York Literature Festival HUB 2018 event, Tuesday, 20th March

I'm looking forward to my first event for absolutely ages - at the York Literature Festival HUB. Many thanks to YLF and Valley Press for supporting the event, which will take place at the Theatre Royal. Free refreshments will be available at the event itself.

Of course I'm delighted that the popular Little Apple Bookshop in York will also be stocking 'Homecoming' at the theatre and in the shop.

Booking information is on the York Theatre Royal website.
All the festival events are here and are booking fast!

Helen Cadbury appreciation

When I first moved to York I went to a few local poetry events and was always made to feel welcome by hosts and participants alike. Helen Cadbury in particular was very welcoming and we would sometimes meet for tea at the Theatre Royal in between her no doubt productive meetings with theatre and poetry folk. As the years went by we had less time to catch up but did attend each other's book launches and Helen was kind enough to write a review for the back of my novel. She achieved well deserved success with her series of contemporary crime novels set in York. The Sean Denton Series

I was very sorry to hear of Helen's death earlier this year and she is a real loss to the cultural life of York. As Christmas approaches I am thinking of her family.

Valley Press is launching her poetry collection Forever, Now tomorrow night in York. Unfortunately the event is sold out but I will be thinking of Helen, her talent, and her warm welcome for everyone.

Helen was featured on this blog in 2011 with her poem From the Norse.

Summer and autumn round-up

This should really be a spring round-up as well: I've been out of action for much of the year with an injury, and had to cancel guest reader slots at several events, which was a shame. A post about Helen Cadbury is coming soon.

I did manage to get to The Speakers' Corner to take up a guest reader slot that supported David Costello. A very enjoyable night with great hosting by Andy Humphrey.

In October I will be guest reader at More Poetry in London. I haven't read in London for ages and am very much looking forward to this.

Ken Champion is one of the hosts of More Poetry. I've written a review on the back of his latest novel, Thrust, which is very perceptive about the architectural changes taking place in London. The three main characters are well-drawn and Ken's observations of city life are authentic and original as usual.

I was delighted to see that Homecoming was given a lovely review by Tanya Parker Nightingale in Dream Catcher Magazine. Many thanks. If you are one of my past or present creative writing students reading this post do check out Dream Catcher, which welcomes submissions of poetry and short stories, as well as artwork, interviews, and reviews.

The Inside-Out House is still receiving good reviews, which is exciting. I am currently completing my new Young Adult novel, Project Miriam.

My books are available in a few public and university libraries around the world. I was especially pleased to see a summary of my 2007 pamphlet 'Safe Passage' in a university library in Baylor, Texas.  Always expect the unexpected!

Poem on the Algebra of Owls website

I'm very pleased to say that one of my poems from 'Homecoming' is up on the excellent Yorkshire-based poetry e-zine Algebra of Owls.

Also, 'Homecoming' is available in the Guardian Bookshop. I have read more than a few of their recommended books over the years and I'm delighted to be in such good company.

Winter update 2016

It's been ages! I must say that although I will be keeping up this blog, I am finding Blogger increasingly user-unfriendly, so if you're on Facebook, I also have a regularly updated public 'The Inside-Out House' page: I also post my writerly news on Twitter.

Quite a few exciting things have happened in the last few months. Here's a seasonal round-up:

I'm very pleased to say that 'Homecoming' was reviewed in 'The Jewish Chronicle' in July, which featured a great review of my long poem for three voices, 'Bus Shelter':

Ezekiel's attempt at empathy with a Muslim, as a Jew and a poet, demonstrates passion effectively deployed.

'Homecoming' had a lovely review from Jenny Sharman at new Northern arts site 'Cuckoo Review'. This was a humbling review, as my poem 'Mary has been invited along to make up the numbers' has  reached a new audience:

From my view, this poem conveys an alternative angle on the pressures and expectations of modern-day society upon young people – something which Ezekiel should be applauded for.

'Homecoming' also had a great review from Ken Champion at 'Write Out Loud'. Ken's new novel 'Noir' is just out from Penniless Press.

