Natalie Ann Holborow
@natholborow.bsky.social
Author of 'Little Universe' and 'Small' | Content Marketing Manager at Synergy Learning | Runner | T1D | 'Wild Running' out September 2025 📚🏃♀️
Roses are red
Violets are cloying
Don't plagiarise writers
It's fucking annoying x
Violets are cloying
Don't plagiarise writers
It's fucking annoying x
January 2, 2026 at 9:20 AM
Roses are red
Violets are cloying
Don't plagiarise writers
It's fucking annoying x
Violets are cloying
Don't plagiarise writers
It's fucking annoying x
A blog post about editing poems that features some of my very worst drafts from the depths of my Google Drive and why I now cringe at them, enjoy. Includes some tips and exercises if you're currently stuck creatively. ❤
natalieholborow.com/2025/12/28/e...
natalieholborow.com/2025/12/28/e...
Editing Poems: Emphasising Clarity Over Complexity
Is your poem “too simple” or just honest? This personal essay explores the fear of writing plainly, the pressure to sound poetic, and why simple poems often cut the deepest. With examples from Lang…
natalieholborow.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:32 PM
A blog post about editing poems that features some of my very worst drafts from the depths of my Google Drive and why I now cringe at them, enjoy. Includes some tips and exercises if you're currently stuck creatively. ❤
natalieholborow.com/2025/12/28/e...
natalieholborow.com/2025/12/28/e...
Not a Christmas poem, but a here's a poem with a little sprinkle of hope. ✨️🌿
December 26, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Not a Christmas poem, but a here's a poem with a little sprinkle of hope. ✨️🌿
Psychic abilities would be cool, not to predict my fate but to work out where the fuck Evri have put my parcels x
December 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Psychic abilities would be cool, not to predict my fate but to work out where the fuck Evri have put my parcels x
Chatting about Wild Running, nature, creativity and my love for North Gower in this episode of BBC Country Focus 💚🌿
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Country Focus - Food and Community Across Wales - BBC Sounds
Exploring food, trail running and community spirit across Wales.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Chatting about Wild Running, nature, creativity and my love for North Gower in this episode of BBC Country Focus 💚🌿
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Like running? Like writing? There's a monthly newsletter for that (yes, I've finally got off my arse and started one). Subscribe here to get route recommendations, writing prompts, horrid playlists and post-run recipes.
open.substack.com/pub/natholbo...
open.substack.com/pub/natholbo...
September 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Like running? Like writing? There's a monthly newsletter for that (yes, I've finally got off my arse and started one). Subscribe here to get route recommendations, writing prompts, horrid playlists and post-run recipes.
open.substack.com/pub/natholbo...
open.substack.com/pub/natholbo...
No one:
Writers working on their next manuscript: "wow okay that's loads, time for a break now"
Writers working on their next manuscript: "wow okay that's loads, time for a break now"
September 27, 2025 at 3:14 PM
No one:
Writers working on their next manuscript: "wow okay that's loads, time for a break now"
Writers working on their next manuscript: "wow okay that's loads, time for a break now"
Like running? Like books? Around Cardiff this evening?
Wild Running is launching on 18th September at Bookspace Cardiff! Tickets available here if you do plan on joining: www.bookspacecardiff.co.uk/products/wil...
Wild Running is launching on 18th September at Bookspace Cardiff! Tickets available here if you do plan on joining: www.bookspacecardiff.co.uk/products/wil...
Wild Running ticket
Join us for an evening in conversation with Natalie Ann Holborow about her new book Wild Running. When: 17/9/25 18:30 start (doors 18:10) Where: 26a Crwys Road, CF24 4NL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There wil...
www.bookspacecardiff.co.uk
September 18, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Like running? Like books? Around Cardiff this evening?
Wild Running is launching on 18th September at Bookspace Cardiff! Tickets available here if you do plan on joining: www.bookspacecardiff.co.uk/products/wil...
