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Pick Your Own—Amanda Bonnick
Amanda Bonnick’s debut pamphlet ‘Pick Your Own’ was launched April 2019 at Drummonds Bar, Worcester. Readings, guest poets and music led to an amazing evening enjoyed by all present.
Reviews
Pick Your Own is a beautiful collection of poems which prove that time travel is, in fact, possible. The childhood memories are particularly impressive and well captured. The sense of loss, of a father and of a child self, permeates the collection. There are moments that caught my heart – especially in Creature – and many that tugged at my own memories. I look forward to revisiting this collection many times.
Susan Davidson—actor and poet.
These poems paint a vivid portrait of a girl negotiating the awkward passage to adulthood while coming to terms with her father’s death.That they never become maudlin or overly-nostalgic is a testament to Amanda Bonnick’s skill as a poet. From the subtle use of kennings, to the nod to Heaney in ‘Weeding’, these poems are aware of poetic tradition but move beyond it into something new. These are poems that know that even if prayer doesn’t work, sometimes it is important to pray,
and they are prayers to terrestrial gods, including fathers, boys, and nature.
Ben Parker—poet-in-residence at The Museum of Royal Worcester (2015), poet-in-residence at The Swan Theatre, Worcester (2016).
Amanda’s pamphlet is available direct from Black Pear Press.
Get your copy direct from Black Pear Press £5.00 plus P&P:
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Griff by Mogs—Launch details
Two Reviews
Here are two of the latest reviews for Heather Wastie’s Don’t Oil The Hinges:
“I’m enjoying Don’t Oil the Hinges enormously… I love the way Heather weaves introductions into the book, I’ve never seen this done before and it creates a lovely, intimate reading experience.”
Nancy Campbell, Canal Laureate
“You can’t help but warm to Heather Wastie’s enthusiasm, creativity, and zest in putting poetry at the heart of a community.”
Greg Freeman (Write Out Loud)
£6 +P&P
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A Review of Michael W. Thomas’s ‘The Portswick Imp’
5* Amazon Review from E.M. Eames
“This is a fine collection of humane tales by a consistently excellent author of both prose and poetry.
The title story was the first to grab me, and I was delighted to find that all the other pieces matched it in quality. Thomas has perfected a blend of quiet humour and telling social commentary. These are timeless tales.”
Congratulations–Michael Wheatley
Black Pear Press is delighted to award the first Black Pear Press Prize For Fiction to University of Worcester graduate Michael Wheatley.
Max & Luchia–The Game Makers
Kevin Brooke’s second novel for young readers of 7-11 (but everyone will love it) Max & Luchia–The Game Makers is receiving rave reviews! Max & Luchia–The Game Makers takes you on a magical journey into an online game invented by the imagination of Max & Luchia.
Illustrated throughout by the super-talented Seraphim Bryant, this is an exciting, engaging read that young readers have said is unputdownable! Here’s what some of them say:
‘This book is a wonderful adventure! I really enjoyed reading about how the children played ‘Ma-Chia’ and I always hoped they would get to the next level. The descriptions are so good that I felt I was part of the story.’ Elinor van Dam, aged 8
‘I enjoyed Max & Luchia as it led down some unexpected routes’
Ellie Cross, Student at Blessed Edward Oldcorne
‘I couldn’t put it down. It is an amazing book’
Jake Rouse, Student at Blessed Edward Oldcorne
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Come along to the launch, doors open 4pm for a 4.30pm start on Sunday 23 September 2018 at The Hive, Worcester.
Don’t Oil The Hinges
Heather Wastie’s marvellous journey during her year as Worcestershire Poet Laureate is recorded in these packed pages. Enjoy reading about everything from creaking doors to Tweets, and ‘Our Spake’. Launching at Park’s Cafe, 4 Victoria Square, Droitwich WR9 8DS Saturday 15 September, doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start, come along and enjoy an evening of poetry and music. Get your copy signed by Heather.
£6 +P&P
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Non-UK P&P 
The Archers actor, Sunny Ormonde (who performs one of Heather’s poems as part of her excellent one-woman show) said:
“Needing a poem about local life for my show at Bewdley Festival I discovered Heather’s wonderfully funny poems on line. Immediately smitten, I contacted her and was over the moon when she kindly offered to write a special poem for the show and Dad was a fan of The Archers was born. Nothing could have been more perfect—it was a huge hit and continues to be so.
“Don’t Oil The Hinges is a delightful collection of poems—a pot pourri of Worcestershire life and experiences. Joyful, funny, touching, informative and vibrant. Heather is one of the finest poets around.”
Poet, singer/songwriter, keyboard/accordion player, actor, humourist and facilitator Heather Wastie was born in Cradley Heath and grew up in the Black Country. In 2006 she moved to Kidderminster where in 2013 she was Writer in Residence at the Museum of Carpet. In 2015, the year of publication of her book, ‘Weaving Yarns’ she was appointed Worcestershire Poet Laureate.
