A Flash of Heels

J.S.'s flash fiction story, 'Heels', is published in the June issue (#4) of Fictionette. The magazine is available to buy, or you can read the piece online if you sign up for a Fictionette account - apparently it's free. Check out the details on Fictionette's website.

ASP - Three New Poems

J.S. is delighted to have three new poems in issue 9 of Abergavenny Small Press's Literary Journal, published today and available to read on the ASP website. Check out the entire journal or dive straight into J.S.'s poems by clicking here .

Underword Comes To Hitchin

It's July and the Hitchin Festival is getting under way - a month long celebration of culture and entertainment.

J.S. is pleased to be participating. On Thursday, 27th July she will be at Halsey's Deli and Eatery reading from her most recent poetry collection, 'Underword'.

The poems of ‘Underword’ loosely follow the story of Orpheus whilst exploring the western world’s final taboo, death. Expect dark, thought-provoking poetry, some humour, at least one love poem and a robust approach to the end that waits us all.

It will be a 30 minute reading, kicking off at 3pm on the 27th. Make sure you book your ticket in advance. It includes a drink at the historic Halsey's Deli.

Flint - Time is Fleeting

The first volume of Flint is now available from Erro Press.

Flint Volume 1: Temporary is about the ephemeral nature of experience and emotion. Embracing the transitory nature of these encounters, we learn to find solace in impermanence and discover the beauty of leaning into the ever-changing dance of life.

This issue includes fiction from Zach Murphy, Rahela Begum, Die Booth and Roxane Llanque, plus poetry from J.S. Watts, LJ Ireton and Apollo Spencer.

STOP PRESS!

J.S. will be performing a brief reading of some of her poems at this year's Strawberry Fair in Cambridge.

You can find her at the Wild Strawberries Stage at approximately 3.25pm (timings are flexible) this afternoon, Saturday 3rd June.

In the Middle of May

The High Window has published J.S.'s review of Kathleen McPhilemy's fourth poetry collection, Back Country. J.S. describes it as "a confident, thoughtfully constructed collection", "a subtle and well-crafted exploration of place and the loss of it"

Acumen Reviews Underword

The literary journal Acumen has generously reviewed J.S.Watts' recent poetry collection Underword in its May 2023 edition (issue 106).

You'll have to hop over to the Acumen website to buy a copy of #106 in order to read its poetry, prose and reviews in full, but here's a flavour of its review of Underword :

"Watts' poems are dextrous and engaging, bearing the reader along with the narrative skills she has honed in her other life as a novelist."

"In the title poem 'Underword' we have the first reference in the book to Orpheus, whose mythical story is the guiding influence behind the collection."

"poems in Watts' collection have light and colour at their centre"

You can buy your own copy of Underword from this website and from Amazon, amongst other outlets.