Benedicta Norell
LightNews LightNews
banner
benedictan.bsky.social
Benedicta Norell
@benedictan.bsky.social
2.1K followers 1.4K following 280 posts
Poet| Debut ‘24 Black Cat Poetry| Guardian reading, tofu eating member of wokerati, citizen of the world/nowhere, middle class woman of a certain age, liberal woman over 50. Poems linked:

https://linktr.ee/benedictanorell
Posts Replies Media Videos
benedictan.bsky.social
My poem in @dustpoetry.bsky.social Issue 15 ‘Dear World’

#poetry #blueskypoets
Above the Ramparts by Benedicta Norell
Above the Ramparts There’s a new garden by the seawhere they’ve been planting poets,where Maupassant and Hugo, cactusand palm, all reach for the warm wind. I ask how tall the plants might grow in twen...
www.dustpoetry.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:36 PM
benedictan.bsky.social
Agatha Christie Statue in Wallingford
Bronze Statue of Agatha Christie on the green in Wallingford, she is holding a book with her name on the spine Detail of Agatha Christie statue showing her hands holding a book
November 23, 2025 at 2:21 PM
benedictan.bsky.social
I have a poem in Issue 15 of the amazing @dustpoetry.bsky.social

Thanks to the editors for including Above the Ramparts

#poetry #blueskypoets
dustpoetry.bsky.social Dust Poetry @dustpoetry.bsky.social · 6d
Our NEW ISSUE featuring 30 remarkable new poems and stunning cover art by printmaker Molly Lemon is LIVE.

You can read it all here: www.dustpoetry.co.uk/issues/categ...

We hope you enjoy this issue and look forward to hearing what you think 🧡✨
Issue 15, Dear World
www.dustpoetry.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
leastactionhero.bsky.social
nobody does more brutal fashion reviews than the irish
lady of sophistication @janky_jane Props to anyone who tries to be fashionable in ireland i wore a red beret once in waterford and someone called me super mario Andrew Beatty V @AndrewBeatty Replying to @janky_jane I once ordered a taxi in Belfast for a night out. The driver pulls up to my house and just says "yer not going out like that. Go back in and change, I'll turn off the metre." | swear I was wearing normal jeans and a normal jacket. Matthew @MrWeir Replying to @janky jane I once wore a silver jacket to college, turned up late for class, said 'sorry I'm late', lecturer said, 'that's ok' then waited til I was halfway across the front of the full class before following up with 'trouble with the spaceship again was it?'. Replying to @janky _jane My sister was in France sporting a new trench coat, thought was so stylish, but went into an Irish bar and got called Inspector Gadget by the first guy that saw her 15:53 • 8/16/21 • Twitter Web App was wearing my super-fashionable short trench coat. My friend took one look at me wearing the jacket and said, "Where are we off to now. Columbo?" Eoin O Neill @eoinjoneill Replying to @janky_jane Was wearing a vintage nike jacket in a very long que for drinks at a boxing match when a Belfast lad goes "furk me this is taking forever, your man has been here since the 80's" Loic Wright @dufflest Replying to @janky jane I wore a suit with a matching tie and pocket square to my first day of work at an advertising company (I thought I was going to be in Mad Men I guess) and the staff sent around and signed a communion card for me with a fiver in it. Eóin O Coileáin @L20_MTN Replying to @janky_jane I wore a white, wool turtle-neck jumper to the match once and a fella in the pub said 'Where have you parked the U-boat?'.
November 22, 2024 at 1:57 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
thebrokenspine.co.uk
Colder days, tighter belts, but a warm future for poets is within reach. We’ve worked tirelessly to fund this prize—now, we need your help to push us over the line. Let’s make #TheBrokenSpinePoetryAward happen. 🔗
A Poetry Award That Puts Poets First – And You Can Make It Happen - The Broken Spine
Poets deserve more than empty prestige. They deserve real recognition, real opportunities, and real support. That is why I am launching The Broken Spine
shorturl.at
November 10, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
writeforwellbeing.bsky.social
#FeelGoodFriday
#FridayMotivation
writingforwellbeing.co.uk
Be gentle with yourself. You're doing the best you can.
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 PM
benedictan.bsky.social
Another brilliant episode of The Poems We Made Along The Way ⭐
gregorykearns.bsky.social Gregory @gregorykearns.bsky.social · 24d
Great episode of The Poems We Made Along The Way even if I do say so myself.

