Jonathan Davidson is a poet, writer and literature activist. He lives in the English Midlands but works internationally. His poetry has been widely published and he has also written memoir and criticism. His radio dramas and adaptations have been broadcast by BBC Radios 3 and 4. Much of his work is focussed on how writing – especially poetry – is experienced by readers and listeners.
Jonathan’s latest poetry collection is A Commonplace – Apples, Bricks & Other People’s Poems (Smith|Doorstop, August 2020). A conversation about how poetry exists as the underlying geology of our lives, Jonathan’s poems are complemented by work of other poets, littered with unruly footnotes. More…
A Commonplace
Bricks, Apples and Other People’s Poems
Published as Print and E-book on 1st August 2020
Events (readings, workshops, etc.)
Apart Together: Poetry Writing Workshop
With Jonathan Davidson for The Poetry Business
11:00 – 12:30 GMT, Friday 25th February 2022, Zoom
Using some great examples of previously enjoyed poems, we’ll be doing a bit of writing, a bit of listening and then a bit more writing. The focus will be on the sounds of poems, finding the words that work well together and then going on from there. For details and to book click here.
Writing More Poems & Making the Most of Them – 5 Week Short Course
With Jonathan Davidson for Welshpool Poetry Festival
19:00 – 21:00 GMT/BST, Mondays 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th March & Monday 4th April 2022, Zoom
£100 (bursary places available for those of limited financial means)
Those involved in the art and craft of poetry can often benefit from broadening the range of poetry they read, hear and write themselves. This short course will use a wide range of poems as inspiration for new work, thinking particularly about how speaking and listening to poetry can complement the reading and writing of poetry.
Aimed at both established and emerging poets, it will be run through a series of two hour Zoom meetings, with some tasks to be undertaken between sessions. As well as sharing work produced, the course will also look at ways of helping our poetry get read and heard in the wider world.
If previous courses are anything to go by, it will be relaxed, friendly and ‘lightly inspiring’! Participants will receive a template for planning their development as poets and a range of other useful information. There may be a free ‘end of course raffle’.
To book please contact Pat Edwards, Welshpool Poetry Festival, chelseavillas@btinternet.com
Welshpool Poetry Festival will run from 10th to 12th June 2022. Join their mailing list for latest details.
Other news…
On Poetry was selected by the poet Anthony Anaxagorou (author of How to Write It), as one of his Top 10 books about creative writing for The Guardian on 14th October 2020, alongside books by Zadie Smith, Sandeep Parmar and Ben Lerner.
A Commonplace has been included in The Morning Star’s ‘Best of 2020: Poetry‘ list, having been nominated by the poet Rosie Miles.
Jonathan now has a bookshop page on www.bookshop.org enabling some of the books mentioned in On Poetry and A Commonplace to be bought (with independent bookshops and Jonathan both receiving a 10% commission on the value of any books ordered.)
Click here to join Jonathan’s e-mail list
Event Recordings
Book Launch, Sunday 2nd August, 2020
A recording of the Sunday 2nd August 2020 on-line launch of A Commonplace with Jonathan Davidson, Jo Bell, Sue Brown, Gregory Leadbetter and Peter Sansom. More…
Ó Bhéal Poetry Reading Series Cork, Ireland
Nine Arches Press Lunchtime In Conversation
The Swindon Spring Festival of the Arts and Literature 2020
Jonathan Davidson 