Oof! It’s a unusually busy summer this year. Family visits, a big trip away, stuff on my to-do list such as a book review for The Frogmore Papers and a note to self to ‘get some more poems out’. Then there’s admin for forthcoming singing workshops. 2026 readings to set/finalise. I’ve enjoyed the mostly dry, warm weather, but it seems to have hit some plants rather badly, including the majestic Marmande tomatoes (which I was looking forward to) contracting a nasty bottom-rotting disease. Ah well, that’s nature I suppose. At least we had some lovely home-grown salad leaves and peas quite early in the season, and the cucumbers keep coming!
I’m taking a summer break from promoting the book, although it would be silly of me not to mention being featured on The Lake‘s ‘One Poem Review’ section this month, as well as a forthcoming review in Orbis. My next reading isn’t until 16th September when I’ll be joining five other poets for a reading as part of the Hurst Festival.
I’ve been sending out a few pieces of new work, and some old work that I’ve been revising. I’m also putting the (I hope) finishing touches to a new mini pamphlet, in a similar format to Foot Wear (in other words hand-made and self-published). Working title is Yo-Yo. I plan to sell it at readings from the autumn.
Usually it’s autumn when I get that feeling of needing change, or a re-boot, but it’s upon me already. Maybe because everything in the garden is ahead of itself so I am too. Peter and I have decided to make some changes to Planet Poetry. It’s now our summer break, and we’re still coming back for a sixth season, but the time, energy and costs involved have taken their toll. We both need space to work on our own projects and even spend more time with loved ones. So it will be a slimmed-down podcast that re-emerges in the autumn.
The quarterly spreadsheet is also crying out to be something different. I’m still working out what that is! Answers on a postcard please.
Anyway, I hope you’re having a good summer. I’m sure we’ll all emerge refreshed in September.
I really enjoyed reading The Mayday Diaries, Robin. So many great poems. I posted about it on Facebook, but I couldn’t find you on FB to copy you in. Cx
Thank you Claire! Yes, I left Facebook about 10 years ago I think. So I’m sorry I didn’t see your post, but I appreciate it. xx
Not surprised you’re cutting back, Robin. As regards the magazines, you provide a very comprehensive list and I am wondering if you could cut some of them out? not sure what criteria you would use, which is a difficulty, I can see.
Hi Antony, yes, interesting you should say that. A cull/ clearer focus is one of the changes I’m contemplating. Thank you! x