Dave Wakely
@davewakely.bsky.social
Househusband, cook, gardener, guitar player, composer, writer. Shortlisted for Manchester, Bath + Cambridge Short Story awards; fiction/poetry in numerous journals and anthologies. Owns huge number of cookbooks. Online Programme Mngr, @MKLitFest.
Honoured to have a poem in Issue 18 of 14poems - available from them at www.fourteenpoems.com/shop/issue-18 for those who support small presses.
Thanks to editors Troy Cabida and Helen Bowell, and to Sean Hewiit, Richard Scott, Derek Jarman and Jeanette Winterson for inadvertent inspiration.
Thanks to editors Troy Cabida and Helen Bowell, and to Sean Hewiit, Richard Scott, Derek Jarman and Jeanette Winterson for inadvertent inspiration.
December 23, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Honoured to have a poem in Issue 18 of 14poems - available from them at www.fourteenpoems.com/shop/issue-18 for those who support small presses.
Thanks to editors Troy Cabida and Helen Bowell, and to Sean Hewiit, Richard Scott, Derek Jarman and Jeanette Winterson for inadvertent inspiration.
Thanks to editors Troy Cabida and Helen Bowell, and to Sean Hewiit, Richard Scott, Derek Jarman and Jeanette Winterson for inadvertent inspiration.
A poem in the new edition of Caduceus Journal, with thanks to the poetry editor, Dawn Gorman @dawnpoet.bsky.social
caduceus.info
caduceus.info
December 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A poem in the new edition of Caduceus Journal, with thanks to the poetry editor, Dawn Gorman @dawnpoet.bsky.social
caduceus.info
caduceus.info
Tomorrow night (Tues 9th) in-person or online: a fascinating new website launches, with live readings of 12 excellent pieces of original writing about our city
Tickets (free): www.mklitfest.org/raisingvoiceslaunch
Tickets (free): www.mklitfest.org/raisingvoiceslaunch
Join us as we launch the Raising Voices StoryMap with poems and stories of MK.
www.mklitfest.org/raisingvoice...
#creativewriting #poetry #shortstories flashfiction creativenonfiction writingcompetition
www.mklitfest.org/raisingvoice...
#creativewriting #poetry #shortstories flashfiction creativenonfiction writingcompetition
December 8, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Tomorrow night (Tues 9th) in-person or online: a fascinating new website launches, with live readings of 12 excellent pieces of original writing about our city
Tickets (free): www.mklitfest.org/raisingvoiceslaunch
Tickets (free): www.mklitfest.org/raisingvoiceslaunch
Honoured to be shortlisted for this forthcoming anthology - please support @arachnepress.bsky.social through their crowdfunder if you are able (and spreading the word is also a fine form of generosity)
We have a #shortlist for Up//Roar #Poems of #Queer #Resistance Everyone who submitted has been informed, so now we can tell *you*.
Our shortlisted poets are:
Abhi
Abu Leila
Alyson Hallett
Arun Jeetoo
Carmina Masoliver
Claire Hennessy
Conway Emmett
Cynthia Rodríguez Juárez
David Wakely
continues...
Our shortlisted poets are:
Abhi
Abu Leila
Alyson Hallett
Arun Jeetoo
Carmina Masoliver
Claire Hennessy
Conway Emmett
Cynthia Rodríguez Juárez
David Wakely
continues...
November 29, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Honoured to be shortlisted for this forthcoming anthology - please support @arachnepress.bsky.social through their crowdfunder if you are able (and spreading the word is also a fine form of generosity)
Join @mklitfest.bsky.social online on Wed eve for 5 superb poets: Zoe Brooks, Anna Saunders, Julia Webb, Leo Boix and Lesley Sharpe. www.mklitfest.org/poetryspotli...
#poetry #poets #poetryreading
@julwe1.bsky.social @lesleysharpe.bsky.social @zoebrooks.bsky.social @annasaund.bsky.social
#poetry #poets #poetryreading
@julwe1.bsky.social @lesleysharpe.bsky.social @zoebrooks.bsky.social @annasaund.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Join @mklitfest.bsky.social online on Wed eve for 5 superb poets: Zoe Brooks, Anna Saunders, Julia Webb, Leo Boix and Lesley Sharpe. www.mklitfest.org/poetryspotli...