Loved talking to Clare about her book and I hope you enjoy listening to it.
poetclare.bsky.social Clare Pollard @poetclare.bsky.social · 25d
happy to be on this excellent podcast talking about Lives of the Female Poets @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social with @gregorykearns.bsky.social

open.spotify.com/episode/0rMp...
November 4, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
npitchford.bsky.social
Grateful today for the regathering-in of the morning light — & for the clean clear whistled notes of the golden-crowned sparrow (no kings but), with its accrued layers of winter memory.
Both photos: pale blue dawn skies with a tumble of bright pink clouds, over dark low hills scattered with evergreen oaks. A wider shot of watercolour pink and gold clouds in the blue dawn sky.
November 3, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
monicapelger.bsky.social
Fluffy #cygnet. 🪶 #MuteSwan
November 3, 2025 at 10:41 AM
benedictan.bsky.social
Today I wrote a three-page poem. I can’t believe it!

#poetlife #blueskypoets
November 3, 2025 at 4:08 PM
benedictan.bsky.social
Photo of Autumn reeds in foreground and late autumnal trees along horizon, blue sky and a solitary cloud
November 2, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
markantonyowen.com
Show this invaluable resource some love, poetry lovers. And remember, without The Poetry Archive, there would be no @iambapoet.com (now steaming towards the start of its sixth year online).
thepoetryarchive.bsky.social The Poetry Archive @thepoetryarchive.bsky.social · 28d
For 20 years, the Poetry Archive has brought poetry to life in poets’ own voices, free for all. Love what we do? Support us by donating, becoming a member, or spreading the word about what we do. 💛
poetryarchive.org/support/
#PoetryArchive20 #PoetryForEveryone
October 30, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
jennywcreative.bsky.social
Looking forward to joining the amazing Laurie Bolger, author of Lady (Nine Arches Press) and founder of the Creative Writing Breakfast Club on 10 Nov for an online reading in collaboration with @FoundationSwift. Stay in to spend the evening with us! Rsvp www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-in-...
Poetry in Pyjamas: an evening of poems with Laurie Bolger & Jennifer Wong
Snuggle up & listen to some great poetry from the comfort of your own space via zoom. In association with Rebecca Swift Foundation.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
atriumpoetry.bsky.social
Next Sunday we will unveil a brand new Featured Publication, our final one for 2025.

In the meantime, do check out How to Leave a Body by Holly Winter-Hughes.

@vervepoetrypress.bsky.social

atriumpoetry.com/2025/08/03/f...
Featured Publication – How to Leave a Body by Holly Winter-Hughes
Our featured publication for Summer is How to Leave a Body by Holly Winter-Hughes, published by Verve Poetry Press. ‘Holly Winter-Hughes’ visceral writing turns the human form inside-ou…
atriumpoetry.com
October 26, 2025 at 2:43 PM
benedictan.bsky.social
Thrilled to be longlisted today in a competition, which means I have two poems in two print publications coming up next year and an online magazine next month too 😃

#poetry #blueskypoets
October 22, 2025 at 11:59 AM
benedictan.bsky.social
Happy One Year Book Birthday to my Debut Terrible Mother published by @blackcatpress.bsky.social

#poetry #blueskypoets
Cover of Terrible Mother by B Norell dark green with a drawing of a swan Back cover of Terrible Mother by B Norell dark green with wisteria draped in top left corner and blurbs
October 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
benedictan.bsky.social
Can’t wait for this #poetry
alanparrywriter.co.uk Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · Oct 19
I am so very excited by this collection. Katie reduced me to tears at #NotJustPretty reading from this book. I've cried reading it myself. So, so affecting!! She's one of the finest poets I've ever read. This will blow your mind! #Trilogy #WifeWidowWitch #CoverReveal @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social
thebrokenspine.co.uk The Broken Spine @thebrokenspine.co.uk · Oct 19
Katie Jenkins’ #Trilogy wife:widow:witch is almost here—feminist, fearless, & feral in all the right ways.

