Wildlife

Did you know that bumble bees can vibrate their bodies at the pitch of a middle C? It’s a remarkable skill, something they do to get flowers to release their pollen. I have written a poem about it, and it’s one of my favourite ones to read aloud. It gets a great reaction from the audience, mainly, I think, because it is joyful. “I am more than you,” the poem declares. “I am a musical note.” There is defiance, and delight, and magic in trying to climb inside a bee’s perspective and understand how it must feel to resonate at that perfect pitch, to be in such harmony with the world. It’s this joy in nature that has spurred me to write both of my poetry collections, though in different ways. Read the full feature about how Rae's love of nature has informed both of her poetry collections on Nation.Cymru

Wonderful news! Congratulations Christina Thatcher , longlisted for the National Poetry Competition! Read More

' What a nice surprise for publication day! My book on ITV news at the Hay bookshop' Watch the clip via Rae's Facebook

  When a local common is threatened with development, one poet explores its secrets, discovering extraordinary natural treasures and wonderful people fighting to defend them. Can they save this uncommon common? This Common Uncommon , the second collection from poet Rae Howells is available now! Pick up your copy in your local bookshop or direct from our website. A lovely 5 star review up on Goodreads today too: 'Howells’ poems shriek with the wonder of discovery ... She is intoxicated by the Common, forced to rework language in an effort to encompass what she finds ... I admire the collection so much, wild in every possible way ... But there’s an urgency to the work here for “this soft flank of earth” is under threat. Developers wish to transform the anonymous “Land North of Chestnut Avenue” into affordable housing in a process which will sweep the astonishing Common away. Local resistance is growing and these poems in part illuminate and record that effort ... But most of all the

 ' Ideas abound in Fox Bites , a bold, ambitious new novel from Cardiff-based Lloyd Markham... a dark and genuinely gripping work of fantasy horror.' – Joshua Rees, Buzz Magazine Pick Fox Bites up from our website or your favourite bookshop Read the Buzz review in full

"I decided to set the novel in Zimbabwe. Not out of any desire to reclaim an estranged national identity or ‘authenticity’. In fact the opposite compelled me. I wanted to write something that re-enacted my estrangement. The authentic becoming inauthentic. Familiarity collapsing into the absurd and horrific. The small, simple, fragile life of a child colliding with immense forces both political and cosmic..." Read the feature in full on Nation.Cymru

 

Thanks to  Sophie Buchaillard and Nation.Cymru for this wonderful review of Georgia Carys Williams's Unspeakable Beauty ! "an elegant psychological exploration of obsessive behaviours, be that the physical and psychological demands placed on an aspiring ballerina; or the predatory tendencies of a man who comes to objectify a woman made vulnerable by her quiet nature... a lyrical, compelling and addictive read" Read the review in full on Nation.Cymru

A wonderful launch at Swansea Waterstones for Georgia Carys Williams’ debut novel Unspeakable Beauty last night. I was working in Swansea Waterstones about 20 years ago now and it is lovely to be back there doing events. Next up the launch of This Common Uncommon , the new poetry collection by Rae Howells on 26th June! I picked up the first copies of this on my way home last night and it looks beautiful! Today I’m off to the Creative Industries Day at Cardiff Uni to take part in the Publishing Panel… see some of you there!

  We are pleased to publish an extract from the debut novel by  Georgia Carys Williams. Dad had laid the earth and Mam had planted the scenery, a place where our dreams had enough space and light to come to life Georgia Carys Williams Read the extract in full on Nation.Cymru

 

  A lovely first review in for Unspeakable Beauty ... ' Unspeakable Beauty is perfectly measured; reading this novel is often a breathtaking pleasure... A truly impressive achievement from a rising star of Welsh literature.' – Gosia Buzzanca Read the review in full on Buzz

Image Works at Cardiff University is delighted to welcome photographic artist, Julie Sleaford, and poet Christina Thatcher, for an evening exploring the intricate relationship between humans and horses.  This event will feature a film installation showcasing Julie Sleaford’s photographic project  The Problem Horse & Other Stories,  a dark meditation on horses, the landscape, still life and performative photographs of herself. Sleaford creates an unsettling, many layered narrative contemplating the human fears and desires that underpin our relationship with horses.  Christina Thatcher will read poems during the evening, inspired by Sleaford’s photographs. Thatcher’s recent work is an investigation of silence, goodness and girlhood in the farm space. Her forthcoming poetry collection,  Breaking a Mare , explores the connections between women and horses as well as our response to threat and the things which break us. In their Q&A session, Sleaford and Thatcher will delve further i