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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 18d

My time at Cove Park (Rosneath) is proving productive. How could not be, given the setting and the people who run it. @covepark.bsky.social

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Aug 27

Currently at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, living the life with a lovely group of artists, musicians and writers. I'm here to translate poems by Jules Supervielle. The going is good.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Aug 21

My first such mention. Thank you. (I hope the poem doesn't disappoint!)

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Aug 14

Update: Atta has also withdrawn from the prize.

Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Aug 13

3 from the National Gallery, London: Stubbs, Delaroche, and Caravaggio.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Aug 13

Dean Atta decided to remain on the Polari Prize longlist but expressed solidarity with those, like Sanah Ahsan, who have withdrawn their work for consideration. Sitting in Foyles, about to have a very cursory look at both.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Aug 13

You're clued in Clippy.

Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Aug 13

The always wonderful Frank this week features the always wonderful poetry of Scott McKendry. Yaba daba doo!

open.spotify.com/episode/1jav...

Scott McKendry

Frank Skinner's Poetry Podcast · Episode

open.spotify.com

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Reposted by Paul Maddern

Dorian Lynskey @dorianlynskey.bsky.social · Aug 3

John Boyne is simply Graham Linehan with a career

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Aug 11

To all the trans haters, time to buy more tissues:

www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...

Polari prize nominees and judges withdraw after inclusion of John Boyne over gender identity views

800 writers and publishing workers have signed a statement objecting to the LGBTQ+ book prize’s nomination of Boyne, who described himself as a ‘terf’

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Paul Maddern

bumbling about town 🐝🍉 @tinyearlobe.bsky.social · Aug 10

Half the first book prize, 40% of judges and a third of the main prize! It’s not looking great Polari.

Jay Hulme @jayhulmepoet.bsky.social · Aug 10

UPDATE: 10 of the 24 longlisted authors have now withdrawn from the Polari Prize.

First Book:
Jason Okundaye, Sacha Coward, Sanah Ahsan, Amy Twigg, Mae Diansangu, Ciara Maguire

Main award:
Olumide Popoola, Robert Hamberger, Andrew McMillan, Rhian Elizabeth

Judging panel:
Nicola Dinan, Bob Hughes

The Polari prize first book Longlist with crosses over books by
Jason Okundaye, Sacha Coward, Sanah Ahsan, Amy Twigg, Mae Diansangu, Ciara Maguire to show they've withdrawn

The polar prize award Longlist with crosses over books by
Olumide Popoola, Robert Hamberger, Andrew McMillan, Rhian Elizabeth to show they've withdrawn

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Jul 12

4 Bermudian poets for your delectation, reading at ICA London on Tuesday July 15th. Yours truly, Yesha Townsend, Chris Astwood & Alan Smith.
@lrb.co.uk @londonreviewbookshop.co.uk @poetrylondon.bsky.social @lgbtqreads.bsky.social @poetrysociety.bsky.social

www.ica.art/exhibitions/...

ICA | Vex’d Bermoothes: An Evening with Four Bermuda Poets + Q&A

The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is London’s leading space for contemporary culture. We commission, produce and present new work in film, music, performance and the visual arts by today’s most...

www.ica.art

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Jul 5

If you're in London on July 15th, it would be lovely to see you at this reading with 4 Bermudian poets. At the ICA.

Details and tickets in link.

www.ica.art/exhibitions/...

ICA | Vex’d Bermoothes: An Evening with Four Bermuda Poets + Q&A

The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is London’s leading space for contemporary culture. We commission, produce and present new work in film, music, performance and the visual arts by today’s most...

www.ica.art

Reposted by Paul Maddern

Catherine Kay @catherinekay.bsky.social · Apr 19

What a wonderful, inspiring and well thought out workshop today. Thank you so much @leoneross.bsky.social . The beautiful setting and amazing lunch by @pmaddern.bsky.social made it all the more special.I’d recommend the River Mill wholeheartedly. 😊

Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Mar 11

The River Mill is thrilled to be hosting a short story workshop with the celebrated writer @leoneross.bsky.social . See photo for details.

April 19th
Limited to 12 participants

We anticipate places going quickly.

FINE TUNING THE SHORT STORY: a day-long workshop with Leone Ross

Location: The River Mill (43 Ballyclander Road, Co Down, BT30 7DE)
Date: Saturday, April 19th
Time: 10.30am arrival for an 11.00am start, finishing at 5.00pm—with a break for lunch.
Cost: £70.00, including catered lunch. (To be paid prior to attending.)
12 participants maximum.
Email inforivermill@gmail.com to book

This workshop is curated for lovers of the short story and Ross will offer an opportunity to fine-tune your writing in this form. The group will reacquaint themselves with classic forms of storytelling and then playfully consider the role of subversion. Expect to plan and write a short story, and then to rip it up and start again. The day includes writing exercises, mini-lectures and lunch. In advance of the workshop, we will email you a few short stories which will be referenced by Ross.

Accommodation: if you want to stay at the River Mill either the night before the workshop or the evening after the workshop (or both!) then you will need to book that separately, and space limited www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Mar 11

The River Mill is thrilled to be hosting a short story workshop with the celebrated writer @leoneross.bsky.social . See photo for details.

April 19th
Limited to 12 participants

We anticipate places going quickly.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Mar 2

images.app.goo.gl/tecpcwFG38Cy...

Google Image Result for https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2NCB8RA/winston-churchill-displayed-his-siren-suit-a-sort-of-zippered-coverall-for-rapid-air-radio-dressing-before-white-house-intimates-and-the-press...

images.app.goo.gl

Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Mar 2

A photo getting much attention, and rightly so. Churchill visiting the White House during WWII, wearing military dress, not a suit. Pathetic that "I was lucky to escape any real fighting" @jdvance1.bsky.social should mock a military man for representing his forces in this way.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Mar 1

Some recent and wonderful additions to the River Mill library.
@lindamckenna.bsky.social
@garrettcarr.bsky.social
@picadorbooks.bsky.social
@doirepress.bsky.social

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Feb 6

A standing-room-only crowd at the Seamus Heaney Centre tonight to celebrate the launch of Garrett Carr's The Boy from the Sea (Picador). Great to see this level of support and admiration for Garrett. And introduced by the always stupendous Louise Kennedy .

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Reposted by Paul Maddern

Aoife Doyle @1adoyle.bsky.social · Feb 5

The soul replenishes here. I recommend nowhere more highly

Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Feb 5

"The sun slid lower and I willed gold and it came" (poet Jean Bleakney). A beautiful day at the mill. Open through May, at least. See www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Feb 5

"The sun slid lower and I willed gold and it came" (poet Jean Bleakney). A beautiful day at the mill. Open through May, at least. See www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Jan 30

If you come to the mill for a spell of writing, be prepared to overdose on DJ's cuteness. (He belongs to the neighbours but visits daily.)
www.the-river-mill.co.uk

Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Jan 30

And not forgetting 'Damiana'.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Jan 20

Alternative and better viewing.
It's his day, after all.
youtu.be/vP4iY1TtS3s?...

I Have a Dream speech by Martin Luther King .Jr HD (subtitled)

YouTube video by RARE FACTS

youtu.be

Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · Jan 15

Paul Singer, via the Elliott Hedge Fund, invests in Israel, owns Waterstones & Barnes&Noble, invests in fossil fuels and is a massive donor to Trump's campaigns.

He also supports SSM legislation because his son is gay.

Make sure you examine who supports your rights & who is selling your books.