Laura McKee
LightNews LightNews
banner
lauramckee.bsky.social
Laura McKee
@lauramckee.bsky.social
1.3K followers 940 following 1.1K posts
She/her
poetry: The Poetry Review, fourteen poems, Propel.
A winner in Cafe Writers Competition, Guernsey Lit. Shortlisted in Bridport, Rialto Nature & Place. Pamphlet take care of your hooves darling Against the Grain Press.
Wild flowers and photography.
Posts Replies Media Videos
lauramckee.bsky.social
Ok so now I have to recover from Karen omg the start of that dance especially #Strictly
November 22, 2025 at 7:38 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
I am here for Bal dancing with women in stockings and so on every week please. #Strictly
November 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
This postbox topper cheered up my day so I thought I’d share incase any fans of Wicked would like to see and possibly make a donation to the children’s hospice group. (Click on the QR Code in first photo if so!)
This Topper is to celebrate my favourite musical... WICKED ...Part Two being released on 21 November (hooray!) If you enjoy my toppers, if you love Wicked, or if you believe that 'everyone deserves a chance to fly, please donate to Demelza Children's Hospice. Just point your phone camera at this QR code and click on the link that appears. Every Little Helps My target is £3000 - we're very nearly therell Please email me if there's a problem with the topper... yourknittingneighbour@gmail.com Thanks, Beverley Knitted girl and dog from Wicked on postbox topper. Knitted winged monkey creature from Wicked on postbox topper. Knitted Green faced witch from Wicked on a postbox topper
November 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
It was one of my nicest ever surprises when I found out I had been placed second in this comp at the beginning of this year. CafeWriters do so much to support poets and poetry so your entry gives a little bit back. Good luck!
cafewriters.bsky.social Café Writers @cafewriters.bsky.social · 19h
If you’re thinking of entering our competition this is the weekend to do it! www.cafewriters.co.uk/home/poetry-...
Poetry Competition | Cafe Writers
www.cafewriters.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Reposted by Laura McKee
brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
We didn’t get Books Council Wales funding, it would've meant 5 years of stability. It’s a blow, and it means a rockier road ahead, but our commitment to ambitious, inclusive, working-class publishing stays firm. If you want to help: buy a book, spread the word, or donate:

ko-fi.com/brokensleepb...
Dear friends, I’m writing with some difficult news. We recently applied for long-term revenue funding through the Books Council of Wales, support that would have secured stability for Broken Sleep Books for the next five years and helped us continue publishing the ambitious, risk-taking, inclusive work we believe in so deeply. Unfortunately, we were not successful. It’s disappointing, of course. We put forward a strong application, had a positive interview, and genuinely believed our publishing programme where we champion low socio-economic status authors, working-class authors, and marginalised authors, while widening access to the arts and degentrifying the arts, reflected the cultural values Wales should be proud to support. Clearly, our idea of cultural value doesn’t fully match the Books Council’s. Sometimes decisions go another way. What hasn’t changed is our commitment. Broken Sleep Books will carry on publishing with the same determination, ambition, and care that has always sustained us, just with fewer resources and a much harder road ahead. If you value what we do, there are meaningful ways you can help us weather this moment: 📚 Buy a book, or a few Every purchase directly supports the press. Browse the catalogue here: https://www.brokensleepbooks.com/books 🎁 Consider our books as gifts With the holidays approaching, this makes a real difference. 💬 Spread the word Tell a friend, share our books online, recommend us to a bookshop, or forward this newsletter. ❤️ Make a donation (if you’re able) Some readers have asked how they can help directly. If you’d like to support our work with a small donation, we’ve set up a simple option here: https://ko-fi.com/brokensleepbooks (Please only give if you’re in a position to do so, we know times are hard for many.) Broken Sleep has always been a community effort, powered by readers, writers, booksellers, and supporters who believe in literature that takes risks and makes space for voices that don’t always find a home elsewhere. Thank you, sincerely, for sticking with us. Your support means everything, especially right now.
November 20, 2025 at 4:18 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
One of a crop of tiny fungi which may have been orange mosscap (Rickenella fibula). Love the colour! 🧡
Small orange fungus amongst damp grass.
November 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Laura McKee
asteralesjournal.bsky.social
We were captured by this dizzy flash piece by @willmusgrove.bsky.social

Take a spin here: asteralesjournal.com/1-4-musgrove...
November 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Reposted by Laura McKee
jessmookherjee.bsky.social
Send me your poems !

