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Matt Abbott 🍉

@mattabbottpoet.com

850 followers 340 following 460 posts

✍️🏻 Poet, award-winning lyricist & educator 📚 2 full-length poetry collections 📍 Leeds, UK 🦚 #lufc ♂️ He/him 🧠 ADHD 🎤 @livewirepoetry.org 🌐 mattabbottpoet.com

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Jun 26

I was over the moon to find that my début novel was shortlisted for this year's Sid Chaplin Award.

I've been working on the project on or off since 2019, and it's difficult to maintain confidence in something after a while - particularly in a new form.

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 1d

Seamus Heaney had a poem published for the first time on Saturday. I've devised a three-part exercise in response ✍️🏻

Writing exercise responding to a Seamus Heaney poem

A three-part exercise to generate some fresh drafts, or to develop pre-existing ideas

open.substack.com

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 6d

Everybody knows how different 11 year olds are from 16 year olds, but this post looks at the incremental changes through the year groups.

Communicating across secondary school year groups

A few tips on the differences between engaging groups of school pupils from ages 11 through to 16

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 8d

This approach entered my poetry writing process out of necessity in 2017 and has remained ever since.

'Deep sea diving' as a poetry approach

The best ones often tend to be right near the bed of the ocean

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 16d

Some writing prompts responding to an Inua Ellams poem ✍️🏻

Writing prompts responding to an Inua Ellams poem

A few exercises looking at Inua's incredible prize-winning poem 'Fuck/Boys'

open.substack.com

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 19d

I'm no @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com and nor will I try to be, but here are some tips I've picked up over the last decade or so.

10 tips for managing cash flow as a freelancer

I'm drawing from my experience as a freelance poet, but this should apply to most similar careers

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 22d

Are you visiting a school for #NationalPoetryDay and in need of a few ideas on this year's theme? Here are some exercises I've designed for upper KS2/lower KS3.

A few classroom exercises on the theme of 'Play'

Exploring this year's National Poetry Day (UK) theme ahead of your potential school visits

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

Reposted by Matt Abbott 🍉

Roaring 20s Radio @roaring20sradio.substack.com · 24d

📻 𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬 📡

Tune into Soho Radio from 2-4pm as we're joined live in the studio by superstar guest Sukie Smith!

Ep54 will include our usual round-ups and features, plus a perfect playlist to kick-start your week.

Hosts: @salenagodden.bsky.social, @amahrose.bsky.social & @mattabbottpoet.com

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 26d

Hello. My latest Substack post is one I've been looking forward to writing for a while...

A new poem, a book deal, and a new monthly feature

I'm about to enter a significant new phase for my poetry career, which is great news for The Day Job!

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

Reposted by Matt Abbott 🍉

headfallsoff @headfallsoff.com · 28d

every time there's political violence discourse i think about how jo cox was assassinated in broad daylight by a fascist who shouted "britain first" as he shot her, and now nine years later her party is dedicating every moment in power to placating the ideology of her murderer

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 29d

Thanks, Dawn — that's very much appreciated!

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Sep 8

I'm standing for election to the Society of Authors management committee!

Here's my full candidate statement. Voting closes on 22 Oct.

Why I’m standing for the SoA management committee

Poet Matt Abbott is standing for election to the Society of Authors management committee.

mattabbottpoet.com

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Sep 5

My latest post aims to provide a few tips for those dreaded moments on stage when you feel like you're totally losing your audience! Even though you almost certainly aren't, because...y'know...anxiety.

When you feel like you're losing your audience...

A few tips on how to cope when it feels like a live performance is escaping your grip

open.substack.com

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Sep 3

𝟮𝟬𝟬 subscribers to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗯
📧

If you're a new or emerging poet and you haven't come across my newsletter yet, have a butcher's!

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Sep 2

Be the poet wandering around with their little black notebook, except you're speaking instead of scribbling.

Try this: generating poems through voice notes

An unusual but effective poetry writing technique for you to try next time you want some fresh inspiration

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Sep 2

I still can't believe we agreed to sign him for £5m whilst selling Phillips for (what felt like) a low fee.

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Sep 1

I very much doubt it 🙄

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Sep 1

Absolutely. It's a colossal relief, to be honest!

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Sep 1

If it's possible to have a face for radio, Gabby Agbonlahor has a voice for print.

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Aug 29

Anything on a Mainoo loan, Beren? Or is that pie in the sky...?

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Aug 29

Some detailed insights into producing poetry merch for my paid subscribers, including financial info.

Some insights into producing poetry merch

Financial details and production processes, including audio and apparel products

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Aug 26

𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗣𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗧 𝗩𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗕 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗘𝗧

𝘚𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘣𝘴
Big; Big Big; Big Big Big

𝘓𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳
Top; Top Top; Top Top Top

𝘈𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦
Un𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃able

𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘺
For me, y'know, look, at the end of the day, it's about winning football matches

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Aug 26

Today's post invites you to respond to the iconic political poet Assata Shakur.

Poetry writing exercise in response to Assata Shakur

Some poetry writing prompts on responding to Assata Shakur's poem 'I Believe in Living'

mattabbottpoet.substack.com

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Aug 22

It feels like we're at a stage where the actual real-life Premier League primarily exists to fuel people's obsession with FPL.

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Aug 21

I've enjoyed many a pint of Northern Monk over the years, so I was chuffed to be commissioned to write this poem for their inaugural Great Northern Day event!

Great Northern Day poem for Northern Monk Brewery

Matt Abbott's poetry commission for Northern Monk Brewery, ahead of their inaugural Great Northern Day event.

mattabbottpoet.com

Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · Aug 20

My monthly round-up of UK poetry events and fresh poetry books for August. No paywall, folks ✌🏻

Poetry events and books round-up: August 2025

A selection of UK-based live poetry events and publications for you to check out

mattabbottpoet.substack.com