Matthew Sweeney, from Donegal (though presently resident in Romania), combines an inherited Irish interest in narrative with a lasting preoccupation with German literature. His work seems barely touched by the mainstream of English writing – witness firstly his lack of interest in history or class and secondly his highly individual adaptation of realism, for which he has proposed the name 'Alternative Realism'. He has published a number of collections, most recently Sanctuary (Cape, 2004). More on Matthew at http://www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=auth102

Speaking of which, our own Christine De Luca has a personal website at http://www.christinedeluca.co.uk/

Rhoda Michael was born in Beauly, Inverness-shire, a long time ago (clue: in Carnaby Street in 1969 her sons refused to try on shirts with flower patterns); she went on to work as a psychologist in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. She started writing in 1996 and is (or was) Northwords’ poetry editor.

Next month is our Ceilidh Culture event (27 March), an Aural Anthology presenting six poets who have previously read at Shore Poets: Colin Donati, Pat Fox, Alan Gay, Elspeth Murray, Tim Turnbull, and Dawn Wood. Music: Fiddler Roy Powell, of ceilidh band Royzone, with some of his musician pals. See the full Ceilidh Culture lineup here: http://www.ceilidhculture.co.uk/ and note that, if you wish, you can buy tickets for this event at the Usher Hall box office.

Canons’ Gait, 232 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DQ, 7.45pm

Admission £2/£1 concessions

If you would like to print out a poster for the next Shore Poets event, by the way, you can find the files in Word and PDF formats on the website’s diary page.

Best wishes

Peter Cudmore

 

Shore Poets www.shorepoets.org.uk

Supported by SAC