‘A huge contribution to Write Out Loud’: Julian Jordon recalls the generosity, enthusiasm and knowledge of Paul Blackburn
I struggle to believe that our pal, our big, bold, barmy, Bohemian brother-in-arms has left the stage, so abruptly, so prematurely. Paul Blackburn made a huge, unique, contribution to the development of Write Out Loud in its formative years, combining his education (Ruskin, Oxford), skills (computer programming), knowledge (especially poetry, but much else besides), and experiences of his varied p...
28th September 2023
Beat poet and Cream lyricist Pete Brown dies aged 82
The Beat poet Pete Brown, who appeared at the Albert Hall in the 1960s with Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Michael Horovitz, and also co-wrote hit songs for the band Cream in the same period, has died at the age of 82 from cancer.
In 1965 Brown was there at the poetry h...
20th May 2023
Poet, reviewer and artist Carla Scarano D'Antonio dies suddenly
The co-compere of Write Out Loud Woking at the Lightbox, and a regular reviewer for Write Out Loud, Carla Scarano D’Antonio, has died suddenly and unexpectedly at her home at the age of 60.
Ita...
15th March 2023
'A daring, funny, inventive writer': fellow poets pay tribute to Grant Tarbard
Many tributes have been paid on social media to the poet and editor Grant Tarbard, who has died suddenly at the age of 43, after suffering from ill health throughout his life.
The poet George Szirt...
11th April 2022
‘He really believed in Write Out Loud’: David Andrew, former Gig Guide editor, dies aged 82
We at Write Out Loud are very sorry to say that one of the most influential, active, enthusiastic and committed members of the Write Out Loud team over the years - our former Gig Guide editor, David A...
23rd March 2022
Friend of Write Out Loud Kim Haygarth dies, age 47
It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of friend of Write Out Loud, Kim Haygarth (pictured in 2009), on Saturday 12 March at the very early age of 47 years.
Kim was a wonderful frien...
22nd March 2022
Jamaica's Jean 'Binta' Breeze dies aged 65
The Jamaican poet Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze, who was awarded an MBE in 2012, has died at the age of 65 after a period of ill-health. She was represented by Renaissance One Writers and Event who said that sh...
6th August 2021
Cultural campaigner and poetic free spirit Michael Horovitz dies aged 86
A veteran poet of energy and spirit who determinedly kept the flame of the 1960s burning for another 50 years and beyond has died at the age of 86. In 1965 Michael Horovitz helped to persuade Allen Gi...
16th July 2021
Tributes paid to innovative poet and protest verse editor Reuben Woolley
Fellow poets have delivered many tributes on social media to the innovative poet and online editor Reuben Woolley, who has died after a long illness at the age of 67.
Reuben Woolley, who was origin...
5th December 2019
Poet, translator and biographer Elaine Feinstein dies aged 88
The poet, biographer and translator Elaine Feinstein has died at the age of 88. Her publisher Carcanet said: “She was one of Carcanet's dearest and oldest friends, and she will be deeply missed.”
E...
24th September 2019
Tributes paid to performance poet, musician, and historian Dave Reeves
Poets, publishers and arts organisations have paid tribute to West Midlands performance poet and musician, historian and poetry activist Dave Reeves, who has died at the age of 65.
Dave Reeves was ...
4th August 2019
Tributes paid to innovative poet, artist and campaigner Leanne Bridgewater
Tributes have been paid to innovative poet, artist and animal rights campaigner Leanne Bridgewater, whose recent death at the age of 29 has shocked and saddened the many people who knew her in the poe...
20th March 2019
Poets pay tribute to Frances White at reading
A London poet with strong family ties in south Wales has died of Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 68. Frances White, an English teacher and teacher of the deaf, published her debut collection, Swif...
8th January 2019
Jazzman John Clarke, Beat poet
A legendary and much-loved name on the London poetry scene and beyond, John Robert Clarke – aka Jazzman John Clarke – has died. Styling himself as a Beat poet in the tradition of Ginsberg and Kerouac,...
13th August 2018
Harry O'Neill, staunch member and supporter of Write Out Loud, dies aged 89
The online community at Write Out Loud was saddened on Sunday to hear of the death of one of its staunchest and enthusiastic supporters, Harry O’Neill.
Harry’s family posted on Write Out Loud: “It ...
18th February 2018
'Poem a day' West Midlands poet Win Saha dies aged 94
The West Midlands poet Win Saha, who was featured in an interview on Write Out Loud last year, has died at the age of 94. Win, a prolific writer and stalwart of the local poetry scene, wrote a poem ev...
1st February 2018
Tribute to 'warmth and humanity' of poet Christo James
The poet and arts commentator Christopher James Heyworth, known to many of his poetry friends as Christo James, has died suddenly in hospital aged 71. Christo James was a retired college lecturer and ...
25th August 2017
Elizabeth Burns, a poet of the everyday and the transcendent
Elizabeth Burns, who has died after a long illness, was considered by many to be one of the finest of contemporary poets. Born in 1957, she was better known and appreciated in Scotland where she grew...
4th September 2015
Glenys Feeney: north-west poet and compere 'with sparkling wit'
A poetry organiser in the north-west has paid tribute to “a dear friend” with a “big heart and sparkling wit” after the death of poet and compere Glenys Feeney, pictured on the right.
Christopher C...
27th April 2015
Death of north-west poet Janet Ramsden
A long-standing, active member of the north-west poetry scene, Janet Ramsden, has died after a brief illness, members of Write Out Loud will be saddened to hear.
Janet died on 27 November in a ...
7th January 2013
Death of north-west poet John Clays
John Clays, a stalwart of Wigan and Write Out Loud, passed away recently. A much-loved character of the Wigan and Bolton events over the years, John often had a smile and a sestina to share. I firs...
17th October 2012
