karendownsbarton.bsky.social - Profile | ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

📢 We have had one place open up on our sold out online workshop with @pascalepetit.bsky.social this Saturday 22 Feb, 1-4pm UK. If you missed out and would like to take this up please email 📧press[at]outspokenldn[dot]com

submitted 5 days ago • 1 comment

Minx with Blackbird Feathers I’m posting my weekly update about Minx and her travels a little early as I’ll be on some travels myself midweek. I wanted to share Pascale Petit’s generous words about her with you. ‘Every poem in Minx is an enthralling read. Karen Downs-Barton’s gifts are a…

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

An excellent analysis of why we should rejoin from @yorkshirebylines.co.uk

submitted 33 days ago • 1 comment

I’m delighted to share these lovely words about my forthcoming book, Minx, by Lemn Sissay. @penguinbooks.bsky.social #PoetsOfBluesky #workingclasspoets #poets #booklaunch

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

Minx Cover Reveal I'm excited to finally be able to reveal the cover for my new collection, Minx. She's due to be released into the wide world on March 20th but here is a sneak preview of the cover. I'm sending huge thanks to Jackie Kay ( @jackiekaypoet) and Lemn Sissay ( @sissaylemn ) for their…

submitted 20 days ago • 1 comment

Recording Minx – the Audiobook I'm super excited to announce that on Friday I was at Penguin Random House with my lovely editor, Sarah Howe, to record an audiobook version of my collection. It was a wonderful day starting with a visit to Battersea Power Station for lunch - Wagamama - a new…

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Word of the day is ‘catch-fart’ (17th century: an obsequious individual who will always follow the political wind.

submitted 36 days ago • 252 comments

Word of the Day is ‘uhtcearu’ [ucht-kay-aru, with the 'ch' as in the Scottish ‘loch']: Old English for ‘the sorrow before dawn', when you lie awake in the darkness and worries crowd your mind.

submitted 46 days ago • 443 comments

From Poems to Pamphlet 22 January 2025 - 12 February 2025, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (UK), £40.00, Online. LAST THREE PLACES I'm delighted to announce that I will be running a series of four workshops for Creative Future focusing on ways to move beyond a group of poems to a successful pamphlet. The course…

submitted 47 days ago • 0 comments

I knew Elon had a bunch of kids, but I’ve only ever seen him with the one he used as a human shield after that CEO was shot.

submitted 49 days ago • 3 comments

Word of the Day is one I keep posting at the end of the year, hoping its time will come. ‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair. Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.

submitted 55 days ago • 208 comments

The End of the Affair Just when my family thought it was safe to enter the kitchen I find new ways to celebrate the end of the festive season. Mwah ha ha… A Santa that plays ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ while blowtorching the hob hood. Excellent.

submitted 57 days ago • 0 comments

Twixmas Today, the zone betwixt Christmas and New Year, was a day of preparations for the launch of Minx by Chatto and Windus. Yes, I know she won't skip into bookshops until March 20th but time is a dandelion clock in her hand and I know she'll purse her lips and blow. To keep the seeds of time…

submitted 58 days ago • 1 comment

Four years ago I was reading a poetry book when this photograph of myself and my sister Faye floated out from between its pages. I thought it had been lost forever. Wishing you all such serendipitous moments when you’re reading. #poetsonbluesky #poetsmuse #MinxOnTheRoad #childrenincare #penguinbooks

submitted 72 days ago • 0 comments

Spending a few days with family in #Devon. Tonight I’m in #Chagford and the view from my window is rather Christmasy and lovely. #Christmas #poetsmuse #MinxOnTheRoad #poetsonbluesky #writerscommunity

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

If there’s a brain drain from the US of scientists and, well, just highly-capable educated people… …we in Europe should take them in.

submitted 74 days ago • 18 comments

Thursday was somewhat eventful in #camden at the Jazz Cafe for the #tanhaicollective LP launch. #jazz #cherrybellini #perfectpizza #tempura #artichoke

submitted 80 days ago • 0 comments

Word of the morning is ‘williwaw’ (19th century): a sudden violent squall or a toppling gust of wind. Goes well with ‘thunderplump’: a sudden downpour that soaks you to the skin in seconds.

