Dark Angels Note 136: Book One Special Edition

Dearest Friends—
Welcome back to our weekly Friday Note. 

Observing

In this special edition of our weekly Note, we are excited to share news about the first poetry book by Dark Angels.‘Dark Angels: Three Contemporary Poets — Book One’ features the work of poets Thérèse Kieran, Tim Rich and John Simmons. Partnering with London letterpress publisher Paekakariki Press and David Carroll, this beautiful book combines traditional letterpress printing with contemporary poetry. The book is available to buy from today direct from Paekakariki Press or on Amazon. 

Reading

Why publish a Dark Angels poetry book, one that proposes to be the first in an ongoing series?Thérèse Kieran shares a personal account of Dark Angels’ long-standing relationship with poetry.Read: Poetry Please Dark Angels. John Simmons reflects on his case for writing poetry to make you a better writer of any kind – copywriter, business writer or novelist – and the influence of poetry in his own book about business writing.Read: Poetry works. 

Watching

Listen to a selection of poems read by the authors.Time in the Woods, by John SimmonsStory Time, by Thérèse KieranGift, by Tim Rich 

Sharing

Tim, Thérèse and John really enjoyed the process of sharing and commenting on each other’s work. Try a similar process - send a piece of your writing to someone you know. Ask that person to comment constructively and return it to you. 

Writing

The first poem in the collection is Poet Mother, by Thérèse Kieran. It begins: She had three children but might have had ten:velcro babies, toddlers hanging off her hips,four-year-olds shouting, up, up, up. Write for a while about your mother, or a mother you know. Position yourself as an observer of detail. See if you can reveal something about who they are, by describing what they do – or don’t do. 

Gathering

Dark Angels & 26 poetry event

Wednesday 5th April at 7pm (UK time), on Zoom.We’re delighted to invite you to a joint gathering for Dark Angels and 26 members, co-hosted by Neil Baker and Martin Clarkson. Therese, Tim and John will give readings from the book, as well as being in conversation with Neil and Martin. It promises to be a poetry event different from any other.Register here. 

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Diary

Weekly Tuesday Gatherings

Over the coming weeks, we have a few adjustments to the schedule of our weekly gatherings.28 Feb: 7pm as usual7 Mar: 7pm as usual14 Mar: no gathering21 Mar: no gathering28 Mar: 7pm as usual Join us for a reflective hour of reading, writing and communing led by Neil Baker. Everyone is welcome; in fact, invite a friend along. We meet at 7pm UK time. To join us, click here on the night. There’s no need to register in advance and we’ll be using the same link every week from now on. 

Hearts, Inspired, 16-21 June 2023
Join Jamie Jauncey and Richard Pelletier for a 5-day writing retreat on Whidbey Island, in the US Pacific Northwest. We’ll explore writing, creativity and inspiration through guided writing, personal projects and time in nature.Find out more here. 

Words Are Seeds, 19-23 June 2023
Five days of writing, rituals and nature connection at Bore Place over the summer solstice. We’re expecting a lively, stimulating and playful experience, with plenty of time for individual pondering, wondering and wandering – and writing. Find out more here. 

Be well, keep reading, keep writing and know that we’re always here.

From everyone at Dark Angels