out in Ambit

And also in Northwords Now Issue 35

And advance alert that ink sweat and tears is featuring a poem of mine on April 18th .

I am delighted to be featured in all these excellent publications alongside many other great poets and artists.

I will also be doing some geek stuff in Paris on security for API the Docs so if that is also your bag perhaps will see you there.

Just click on the pictures to find out more. Thanks and more from me once my university exams are  over next month.

Bit late for St Bridget's day

A very pleasurable start to the new year with 2 beautiful magazines Ambit and Under the Radar arriving on my doorstep featuring many delights including some of my poems.

You buy copies here and here.

Garden and bird projects continue and I will post on this in a bit.

Also been hanging around some Dublin universities and checking out Xbox gamertags for ladies.

More on this on insta and twitter - enjoy. I will leave you with the mission of finding your own way there. Tip: if in doubt, look up.

Stuff that is happening now

My computer seems to be predicting the end of days.

However I am confident some poems of mine will appear in Ambit 231 which is out January 2018.

You can find out more about Ambit here.

Launch of Ambit 211 London 31st January 2013

Ambit is a literary magazine started by a doctor. "Ambit is put together entirely from unsolicited, previously unpublished poetry and short fiction submissions."

This event occurs at the pleasantly named The Owl Bookshop  from 7pm.

There will be a reading to celebrate the new magazine including poet Angela Kirby and Iranian writer in exile Navid Hamzavi. Wine and the chance to buy the new issue...

Entry charge is free.

Location: The Owl Bookshop, 209 Kentish Town Road, NW5

Find out more here http://www.ambitmagazine.co.uk/ and the Owl here http://www.facebook.com/owlbooks