Mental illness affects one in four of us, yet too many people are made to feel isolated and worthless as a result. This anthology seeks to encourage everyone to be more open about their mental state, to talk, to listen, to change lives. The poetry and prose was sent in to Worcestershire LitFest and FringeContinue reading “Hard Times Happen—a Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe anthology”
Author Archives: Polly
‘Blue Stockings’ by Cath Darwen
Emile found herself sitting on an empty bench, wine glass in hand. She twirled the glass, watching the rogue liquid run laps around the crystal. She looked at the ceiling; if Robespierre could see her now…
Former Worcestershire Poet Laureate publishes illustrated poem
Former Worcestershire Poet Laureate Tim Cranmore has updated ‘The Mermaid and The Mason’ and created his own illustrations for this outstanding new publication. UK £7 +P&P:
‘Lore’—flowers, poison, and so much more
Use something beautiful as bait.
Give her a reason to think of herself
as more than age-stained skin and weight.
Use something beautiful as bait
and allow her to live at her own rate.
Remind her that lbs do not equate wealth.
Use something beautiful as bait.
Give her a reason to think of herself.
‘How to Catch a Woman’ Charley Barnes, ‘Lore’ (2021)
‘Pack of Lies’ Review by LitFest Director Martin Driscoll
Roz Levens writes with a light touch but produces such heavy content!In her latest novel ‘Pack of Lies’ she creates an entwined ensemble of believable but wildly diverse characters, all linked by one man known to them all but with seemingly no ties to each other.The way Roz carefully, deviously, cleverly and forensically lays outContinue reading “‘Pack of Lies’ Review by LitFest Director Martin Driscoll”
2020 Anthologies
So good to have news about the Worcestershire LitFest and Black Pear Press anthologies for this year—both the Flash Fiction and the Young Writer anthologies are now available for pre-order, please click on the links below for details. The launch for the Flash Fiction anthology ‘Her Final Goodbye’ is at 4pm Sunday 29 November. TheContinue reading “2020 Anthologies”
My World—Gloucestershire Writers’ Network Competition Anthology 2020
As featured at The Cheltenham Literature Festival 2020, the 2020 Competition Winners’ Anthology on the theme of ‘My World’ is available. This wonderful anthology takes you from a reflection on the world‐view of an Anglo‐Saxon wanderer to the anxieties of a new mother trapped in a high‐rise flat; from the streets of an Italian city,Continue reading “My World—Gloucestershire Writers’ Network Competition Anthology 2020”
The Alchemy of 42
‘The Alchemy of 42’ by Polly Stretton is dark, speculative, and sometimes bizarre—these are her lenses and through them we view scenes that comfort and distress, thrill and mesmerise.
Black Pear Press 