Wild Running is launching on 18th September at Bookspace Cardiff! Tickets available here if you do plan on joining: www.bookspacecardiff.co.uk/products/wil...
Reposted by Natalie Ann Holborow
Don’t forget you can pre-order ‘Wild Running’ on our website or in your local bookshop www.serenbooks.com/book/wild-ru...
A little extract of Wild Running in The Independent this morning, exploring Pen Y Fan and focusing on women's safety in running 🏃♀️ @serenbooks.bsky.social
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/w...
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/w...
Wild running gives me freedom, but I’m always looking over my shoulder
In this abridged extract from award-winning poet and writer Natalie Holborow’s new book ‘Wild Running’, she follows a trail around the Brecon Beacons in South Wales while reflecting on women’s safety
www.independent.co.uk
September 8, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Don’t forget you can pre-order ‘Wild Running’ on our website or in your local bookshop www.serenbooks.com/book/wild-ru...
Writers: "I hope someone reads my writing!"
Also writers: "oh god no, people are reading my writing, please stop that, it's making me panic and want to live in a hole"
Also writers: "oh god no, people are reading my writing, please stop that, it's making me panic and want to live in a hole"
September 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Writers: "I hope someone reads my writing!"
Also writers: "oh god no, people are reading my writing, please stop that, it's making me panic and want to live in a hole"
Also writers: "oh god no, people are reading my writing, please stop that, it's making me panic and want to live in a hole"
A little extract of Wild Running in The Independent this morning, exploring Pen Y Fan and focusing on women's safety in running 🏃♀️ @serenbooks.bsky.social
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/w...
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/w...
Wild running gives me freedom, but I’m always looking over my shoulder
In this abridged extract from award-winning poet and writer Natalie Holborow’s new book ‘Wild Running’, she follows a trail around the Brecon Beacons in South Wales while reflecting on women’s safety
www.independent.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 7:09 AM
A little extract of Wild Running in The Independent this morning, exploring Pen Y Fan and focusing on women's safety in running 🏃♀️ @serenbooks.bsky.social
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/w...
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/w...
Reposted by Natalie Ann Holborow
This is such a welcome, life-affirming & diverse edition of BBCRadio4 The Verb. Top form delivery from @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @lenniesaurus.bsky.social, Alex Wharton, @natholborow.bsky.social & Ian McMillan
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - The Verb, The Adverb at the Hay Festival 2025
Ian McMillan presents poets in performance for The Verb's performance wing, The Adverb.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 30, 2025 at 8:11 AM
This is such a welcome, life-affirming & diverse edition of BBCRadio4 The Verb. Top form delivery from @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @lenniesaurus.bsky.social, Alex Wharton, @natholborow.bsky.social & Ian McMillan
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Reposted by Natalie Ann Holborow
For the last couple of weeks, @natholborow.bsky.social & I have been in a poetry frenzy working on poems representing the Major Arcana & the zodiac signs... Really pleased with how they've turned out 🖊✨
Here's Cancer & Scorpio ♋️♍️
#Cancer #Scorpio #Zodiac #Horoscope #Astrology #Poetry
Here's Cancer & Scorpio ♋️♍️
#Cancer #Scorpio #Zodiac #Horoscope #Astrology #Poetry
August 18, 2025 at 11:28 AM
For the last couple of weeks, @natholborow.bsky.social & I have been in a poetry frenzy working on poems representing the Major Arcana & the zodiac signs... Really pleased with how they've turned out 🖊✨
Here's Cancer & Scorpio ♋️♍️
#Cancer #Scorpio #Zodiac #Horoscope #Astrology #Poetry
Here's Cancer & Scorpio ♋️♍️
#Cancer #Scorpio #Zodiac #Horoscope #Astrology #Poetry
Reposted by Natalie Ann Holborow
It's all feeling very real now! Luckily I've got a new poetry project with @natholborow.bsky.social to throw myself into while I worry about the launch of Witsh 👌🏼😂
#Writing #witchcraft #wales #historicalfiction
#Writing #witchcraft #wales #historicalfiction
August 14, 2025 at 10:01 AM
It's all feeling very real now! Luckily I've got a new poetry project with @natholborow.bsky.social to throw myself into while I worry about the launch of Witsh 👌🏼😂
#Writing #witchcraft #wales #historicalfiction
#Writing #witchcraft #wales #historicalfiction
oh not ozzy 😔
July 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM
oh not ozzy 😔
*plots novel*
*starts writing*
Characters: hahaha no lol x
*starts writing*
Characters: hahaha no lol x
July 22, 2025 at 5:53 PM
*plots novel*
*starts writing*
Characters: hahaha no lol x
*starts writing*
Characters: hahaha no lol x
This has been a dream to work on and a nice break to write about history, creativity and falling down hills on my backside in beautiful South Wales. Out September 15th! Pre-order here: www.serenbooks.com/book/wild-ru...