#poetry #poets #poetryreading
@julwe1.bsky.social @lesleysharpe.bsky.social @zoebrooks.bsky.social @annasaund.bsky.social
#poetry #poets #poetryreading
@julwe1.bsky.social @lesleysharpe.bsky.social @zoebrooks.bsky.social @annasaund.bsky.social
Delighted and more than a little honoured to be reading in such talented company at 3pm on westwiltsradio.com today (and available on the Play Again pages from early next week).
"There should be a recipe. How to Make
a Perfect Day at Home..."
"There should be a recipe. How to Make
a Perfect Day at Home..."
October 26, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Delighted and more than a little honoured to be reading in such talented company at 3pm on westwiltsradio.com today (and available on the Play Again pages from early next week).
"There should be a recipe. How to Make
a Perfect Day at Home..."
"There should be a recipe. How to Make
a Perfect Day at Home..."
Reposted by Dave Wakely
In collaboration with @mklitfest.bsky.social in August we held an online masterclass – Digging in the Dirt: adventures in ecopoetry with @clareshawpoet.bsky.social , @betarish.bsky.social , @calebparkinpoet.bsky.social & @jessmookherjee.bsky.social poetsfortheplanet.org.uk/the-magic-of... 1 /3
The Magic of Bogs – Poets for the Planet
poetsfortheplanet.org.uk
October 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
In collaboration with @mklitfest.bsky.social in August we held an online masterclass – Digging in the Dirt: adventures in ecopoetry with @clareshawpoet.bsky.social , @betarish.bsky.social , @calebparkinpoet.bsky.social & @jessmookherjee.bsky.social poetsfortheplanet.org.uk/the-magic-of... 1 /3
October 2, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Delighted to be reading tonight for @cheltpoetfest.bsky.social fundraiser event - all welcome!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheltenhampo...
www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheltenhampo...
www.ticketsource.co.uk
September 2, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Delighted to be reading tonight for @cheltpoetfest.bsky.social fundraiser event - all welcome!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheltenhampo...
www.ticketsource.co.uk/cheltenhampo...
Delighted to have a poem, As if, on Poem Alone. Thx editor Colin Dardis (@purelypoetry.bsky.social_, and @annasaund.bsky.social (Cheltenham Poetry Festival) and @clareshawpoet.bsky.social, whose workshops helped mould my imagination into finer shape.
poemalone.blogspot.com/2025/08/dave...
poemalone.blogspot.com/2025/08/dave...
Dave Wakely: As if...
As if the contours of a tune could outline the route of a voyage, the skyline of a view, the way that a drawing maps the dancing of a pencil...
poemalone.blogspot.com
August 9, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Delighted to have a poem, As if, on Poem Alone. Thx editor Colin Dardis (@purelypoetry.bsky.social_, and @annasaund.bsky.social (Cheltenham Poetry Festival) and @clareshawpoet.bsky.social, whose workshops helped mould my imagination into finer shape.
poemalone.blogspot.com/2025/08/dave...
poemalone.blogspot.com/2025/08/dave...
Reposted by Dave Wakely
Join local author Will Burns for a place-based creative workshop providing a framework for new writing with Milton Keynes and its environs at its heart.
www.mklitfest.org/cityofstories
@troubledstriker.bsky.social
#WillBurns
#writingworkshop
#shortstories
www.mklitfest.org/cityofstories
@troubledstriker.bsky.social
#WillBurns
#writingworkshop
#shortstories
August 5, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Join local author Will Burns for a place-based creative workshop providing a framework for new writing with Milton Keynes and its environs at its heart.
www.mklitfest.org/cityofstories
@troubledstriker.bsky.social
#WillBurns
#writingworkshop
#shortstories
www.mklitfest.org/cityofstories
@troubledstriker.bsky.social
#WillBurns
#writingworkshop
#shortstories
Reposted by Dave Wakely
Last call for tickets for an exclusive, free creative writing workshop with @grindrod.bsky.social, looking at how to write non-fiction about places, locations, and modern cities. Thurs 7 Aug, 6pm
Last few tickets: www.mklitfest.org/writingthecity
#writingworkshop #CreativeNonfiction #miltonkeynes
Last few tickets: www.mklitfest.org/writingthecity
#writingworkshop #CreativeNonfiction #miltonkeynes
Writing the City with John Grindrod (Raising Voices) | MK Lit Fest 2025
As part of our Raising Voices project, this free creative writing workshop with social historian John Grindrod looks at ways of telling true stories about life in – and the life of – places in Milton ...
