Book reviews:

https://londongrip.co.uk/2020/11/an-anthology-of-illness/

https://notashotasmyteapot.wordpress.com/2020/11/22/the-emma-press-anthology-of-illness-honest-vulnerable-and-raw/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CH7bQGXApZf/

The Glass Magazine review writes:

In others, the complex relationship between patient and medical practitioner is addressed. Some feel comforted – and even, I must add, excited – by these practices of care, while others feel exposed and embarrassed. Overall, the anthology feels wide-reaching in its collection of poems that expose the fragile nature of human bodies at the intersection of decline and regeneration. Rebekah Miron’s poem, Checkup, pulls together the delicate edges of a waiting room, reading as an uncannily familiar experience:

It’s been a busy few months! The autumn edition of the Frogmore papers was published including my poem – Moon Bear – which was shortlisted for the Frogmore poetry prize. I’ll include the poem below:

Also, The Emma Press Anthology of Illness was published including my poem – Checkup! I’ll include some links below and the launch video (I read at around 51.00 minutes in).

My poem is mentioned in this review: https://www.theglassmagazine.com/glass-reviews-the-emma-press-anthology-of-illness/

You can also buy a copy here: https://theemmapress.com/shop/anthology-of-illness/

I received news yesterday that my poem – Moon Bear – was shortlisted for The Frogmore Poetry Prize 2020! The shortlist is only 10 poems long so I’m so proud to have made the selection. This competition was judged by Maria Jastrzebska, a Polish-British poet, feminist, editor, translator and playwright. My poem will be published in the autumn edition of the Frogmore Papers – you can find out more about the Frogmore Press on their website linked below (including how to subscribe to the magazine). http://www.frogmorepress.co.uk 

Sorry it’s been a bit quiet here – I’ve been working away trying to use this quarantine for all the hours I can.  But good news! I’ve recently had five poems accepted for publication by Maudlin House, Mineral Literary Magazine, Nymphs Publications and Lunate Magazine. These poems should be going live sporadically over the next month or two. I’ll be sharing them @rebekahmiron over on Twitter when the time comes, so please do take a look! I’ve also got a poem coming later this year in an anthology from The Emma Press, which I’m very excited for. Hopefully more news to come soon!

I’m so proud to have a poem published with Rattle – their poets respond series is one I’ve been reading for years, not to mention that Rattle pays its authors for each contribution. But I’m especially proud because the poem they chose, is one that I felt really passionate about. I’ll copy the link here (which also has an audio recording) and paste my comment on the subject matter below:

https://www.rattle.com/celebrity-by-rebekah-miron/

In a world where you can be anything, be kind,’ wrote Caroline Flack on social media last December. On Saturday, we learned the much-loved British presenter had taken her own life. While there’s never a simple explanation for this kind of tragedy, it’s clear the British tabloids played no small part. Flack was tormented and harassed during a mental health crisis.

An online petition calling for a law that would prevent newspapers from ‘sharing private information that is detrimental to a celebrity, their mental health and those around them,’ has quickly gained over 400,000 signatures. Politicians have also lined up to criticise the tabloids, as well as hate-fueled social media commentators. This comes just weeks after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry threatened legal action against several British tabloids.

I felt so sad and shocked when I heard the news about Caroline Flack. I wanted to write something in response, to address the vicious gossip-mongers who tear women in the media to shreds. Some shame-faced tabloids have even been deleting cruel articles in the wake of Flack’s death. But I also felt I had to acknowledge something about gossip in general, because there’s no supply without demand. We have to turn away from the tabloids, ignore the clickbait, we can’t believe everything we read in the papers. When we consume this fakery, we become part of the problem too.

Update: I forgot to edit this post, but I was so happy to win first place in this prize last year. I hear the poetry reading on my behalf was extremely good and I’m so glad to have been involved in some way.

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Thrilled to have my poem – The Red Moon – shortlisted for the Sir Philip Sidney Poetry Prize! The winner will be announced this weekend at the Poetry and Ploughman’s lunch at Penshurst Festival. Unfortunately I’m not able to attend, but a lovely volunteer will be reading my poem on my behalf. If you’re local (or not!) make sure you visit the festival for fun, books, music, comedy and more. 

You can also get tickets for the poetry event here: https://bit.ly/2ndqYtP

A few weeks ago, I received news that my poem in The American Poetry Journal Issue 17 has been nominated for The Orison Anthology run by @OrisonBooks!

You can read the nominated poem here: – Dinner in Zurich

This news is a little bit overdue but! – one of my poems was recently accepted by The Emma Press for their Illness Anthology edited by Amy Mackelden and Dylan Jaggard. By this time next year, I’ll have a poem printed in an actual book (!) that will be in bookshops and available online! I’ll post updates as they come in, but thank you to those who’ve already gotten in touch via Twitter. I’m very excited and grateful for all the support. More news to come soon!

Published for World Suicide Prevention Day.

Max
Rebekah Miron

You were in the woods, and
had I been home, I would have
known how to find you. How
to pick the moss from your hair,
and make fun of the moon always
following us there, following you.

Little beast with a hook through your cheek.

Even after they took you away, scruffy
and white, the fight folded small in your
chest, I confess I still went looking for you.
I told the wild things you’d gone home.

I’m so grateful to The American Poetry Journal for including my poem ‘Dinner in Zürich’ in their December issue. The experience I had submitting to this journal was unlike any I’ve had before. The editors were exceptional – supportive, creative, organised, and they really champion their authors. After sending in my poem, we worked together to make sure it was the best it could be before publishing. I’d like to thank Theresa Senato Edwards and Carolee Bennett for their feedback. It’s a rare thing and a valuable resource, to find a journal prepared to dedicate time to helping writers develop. If you’re looking for somewhere that is both friendly and professional to send your work, I’d recommend you take a look at this journal. You can find the current issue and my poem here.