#running #writing #trailrunning
#running #writing #trailrunning
Coming soon: @natholborow.bsky.social encourages you to get out and explore South Wales in trainers in her new book ‘Wild Running’, publishing 15 September. Available to pre-order now www.serenbooks.com/book/wild-ru...
July 15, 2025 at 6:31 PM
This has been a dream to work on and a nice break to write about history, creativity and falling down hills on my backside in beautiful South Wales. Out September 15th! Pre-order here: www.serenbooks.com/book/wild-ru...
#running #writing #trailrunning
#running #writing #trailrunning
Reposted by Natalie Ann Holborow
"AN ABSOLUTE RIOT OF A BOOK"
In between award ceremonies for her poetry & fiction, and writing a non-fiction book about running, the awesome @natholborow.bsky.social has taken the time to read BLACK SKIES DIE STARLESS and then wrote about it.
Buy it now. Punkdust.com and all good bookshops
#poetry
In between award ceremonies for her poetry & fiction, and writing a non-fiction book about running, the awesome @natholborow.bsky.social has taken the time to read BLACK SKIES DIE STARLESS and then wrote about it.
Buy it now. Punkdust.com and all good bookshops
#poetry
July 4, 2025 at 9:10 PM
"AN ABSOLUTE RIOT OF A BOOK"
In between award ceremonies for her poetry & fiction, and writing a non-fiction book about running, the awesome @natholborow.bsky.social has taken the time to read BLACK SKIES DIE STARLESS and then wrote about it.
Buy it now. Punkdust.com and all good bookshops
#poetry
In between award ceremonies for her poetry & fiction, and writing a non-fiction book about running, the awesome @natholborow.bsky.social has taken the time to read BLACK SKIES DIE STARLESS and then wrote about it.
Buy it now. Punkdust.com and all good bookshops
#poetry
Reposted by Natalie Ann Holborow
Wales Book of the Year stuff. I look like I'm doing a Squid Game trial and am being forced to read for my life, but I do like poems honest x
If you want to support Little Universe, you can vote for it here:
nation.cymru/culture/vote...
If you want to support Little Universe, you can vote for it here:
nation.cymru/culture/vote...
June 14, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Wales Book of the Year stuff. I look like I'm doing a Squid Game trial and am being forced to read for my life, but I do like poems honest x
If you want to support Little Universe, you can vote for it here:
nation.cymru/culture/vote...
If you want to support Little Universe, you can vote for it here:
nation.cymru/culture/vote...
