Welcome to our Resource Library. You can filter these posts by using the following sub categories: CRAFT | GRAFT | SUSTAIN | THE KNOWLEDGE

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Degna Stone Library, The Knowledge

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All the articles, resources and links you’ll find in our online library fit under the headings ‘Craft’, ‘Graft’, ‘The Knowledge’ and ‘Sustain’ – it’s just our way to focus on different aspects of life as a woman poet. You might find them all useful, or be drawn to one aspect over another at any one time.

Beyond Submissions by Naush Sabah

Degna Stone Graft, Sustain, The Knowledge

I found myself in conversation with another editor recently and realised that despite being a published poet herself, she didn’t send work out to magazines. I asked why. ‘Well, apart from the one I edit, none of them are any good.’ We both laughed at this and I managed to not indignantly exclaim Hold on, what about PBLJ?! It was …

In Search of Spring: Can Poetry Change the World? by Vanessa Kisuule

Degna Stone Library, Sustain

I’m often asked about the Purpose of Poetry. Usually, I’m armed with a scattering of stock answers, duty bound to extoll its virtues. I have a vested interest, of course; an irrational desire to account for my professional choices. But in times like these, its a question I’m taking more seriously. A pandemic. A war. A volatile government. Bills that …

A dream cut out of the air by Joelle Taylor

Degna Stone Library, Sustain, The Knowledge

close up of a medal embossed with stars and the word 'winner'

There is no way to succeed in poetry. There is no way to fail. There is only poetry. Everything else is noise off-stage. The prize is the piece of writing you just found hidden in the air. The prize is indistinct. The prize is each other. The prize is the conversation, is being included, is having your thoughts carefully weighed. …

Be where the people are by Jemilea Wisdom-Baako

Degna Stone Graft, Library

Brightly coloured dynamic illustration of tower blocks with vines and hearts growing between them

I step into boardrooms unsure of myself, the lanyard around my neck has a cute photo I took at the reception desk with my name; and title – Founder of Writerz and Scribez CIC. What does it mean to create something, to take it out of your mind and imagination and turn it into a living, breathing thing? My arts …

Academia / Odyssey / Lyric Essay by Jane Burn

Degna Stone Library, The Knowledge

A small sailboat sets off into a dreamlike horizon. faintly orange-lit clouds and the Milky Way perfectly reflected in the still waters

Courage is multiplex. Part of courage is admitting what you do / do not know; courage is vulnerability before that which you greatly desire; courage is offering your underbelly to anomaly’s mercy. Courage is scrambling those acclivitous hills – each summit equating where you deserve / where you have fought to be. Academia is negotiation of cryptic terrain. The walls …

Page and Stage and the Spaces Between by Harry Josephine Giles

Degna Stone Craft, Library

A microphone on a stand waiting for someone to speak into it

A poem doesn’t exist, for me, until I’ve felt it in my mouth. They often begin with a catch of sound, an earworm that bothers me until I give it space to wriggle about on the page. Sometimes I’ll find myself trying out lines as I cycle along, the polyrhythmic framework of pedals and breath giving shape to the poem. …

How to find your community when you don’t know anyone by Christy Ku

Degna Stone Graft, Library, Sustain

Illustration of a woman pointing to a natework of interconnected small faces on a blue background

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Yet another guest speaker at our school gives this ‘advice’ to our teenage ears. They hurriedly mention their first job/internship came from their aunt/neighbour/family friend but hey, if they could do it we could too. “Make sure you really work your contacts! Knock on doors! The worst thing they can do …

Poets and Prizes – Thoughts of an Unprofessional Poet by Anja Konig

Degna Stone Library, Sustain

A see=saw balance with two green apples on one side and three oranges on the other. The balance is tipped in favour of the oranges

Anja Konig grew up in the German language and now writes in English. Her first pamphlet “Advice for an Only Child” was shortlisted for the 2015 Michael Marks Award and her first full collection “Animal Experiments” from Bad Betty Press was nominated for the 2021 Laurel Prize. She once won first and second place at the Stroud Poetry Competition, which …