Artwork by the visionary Matt Oxborrow (Duolingo, Headspace, M&S).

This one lingers.

@katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social

#Poetry #CoverReveal #Trilogy #FeministLit
October 19, 2025 at 2:19 PM
benedictan.bsky.social
❤️
October 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social
Huge shout out to @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social for bringing together such an incredible group of women. I was honoured and humbled to be among them 🙏✨🙌
thebrokenspine.co.uk The Broken Spine @thebrokenspine.co.uk · Oct 4
Well, #NotJustPretty was an absolute blast. I'm a little teary after hearing @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social read my fave poem from her forthcoming collection. Compound that with the event itself, the vision from @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social wonderfully hosted! Everything we could have wanted!
a silhouette of a woman with the words girl power let 's go written on it
ALT: a silhouette of a woman with the words girl power let 's go written on it
media.tenor.com
October 5, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
alanparrywriter.co.uk
I can't take any credit for this. I am just glad @thebrokenspine.co.uk is able to platform @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social and her vision. It was an amazing event, so much talent! Extremely moving and affecting. I was always proud of my record publishing women, but this is something else! #NotJustPretty
katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social Katie Jenkins @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social · Oct 5
Huge shout out to @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social for bringing together such an incredible group of women. I was honoured and humbled to be among them 🙏✨🙌
thebrokenspine.co.uk The Broken Spine @thebrokenspine.co.uk · Oct 4
Well, #NotJustPretty was an absolute blast. I'm a little teary after hearing @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social read my fave poem from her forthcoming collection. Compound that with the event itself, the vision from @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social wonderfully hosted! Everything we could have wanted!
October 5, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
thebrokenspine.co.uk
Well, #NotJustPretty was an absolute blast. I'm a little teary after hearing @katiejenkinspoet.bsky.social read my fave poem from her forthcoming collection. Compound that with the event itself, the vision from @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social wonderfully hosted! Everything we could have wanted!
a silhouette of a woman with the words girl power let 's go written on it
ALT: a silhouette of a woman with the words girl power let 's go written on it
media.tenor.com
October 4, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
jenwithwords.bsky.social
Congratulations to @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social for hosting and facilitating an amazing kick-off event yesterday for #NotJustPretty!

Missed it? Don’t worry! There are two coming soon to a Zoom near you! ⬇️⬇️⬇️
karenpgonzalez.bsky.social Karen Pierce Gonzalez @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social · Oct 5
You just CAN'T keep good women down!!! The #NotJustPretty gathering I put together yesterday was electric ⚡ and there are more! Grateful to @thebrokenspine.co.uk for the platform & support of my vision. 🙏💃🙏 thebrokenspine.co.uk/2025/09/14/n...
thebrokenspine.co.uk/2025/09/06/n...
October 5, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Reposted by Benedicta Norell
thebrokenspine.co.uk
#NotJustPretty — we don’t platform women to show them. We publish them to hear them.

Poetry. Art. Defiance.

Read it: thebrokenspine.co.uk...

@karenpgonzalez.bsky.social
@jenwithwords.bsky.social
@petitecreature1.bsky.social
#NotJustPretty: Meet the Artists Leading the Charge - The Broken Spine
On October 4, 2025, we’ll be launching #NotJustPretty — a new series that celebrates artists who identify as women. For us, this project is about refusing to
thebrokenspine.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 11:49 AM
benedictan.bsky.social
I can’t think of enough superlatives to describe the first #NotJustPretty

Keep an eye out for parts 2 & 3!

Congratulations @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social and @brokenspinejournal.bsky.social

#poetry #blueskypoets
karenpgonzalez.bsky.social Karen Pierce Gonzalez @karenpgonzalez.bsky.social · Oct 5
You just CAN'T keep good women down!!! The #NotJustPretty gathering I put together yesterday was electric ⚡ and there are more! Grateful to @thebrokenspine.co.uk for the platform & support of my vision. 🙏💃🙏 thebrokenspine.co.uk/2025/09/14/n...
thebrokenspine.co.uk/2025/09/06/n...
October 6, 2025 at 2:20 PM
benedictan.bsky.social
Belated UK Happy #NationalPoetryDay

#poetry #bluskypoets
October 3, 2025 at 2:22 PM