...in this collection she is nearly always “at home”. It is a book to be fond of. Read it. You will read it again.

I had a very enjoyable time reading from 'Homecoming' and 'Centuries of Skin' at York Explore, with a number of local poets, for National Poetry Day, and was delighted to be invited to read at  'Finding the Words' with excellent poets Patrick Lodge and Mary Ann Dearlove, also at York Explore.

The 'The Cross-Stitcher' magazine also featured my poem 'Priceless' and a photo of the cover of 'Homecoming' in its July/August issue, along with a giveaway of a signed copy of 'Homecoming'. I have been cross-stitching for many years, and buy 'The Cross-Stitcher' myself, so was very excited to be featured.

And what about 'The Inside-Out House?'

I was very lucky to be in my local park on the day that author and journalist, Keiron Pim, visited, and ended up in his article on local parks:

As 'The Inside-Out House' is partly set in a local park I am very lucky to have had the book mentioned in his article!

I'm currently finishing my second novel and am continuing to enjoy teaching creative writing.

See you all soon.

book launch of joanna ezekiel's homecoming

Perhaps spring - whatever the weather - is the best time of year in which to publish a book. Both of my poetry collections came out in spring. My new poetry collection, Homecoming, was launched at the Oxfam Bookshop in Micklegate, York, last night. This morning, I saw a rare sight in the back yard - a bumblebee.

I'd like to thank everybody who attended on a cold night: fellow poets, poetry lovers, family, friends, neighbours (especially Pip).

Special thanks go to:

Jamie and Rosa from Valley Press, who are producing five books in five weeks! I was so delighted with Rosa's introduction that I will be including it in my blog profile. The Valley Press book table was very seductive - with a lovely new Valley Press banner behind it -, and I now have books by Di Slaney, Patrick Lodge, Malene Engelund and Kelley Swain to add to my summer reading list.

Rosa from Valley Press

Hamish at the Oxfam Bookshop, who was enthusiastic about the launch from the start, and his wife Sheila, whose room setting advice was invaluable. The bookshop has, among other sections, a large range of poetry books, a children's section, and some great postcards and greetings cards. Also lots of 'Divine' chocolate that I can never resist.

Amina Alyal

Oz Hardwick

Guest readers Amina Alyal and Oz Hardwick. Both Amina and Oz write poems that you can't sum up in terms of saying easily what they are 'about'. There are usually several surprising and creative connections involved. I am proud to have their endorsements on the back of my book, along with three other excellent poets: David Cooke, Fiona Sinclair, and:

Andy Humphrey, who also attended. Even though Andy is very busy he took the time to send out an extra email to remind people to attend.

Terry and Yafa, for the matzos, a kind thought.
And extra special thanks to Chris, Mum and Jon for all their support.

Chris has taken some great photos, which I think show that the Oxfam Bookshop in Micklegate is a nicely-lit venue.

If you have a copy of 'Homecoming'... I hope you enjoy it.

'homecoming' new poetry collection by joanna ezekiel

Homecoming is available on the Valley Press website, and from most online bookshops, including Amazon, W. H. Smith,
The Book Depository, Waterstones, Blackwell's, Wordery, Foyles, and Amazon.com in the USA.

There's a lot of excitement at mydelayedreactions at the moment, as my second poetry collection, 'Homecoming', will be published next month by Valley Press. It's dedicated to my Dad, who sadly died in 2013, and will contain poems written over a period of about ten years, including a Bridport Prize longlisted poem, and the title poem which was the Ryedale Poetry Competition winner in 2012.

I'll be launching 'Homecoming' at:
The Oxfam Bookshop, Micklegate, York, on Tuesday, 26th April at 7pm. I'm delighted to have poetic support from Oz Hardwick and Amina Alyal. The event is free, no need to book, and there will be refreshments available. 'Homecoming' is priced at £7.99.

I cross-stitched this design of 'Polperro' by Sybilla Davis Designs: the team at Valley Press did the rest. I can't wait to see this cover on the book itself!