submitted 80 days ago • 169 comments

📣 It's the final week of 16 Days of Activism, which is dedicated to raising awareness and combatting gender-based violence. Over the next few days, there will be readings, a workshop, and an open mic. More info here: bit.ly/4imUbca

submitted 83 days ago • 0 comments

I’m so delighted to receive my copy of Kin, an anthology of poetry, stories, and art by women from Romani, Traveller, and nomadic communities. Nestled in there amongst all the fantastic work are three poems of my own loving their neighbours. #OpresRoma #poetsmuse #Poetsonbluesky

submitted 82 days ago • 2 comments

If youre still looking for your tribe, here’s a directory of hundreds of starter packs covering all interests and searchable by keyword. Repost and check it out.

submitted 105 days ago • 159 comments

Covid corruption commissioner starts fraud probe Well I hope he gets a lot of our money back after the Tories and their PPE corruption.. And I also hope some of the profiteering wrong 'uns go to jail Let's see. www.bbc.com/news/article...

submitted 84 days ago • 607 comments

After last night’s poetry reading (with harpist interludes!) I returned to prepare an overnight #sourdough bread. No kneading. No second rise. No fuss. But plenty of lopsided flavour. #LazyBaker #poetsmuse #healthyliving

submitted 89 days ago • 0 comments

Word of the day is ‘sequaciousness’ (16th century): the slavish and reckless following of another person in matters of thought or opinion.

submitted 91 days ago • 289 comments

Every year, GS provides Christmas Dinner for people who have been in the care system who may not have anywhere else to go on a day when family can be thin on the ground. Christmas Dinners are held around the country and they always needs funds, support and help. Details below. Please share.

submitted 90 days ago • 0 comments

East London calling. There are 50 free places for care leavers aged 18-25 yrs for Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day in Hackney. It is totally free. To make a referal please write to Kausar at this address [email protected] Via Lemn Sissay

submitted 90 days ago • 5 comments

As a person who was both ‘in care’ and needed food banks before they were a thing this initiative warmed my heart. If you can support it please do.

submitted 92 days ago • 1 comment

The end of a week of fruitfulness is a bowl of fruit salad. #kiwis #persimmon #apples #cherries and a liberal sprinkling of #seeds. Healthy if you overlook the grated #chocolate and #doublecream.

submitted 92 days ago • 0 comments

quickie for a blustery/creative day. Bert Listen. The log burner gargles the latest storm. How like the tunnel a missed train retreating underground. In an almost silent moment a mouse scuttled between my feet and the wonky-wheeled suitcase. #stormbert #poetsmuse #itscoldoutside #poetsonbluesky

submitted 93 days ago • 0 comments

Reposting this long poem that I saw on Jo’s feed @jobratten.bsky.social It’s so blustery here that I’ve forgone my 4mile walk to the shops and we’re living off store cupboard stuff. #stormbert #poetsmuse #itscoldoutside

submitted 93 days ago • 1 comment

Today my fruitfulness is courtesy of the colours green and purple. Marinated aubergines (technically fruit 🤣) with tahini sauce and smashed spiced avocado (also technically a fruit 😇) with purple potatoes and broad beans. #healthyliving #poetsmuse #poetscancook #poetsofbsky #itscoldoutside

submitted 93 days ago • 0 comments

The week of fruitfulness moves on apace with baked spaghetti squash (technically a fruit) with mushrooms and pesto, followed by persimmons. #fruitfulness #squash #persimmons #poetsmuse #healthyliving

submitted 94 days ago • 1 comment

The blue plaque which commemorates the celebration of the discovery of the structure of DNA has finally been updated to acknowledge Rosalind Franklin. #womeninSTEM 😍 newn.cam.ac.uk/newnham-news...

submitted 97 days ago • 13 comments

If you are doing your Christmas shopping ...

submitted 95 days ago • 0 comments