High time for an update, methinks! Over Easter I was in Amsterdam and Utrecht, performing as part of the inaugural City2Cities literary festival.  The festival takes three European cities and "twins" them (or should that be "triplets" them?), and this year the three were Utrecht, Stockholm and Edinburgh.  I was asked to be the official Edinburgh poet, and I was really proud to represent my city at the festival.  I worked on translations, performed heaps of times, met loads of truly brilliant poets and was paid for the priviledge (and put up in free, gorgeous accomodation, no less!).  Was I dreaming...?  It was an amazing time.  And I now wan

Are young writers losing their sense of literary identity? Join the discussion here. :heart:

Hello, today is my birthday! Good birthday presents: :heart: Having your Boy announce that you MUST open your presents RIGHT NOW, at 6.30pm the day before your birthday... because he can't wait any longer to give them to you! :heart: Being seranaded with 'Happy Birthday' in several different keys (!!) by a class of hyperactive 16 year old Engineering students. :heart: Huge Galaxy chocolate bars being reduced to a £1 each in the store next to your workplace. :heart: A beautiful day outside. :heart: All your marking done by 3pm :heart: Seeing your poem published in the Scottish Poetry Library's "Best Scottish Poems of the Year" anth