www.mklitfest.org
August 6, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Last call for tickets for an exclusive, free creative writing workshop with @grindrod.bsky.social, looking at how to write non-fiction about places, locations, and modern cities. Thurs 7 Aug, 6pm
Last few tickets: www.mklitfest.org/writingthecity
#writingworkshop #CreativeNonfiction #miltonkeynes
Last few tickets: www.mklitfest.org/writingthecity
#writingworkshop #CreativeNonfiction #miltonkeynes
Reposted by Dave Wakely
Free event with Helen Bowell will help you write poems mining memory, history and place to paint pictures of MK. Places limited: please pre-book.
www.mklitfest.org/poetryaboutp...
#helenbowell
#writingworkshop
#poetry
#miltonkeynes
www.mklitfest.org/poetryaboutp...
#helenbowell
#writingworkshop
#poetry
#miltonkeynes
August 6, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Free event with Helen Bowell will help you write poems mining memory, history and place to paint pictures of MK. Places limited: please pre-book.
www.mklitfest.org/poetryaboutp...
#helenbowell
#writingworkshop
#poetry
#miltonkeynes
www.mklitfest.org/poetryaboutp...
#helenbowell
#writingworkshop
#poetry
#miltonkeynes
Reposted by Dave Wakely
All stories take place somewhere. Belfast-born fiction writer Paul McVeigh and Coventry-born poet Cathy Galvin invite you to disrupt your usual writing practice and look again at the familiar landscape of home.
www.mklitfest.org/lookagain
@cathygalvin.bsky.social
@wordfactoryuk.bsky.social
www.mklitfest.org/lookagain
@cathygalvin.bsky.social
@wordfactoryuk.bsky.social
June 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
All stories take place somewhere. Belfast-born fiction writer Paul McVeigh and Coventry-born poet Cathy Galvin invite you to disrupt your usual writing practice and look again at the familiar landscape of home.
www.mklitfest.org/lookagain
@cathygalvin.bsky.social
@wordfactoryuk.bsky.social
www.mklitfest.org/lookagain
@cathygalvin.bsky.social
@wordfactoryuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Wakely
A 90-minute masterclass for our Raising Voices Project
www.mklitfest.org/digginginthe...
@clareshawpoet.bsky.social
@betarish.bsky.social
@jessmookherjee.bsky.social
@calebparkinpoet.bsky.social
@bloodaxebooks.bsky.social
@ninearchespress.bsky.social
www.mklitfest.org/digginginthe...
@clareshawpoet.bsky.social
@betarish.bsky.social
@jessmookherjee.bsky.social
@calebparkinpoet.bsky.social
@bloodaxebooks.bsky.social
@ninearchespress.bsky.social
June 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
A 90-minute masterclass for our Raising Voices Project
www.mklitfest.org/digginginthe...
@clareshawpoet.bsky.social
@betarish.bsky.social
@jessmookherjee.bsky.social
@calebparkinpoet.bsky.social
@bloodaxebooks.bsky.social
@ninearchespress.bsky.social
www.mklitfest.org/digginginthe...
@clareshawpoet.bsky.social
@betarish.bsky.social
@jessmookherjee.bsky.social
@calebparkinpoet.bsky.social
@bloodaxebooks.bsky.social
@ninearchespress.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Wakely
We're always going to recommend reading, of course, so why not try a few minutes perusing our Spring Festival Programme. Starts next week: 4 days, 18 events, and packed with books, words, writers and ideas!
www.mklitfest.org/downloads
#bookfest #books #miltonkeynes
www.mklitfest.org/downloads
#bookfest #books #miltonkeynes
Download a Programme | MK Lit Fest 2025
A fabulous festival of books, words, writers and ideas that celebrates everything literary, bookish or wordy - download a programme!
www.mklitfest.org
April 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
We're always going to recommend reading, of course, so why not try a few minutes perusing our Spring Festival Programme. Starts next week: 4 days, 18 events, and packed with books, words, writers and ideas!
www.mklitfest.org/downloads
#bookfest #books #miltonkeynes
www.mklitfest.org/downloads
#bookfest #books #miltonkeynes
Reposted by Dave Wakely
Like #YAfantasy? #hungergames? Anna February joins us next Sat with the claustrophobic world of her new novel The Hive.
Before then, she talks to @caztricks.bsky.social on Stony Sunrise @stonyradiouk.bsky.social Mon 7am
mklitfest.org/anna-february
#miltonkeynes #books @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social
Before then, she talks to @caztricks.bsky.social on Stony Sunrise @stonyradiouk.bsky.social Mon 7am
mklitfest.org/anna-february
#miltonkeynes #books @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social
Anna February:The Hive | MK Lit Fest 2025
A thrilling dystopian murder mystery set in a ruthless future monarchy. Young bodyguard Feldspar awaits execution, guilty of living when her charge lies dead. With just one defender, a royal maverick,...
mklitfest.org
April 6, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Like #YAfantasy? #hungergames? Anna February joins us next Sat with the claustrophobic world of her new novel The Hive.
Before then, she talks to @caztricks.bsky.social on Stony Sunrise @stonyradiouk.bsky.social Mon 7am
mklitfest.org/anna-february
#miltonkeynes #books @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social
Before then, she talks to @caztricks.bsky.social on Stony Sunrise @stonyradiouk.bsky.social Mon 7am
mklitfest.org/anna-february
#miltonkeynes #books @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social
Reposted by Dave Wakely
MK Literary Festival starts tomorrow: 4 days, 18 events. To start, Edward Stourton talks about 40 years of bringing us the news.*
*In-person or online!
Box Office open!
www.mklitfest.org/edward-stourton
#edwardstourton #journalism #broadcasting #Memoir #miltonkeynes
*In-person or online!
Box Office open!
www.mklitfest.org/edward-stourton
#edwardstourton #journalism #broadcasting #Memoir #miltonkeynes
Edward Stourton: Confessions | MK Lit Fest 2025
One of British broadcasting’s best-known names reflects on his life against the context of a world that has changed dramatically during his forty-year career. As, of course has Ed, who shares his rema...
www.mklitfest.org
April 8, 2025 at 10:21 AM
MK Literary Festival starts tomorrow: 4 days, 18 events. To start, Edward Stourton talks about 40 years of bringing us the news.*
*In-person or online!
Box Office open!
www.mklitfest.org/edward-stourton
#edwardstourton #journalism #broadcasting #Memoir #miltonkeynes
*In-person or online!
Box Office open!
www.mklitfest.org/edward-stourton
#edwardstourton #journalism #broadcasting #Memoir #miltonkeynes
Reposted by Dave Wakely
To mark 8 years of working with local writers, join us on 12/4 as we present just some of the 200 we've published. And we've a special announcement too! Tickets (incl livestream) free: www.mklitfest.org/raising-voices
#miltonkeynes #poetry #flashfiction #creativewriting
#miltonkeynes #poetry #flashfiction #creativewriting
Raising Voices: A Chorus of Local Writers | MK Lit Fest 2025
Tales from the city, from green spaces, from home. From Midsummer, Midwinter, Lammas, the future, the past and more... Join us for a medley of readings chosen from our #MinK anthologies and online eve...
www.mklitfest.org
March 26, 2025 at 6:29 PM
To mark 8 years of working with local writers, join us on 12/4 as we present just some of the 200 we've published. And we've a special announcement too! Tickets (incl livestream) free: www.mklitfest.org/raising-voices
#miltonkeynes #poetry #flashfiction #creativewriting
#miltonkeynes #poetry #flashfiction #creativewriting
Reposted by Dave Wakely
Join us in-person - or online (livestream tickets on same link) - on 9 April as we welcome Edward Stourton to Lit Fest, talking about his career and memoir: #Confessions.
Book: mklitfest.org/edward-stour...
#radio4 #bbcr4sunday #edwardstourton #journalism #broadcasting #miltonkeynes #newsreporting
Book: mklitfest.org/edward-stour...
#radio4 #bbcr4sunday #edwardstourton #journalism #broadcasting #miltonkeynes #newsreporting
Edward Stourton: Confessions | MK Lit Fest 2025
One of British broadcasting’s best-known names reflects on his life against the context of a world that has changed dramatically during his forty-year career. As, of course has Ed, who shares his rema...
www.mklitfest.org
March 28, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Join us in-person - or online (livestream tickets on same link) - on 9 April as we welcome Edward Stourton to Lit Fest, talking about his career and memoir: #Confessions.
Book: mklitfest.org/edward-stour...
#radio4 #bbcr4sunday #edwardstourton #journalism #broadcasting #miltonkeynes #newsreporting
Book: mklitfest.org/edward-stour...
#radio4 #bbcr4sunday #edwardstourton #journalism #broadcasting #miltonkeynes #newsreporting
Reposted by Dave Wakely
Author Michael Stewart announces our 2025 #CreativeWriting Competition winners as we launch our MinK#5: 'Home' anthology at @theparkstrust.bsky.social Pavilion on 10 April.
Free event: mklitfest.org/mink2025-lau...
@hqstories.bsky.social #writingcompetition #poetry #flashfiction #miltonkeynes
Free event: mklitfest.org/mink2025-lau...
@hqstories.bsky.social #writingcompetition #poetry #flashfiction #miltonkeynes
Home - MinK2025 Prizegiving Ceremony and Anthology Launch | MK Lit Fest 2025
Celebrate the winners of our 2025 Creative Writing Competition – exploring the theme of Home - as author Michael Stewart awards the prizes and introduces readings by the winning writers, and we launch...
mklitfest.org
March 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Author Michael Stewart announces our 2025 #CreativeWriting Competition winners as we launch our MinK#5: 'Home' anthology at @theparkstrust.bsky.social Pavilion on 10 April.
Free event: mklitfest.org/mink2025-lau...
@hqstories.bsky.social #writingcompetition #poetry #flashfiction #miltonkeynes
Free event: mklitfest.org/mink2025-lau...
@hqstories.bsky.social #writingcompetition #poetry #flashfiction #miltonkeynes
Reposted by Dave Wakely
Writers of #BUCKINGHAMSHIRE #bedfordshire + #northants, 2 weeks left to send us your #poems or #flashfiction to celebrate May Day or any of its associations. Details: www.mklitfest.org/dreams-for-b...
#writingcompetition #creativewriting #writers #amwriting #writingcommunity #miltonkeynes
#writingcompetition #creativewriting #writers #amwriting #writingcommunity #miltonkeynes
March 29, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Writers of #BUCKINGHAMSHIRE #bedfordshire + #northants, 2 weeks left to send us your #poems or #flashfiction to celebrate May Day or any of its associations. Details: www.mklitfest.org/dreams-for-b...
#writingcompetition #creativewriting #writers #amwriting #writingcommunity #miltonkeynes
#writingcompetition #creativewriting #writers #amwriting #writingcommunity #miltonkeynes
Reposted by Dave Wakely
#Writers need to find their own voice for their #stories to ring true. We've a workshop with writer and teacher Michael Stewart on 11/4 to help. Handful of places left: www.mklitfest.org/finding-your...
@hqstories.bsky.social #miltonkeynes #writingworkshop #creativewriting #michaelstewart
@hqstories.bsky.social #miltonkeynes #writingworkshop #creativewriting #michaelstewart
Workshop: Finding Your Voice with Michael Stewart | MK Lit Fest 2025
We often talk about a writer’s voice, but what does it mean? This workshop with author Michael Stewart explores the relationship between voice and style, how your voice can be developed, and its impor...
www.mklitfest.org
March 30, 2025 at 3:27 PM
#Writers need to find their own voice for their #stories to ring true. We've a workshop with writer and teacher Michael Stewart on 11/4 to help. Handful of places left: www.mklitfest.org/finding-your...
@hqstories.bsky.social #miltonkeynes #writingworkshop #creativewriting #michaelstewart
@hqstories.bsky.social #miltonkeynes #writingworkshop #creativewriting #michaelstewart
Reposted by Dave Wakely
Don't miss the finale of our #freespeech and #literature series on 11/4: in-person (livestream option now available) with @akischilz.bsky.social @henrycporter.bsky.social and #sabrinamahfouz.
(Podcasts of previous episodes on the website.)
www.mklitfest.org/free-speech-...
(Podcasts of previous episodes on the website.)
www.mklitfest.org/free-speech-...
Free Speech and the Politics of Literature | MK Lit Fest 2025
Literature has always been on the front line in debates about free speech – and never more so than today. Join a panel of writers whose distinct experiences and expertise on the issue of freedom of ex...
www.mklitfest.org
April 1, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Don't miss the finale of our #freespeech and #literature series on 11/4: in-person (livestream option now available) with @akischilz.bsky.social @henrycporter.bsky.social and #sabrinamahfouz.
(Podcasts of previous episodes on the website.)
www.mklitfest.org/free-speech-...
(Podcasts of previous episodes on the website.)
www.mklitfest.org/free-speech-...