Today's poetry research Google searches:
1) "Do seals sweat"
2) "Where does Pingu live"
3) "What is the root meaning of the word 'absurd'"
4) "Can a bee fancy a wasp"
1) "Do seals sweat"
2) "Where does Pingu live"
3) "What is the root meaning of the word 'absurd'"
4) "Can a bee fancy a wasp"
June 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Today's poetry research Google searches:
1) "Do seals sweat"
2) "Where does Pingu live"
3) "What is the root meaning of the word 'absurd'"
4) "Can a bee fancy a wasp"
1) "Do seals sweat"
2) "Where does Pingu live"
3) "What is the root meaning of the word 'absurd'"
4) "Can a bee fancy a wasp"
Thrilled to be shortlisted for the Rhys Davies Short Story Comp! Hoping this one’s a step up from my first story, where a mermaid invited me to tea, I said “Mam says it’s too late,” and she swam off. That was it (still my tidiest ending).
Thanks to the judges and congrats to all! ❤️
Thanks to the judges and congrats to all! ❤️
June 26, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Thrilled to be shortlisted for the Rhys Davies Short Story Comp! Hoping this one’s a step up from my first story, where a mermaid invited me to tea, I said “Mam says it’s too late,” and she swam off. That was it (still my tidiest ending).
Thanks to the judges and congrats to all! ❤️
Thanks to the judges and congrats to all! ❤️
Reposted by Natalie Ann Holborow
A response to recent blog posts from fellow poets @zoebrigley.bsky.social & @natholborow.bsky.social reflecting on the uncanny feeling of reading reviews of your own book & the freelance writer life post-PhD createdtoread.com/back-to-the-...
Back to the Book Blog: Teaching, Readings and ReviewsBack to the Book Blog: Teaching, Readings and Reviews
I used to love writing blog posts and book reviews, and then I became a PhD student. From 2019 to 2024 I buried myself waist-deep in research while juggling a career as a freelance poet, creative writ...
createdtoread.com
June 23, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A response to recent blog posts from fellow poets @zoebrigley.bsky.social & @natholborow.bsky.social reflecting on the uncanny feeling of reading reviews of your own book & the freelance writer life post-PhD createdtoread.com/back-to-the-...
Reposted by Natalie Ann Holborow
"Holborow is a craft master. She knows when to pause and allow the poems to breathe."
Thanks to Eric Ngalle and @nation.cymru for this review of Little Universe by @natholborow.bsky.social
nation.cymru/culture/book...
Thanks to Eric Ngalle and @nation.cymru for this review of Little Universe by @natholborow.bsky.social
nation.cymru/culture/book...
Book review: Little Universe by Natalie Ann Holborow
We continue our reviews of books shortlisted for this year’s Wales Book of the Year award. Little Universe is one of 12 English language books shortlisted for the 2025 Wales Book of the Year. You can ...
nation.cymru
June 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
"Holborow is a craft master. She knows when to pause and allow the poems to breathe."
Thanks to Eric Ngalle and @nation.cymru for this review of Little Universe by @natholborow.bsky.social
nation.cymru/culture/book...
Thanks to Eric Ngalle and @nation.cymru for this review of Little Universe by @natholborow.bsky.social
nation.cymru/culture/book...
'Few writers compel you to pause and reflect, take a deep breath, and declare, “This is simply magical.” Natalie Ann Holborow is one of them.'
I'm in a weird mood today so this review of Little Universe made me cry a little (in a good way).
nation.cymru/culture/book...
I'm in a weird mood today so this review of Little Universe made me cry a little (in a good way).
nation.cymru/culture/book...
Book review: Little Universe by Natalie Ann Holborow
We continue our reviews of books shortlisted for this year’s Wales Book of the Year award. Little Universe is one of 12 English language books shortlisted for the 2025 Wales Book of the Year. You can ...
nation.cymru
June 22, 2025 at 8:38 PM
'Few writers compel you to pause and reflect, take a deep breath, and declare, “This is simply magical.” Natalie Ann Holborow is one of them.'
I'm in a weird mood today so this review of Little Universe made me cry a little (in a good way).
nation.cymru/culture/book...
I'm in a weird mood today so this review of Little Universe made me cry a little (in a good way).
nation.cymru/culture/book...