Be brave with your words, see what happens… 💕
November 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Reposted by Laura McKee
jessmookherjee.bsky.social
Im judging this years @cafewriters.bsky.social poetry competition - its now open so send me your best poems. www.cafewriters.co.uk/home/poetry-... #poetrycompetition
Poetry Competition | Cafe Writers
www.cafewriters.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Laura McKee
mslexia.bsky.social
Whether you're planning on entering our 2026 Poetry Pamphlet Competition or just looking to take the next step with your craft, check out these words of wisdom from our judge, Imtiaz Dharker...

#amwriting #writingcommunity
November 18, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by Laura McKee
vickymackenzie.bsky.social
One for the #MargeryKempe stans. And the #RayWinstone stans. Dream team! 😭💪
BBC Radio 4 - History's Heroes, History's Toughest Heroes, Margery Kempe: Ministry of Tears share.google/bodbTnqBVfQC...
BBC Radio 4 - History's Heroes, History's Toughest Heroes, Margery Kempe: Ministry of Tears
A medieval woman finds superhuman strength in her tears.
share.google
November 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Laura McKee
poetclare.bsky.social
Forgot to mention I did the Wee Sparrow Poetry Podcast. Was lovely to chat about LIVES OF THE FEMALE POETS @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social theweesparrowpoetrypress.substack.com/p/episode-66...
Episode 66 - Clare Pollard
In this episode, Claire chats to acclaimed poet, novelist, playwright, translator and editor Clare Pollard about her fantastic sixth collection of poetry Lives of the Female Poets published by Bloodax...
theweesparrowpoetrypress.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:45 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
I'm a demon lord 😈
Fall off what? I ain't seen the horse
- Doja Cat
Demon face yellow leaf with eye holes and horns.
November 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM
lauramckee.bsky.social
Don’t penic.
Wall with partially erased graffiti says penic. Green grass below wall.
November 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Laura McKee
sylvatica2024.bsky.social
3 Cornered Leek and Thrift from Polperro, Cornwall today for #wildflowerhour

Allium triquetrum
Armeria maritima
November 16, 2025 at 8:17 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
Some fun guys for #WildflowerHour
Orange fungi on dark brown wet fallen tree trunk. Yellow fungi looking starry amongst the sparkly wet grass.
November 16, 2025 at 8:24 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
Holly on rainy day heathland for #WildflowerHour
Bright red holly berries with rain drop, glossy green spiky leaves.
November 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
Haven’t seen this before but think it’s Shaggy Soldier (classic silly wildflower name lol). #WildflowerHour
Small white flower yellow centre amongst green leaves (Shaggy Soldier).
November 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
One or two little flowers seen of red dead nettle #WildflowerHour
Small pink flower of red dead nettle plant with hair edged lobes on green leaves.
November 16, 2025 at 8:07 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
I just adore Carlos #Strictly
November 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Laura McKee
inksweatandtears.co.uk
Closes today. Don't miss out!
poetrybusiness.bsky.social The Poetry Business @poetrybusiness.bsky.social · 7d
The 2026 International Book & Pamphlet Competition and the 2026 New Poets Prize are closing for entries TOMORROW!

Enter your poems for a chance to have your pamphlet published by Smith|Doorstop 📚

Deadline 16 November 2025

Enter on our website: poetrybusiness.co.uk/competitions/
November 16, 2025 at 1:27 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
Not a gravestone but a delightful little tribute stone to William Morris found today after a little bit of searching involving fog, rain, mud, pavementless roads, and clambering over railings. I was about to give up and was strolling on wistfully, pretending I had a big beard, when I found it!
Small stone honouring William Morris’s walk to his nearest (not near at all) railway station reads: Si Je Puis WILLIAM MORRIS 1834 - 1896 CRAFTSMAN, DESIGNER, POET, SOCIALIST He lived at Red. House, Bexley Heath, from 1860 to 1865 and passed this spot regularly to and from Abbey Wood Station BEXLEY CIVIC SOCIETY MILLENNIUM YEAR
November 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
lauramckee.bsky.social
Wouldn’t the starting point for a defamation claim be oh idk having a good character to be defamed?
November 15, 2025 at 10:38 AM
lauramckee.bsky.social
Shall I compare me to a foggy day.
November 15, 2025 at 10:05 AM
lauramckee.bsky.social
Flowers outside the library in the constant rains of Storm Claudia today. 💕
Pink lilies (?) in the rain, outside the library.
November 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM