A new poetry anthology includes one of my poems among the first fruits of Autumn.

I got my copy of a new anthology today, The Four Seasons published by Kind of a Hurricane Press in Florida, USA.  I'm happy that they wanted to publish my short poem, Gardening Tips, in this collection of season-themed poetry.  The poem's main theme is the impulse to plant daffodil bulbs in the cold days of Autumn so it was a pleasant coincidence that the book arrived around the same time that I took delivery of next spring's daffodil and tulip bulbs for my small Lewes town garden.

I have put the box in my garden shed where it will sit until mid-November when I shall plant them in the cold earth. Why do I do this every Autumn? There's a clue in the photograph below.

If you want to buy a copy of the paperback, here are some links to Amazon:

In the USA:

http://www.amazon.com/Four-Seasons-Various-Authors/dp/1517431840/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1446045164&sr=8-6&keywords=A.J.+Huffman+poetry

 In the UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Four-Seasons-Various-Authors/dp/1517431840/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1446045164&sr=8-6&keywords=A.J.+Huffman+poetry

I'm proud to appear alongside so many writer friends and acquaintances in Lewes' The Needlewriters, a new anthology.

I was supposed to have been at the launch of a new poetry anthology last Thursday but, unfortunately, I was struck down with the latest lurgey and had to take to my bed instead. I am sad to have missed the launch of this excellent book, The Needlewriters, which is an anthology of work by the writers who have appeared at Lewes' Needlewriters events since its beginning in 2008.  The readings take place just down the street from my house, at the intriguing Needlemakers centre which was built as a candle-makers before becoming, quite literally, a needle-makers factory, supplying syringe needles for the medical corps treating the wounded in World War One. It is now a pleasant complex of arty shops and a restaurant.

 I was proud to have been asked to read there after the publication of my novel, Stephen Dearsley's Summer Of Love and now, I'm doubly proud to appear in this anthology along with so many writer friends and acquaintances from all over Kent and Sussex.

Needlewriters have also produced The Needlewriters Companion,  an online anthology with extra work from all the contributors - you can find it by using the link below:

http://www.needlewriters.co.uk/#/the-needlewriters-companion/4588177767


The book, The Needlewriters can be purchased (£10) either directly from the publisher, The Frogmore Press,

http://www.frogmorepress.co.uk/

or from Lewes' splendid Skylark Shop - unlike Lewes's other rather anonymous and centrally-controlled bookshops, its owner, Matt Birch,  is one of the few great independent booksellers who actively support local writers. He even sells copies of my novel (thanks Matt!)

http://www.skylarkshop.com/

 Those of us who are lucky enough to live in or around Lewes can be truly grateful for the support that this small town gives to literature and the other arts.

The Poetry of Camden Town actually makes a difference in the "real" World.

Just before I went off on my holidays, I was at the regular monthly poetry event held by Camden-Lumen Poetry where I was proud to have one of my poems included in the latest anthology published in aid of the truly worthwhile charity, Cold Weather Shelter for the Homeless. Every month poets, some famous, some not, get together to read their work in the church (United Reform Church, 1 Buck Street, London, NW1 8NJ) where, during the winter, some of London's homeless actually find a bed for the night, partly due to the cash raised by poetry. It's a wonderful mix of poetry that actually, amazingly, raises real money for a very practical cause.

The anthology,  Genius Floored: Whispers in Smoke, the second that has included one of my poems, is published by Soaring Penguin Press  http://www.soaringpenguinpress.com/ so you can buy yourself a copy if you'd like to support the charity and get to read some excellent poetry. No I'm not talking about myself because I'm honoured to appear between the glossy covers of this book with distinguished poets such as Anne Stevenson, Fleur Adcock, Dannie Abse, Peter Phillips, Sue Guiney and the organiser and editor of this collection, the indomitable Ruth O'Callaghan. It's always a thrill to get poetry into print, so I'm very happy to be able to add this new book to the other anthologies that contain my work.