Matt Gilbert
@richlyevocative.bsky.social
Poetry bothering, blog tinkering, place pondering, musically promiscuous, book-loving freelance copywriter. Likely to moan & rail at the unfairness & absurdity of life. Poetry links https://richlyevocative.net/articles-reviews-first-published-elsewhere/
Pinned
Matt Gilbert
@richlyevocative.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Time to reintroduce myself. I write a blog about place, books & other distractions - richlyevocative.net also a published poet - my collection Street Sailing came out last year @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social Some of my work has appeared recently in Stand, Acumen, Dust Northern Gravy & Southword.
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Read all about the new issue here. Drops Nov 28th. Interviews, poems, poetry. Last subs day Sunday if you want a print copy on the day of release. #newissue #news #stars #coverreveal
themadridreview.com/f/rushdie-ho...
themadridreview.com/f/rushdie-ho...
Rushdie, Holmes and Cabellut Illuminate the new Madrid Review
In the new issue of The Madrid Review, publishing on November 28th, readers will encounter one of the magazine’s most ambitious and wide-ranging editions yet: a celebration of international literature...
themadridreview.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Read all about the new issue here. Drops Nov 28th. Interviews, poems, poetry. Last subs day Sunday if you want a print copy on the day of release. #newissue #news #stars #coverreveal
themadridreview.com/f/rushdie-ho...
themadridreview.com/f/rushdie-ho...
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
What a beautiful anthology from The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press, curated and co-edited by @marcellenewbold.bsky.social and Bronwen Evans. I was delighted to have a poem chosen alongside many wonderful poets.
Find out more about it here: www.theweesparrowpoetrypress.com/lines-of-com...
Find out more about it here: www.theweesparrowpoetrypress.com/lines-of-com...
November 12, 2025 at 9:46 PM
What a beautiful anthology from The Wee Sparrow Poetry Press, curated and co-edited by @marcellenewbold.bsky.social and Bronwen Evans. I was delighted to have a poem chosen alongside many wonderful poets.
Find out more about it here: www.theweesparrowpoetrypress.com/lines-of-com...
Find out more about it here: www.theweesparrowpoetrypress.com/lines-of-com...
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Thsnk you for reading and sharing today's poem - Mezzotint by Julie Hogg
November 11, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Thsnk you for reading and sharing today's poem - Mezzotint by Julie Hogg
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Publication Day for NEON MANILA by @troycabida.bsky.social
A dazzling #debut exploring queer Filipino identity & pop culture, embracing fashion, humour, music, dating, desire & everyday city living. A book of 'unflinching vulnerability' & finding your own truth 🧡
ninearchespress.com/publications...
A dazzling #debut exploring queer Filipino identity & pop culture, embracing fashion, humour, music, dating, desire & everyday city living. A book of 'unflinching vulnerability' & finding your own truth 🧡
ninearchespress.com/publications...
October 30, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Publication Day for NEON MANILA by @troycabida.bsky.social
A dazzling #debut exploring queer Filipino identity & pop culture, embracing fashion, humour, music, dating, desire & everyday city living. A book of 'unflinching vulnerability' & finding your own truth 🧡
ninearchespress.com/publications...
A dazzling #debut exploring queer Filipino identity & pop culture, embracing fashion, humour, music, dating, desire & everyday city living. A book of 'unflinching vulnerability' & finding your own truth 🧡
ninearchespress.com/publications...
First of two gigs I’m seeing in November at the beloved Roundhouse - Perfume Genius - who as well as their own songs did a pretty good cover of Fade Into You. Next up, English Teacher.
November 12, 2025 at 11:09 AM
First of two gigs I’m seeing in November at the beloved Roundhouse - Perfume Genius - who as well as their own songs did a pretty good cover of Fade Into You. Next up, English Teacher.
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Really encourage everyone to read this. All of it
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Really encourage everyone to read this. All of it
Went to see Nordic Noir art exhibition at the British Museum - some striking work - especially Jeff Olsson’s The Tree. The drawing next to it with a horse is pretty stunning too. And obviously dark. www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/10/08/w...
With works by Munch and Mamma Andersson, the British Museum reveals the darkness of Nordic noir
The survey brings together more than 150 works by 100 different artists for a peek behind the clichés of apparently idyllic Nordic life
www.theartnewspaper.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Went to see Nordic Noir art exhibition at the British Museum - some striking work - especially Jeff Olsson’s The Tree. The drawing next to it with a horse is pretty stunning too. And obviously dark. www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/10/08/w...
“Johnson puts Gibb in place, in the same way he and his ministers placed culture warrior right-wingers across the institutional landscape. Gibb has worked to undermine the BBC from within while promoting GB News as the alternative to politically impartial public broadcasting.”
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
November 10, 2025 at 11:28 AM
“Johnson puts Gibb in place, in the same way he and his ministers placed culture warrior right-wingers across the institutional landscape. Gibb has worked to undermine the BBC from within while promoting GB News as the alternative to politically impartial public broadcasting.”
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
'Pacific Swift' by @stoneandthestar.bsky.social badlilies.uk/clarissa-aykroyd-1
November 1, 2025 at 2:15 PM
'Pacific Swift' by @stoneandthestar.bsky.social badlilies.uk/clarissa-aykroyd-1
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Latest review is up on my Substack. Read all about the poetic alchemy practised by @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social ✨
Delighted to receive this review of my poetry collection "Wolf Eye" by @victoriaspires.bsky.social Victoria Spires on Substack. Thank you Victoria:
open.substack.com/pub/victoria...
open.substack.com/pub/victoria...
Alchemising the mundane
The poetry of Paul Brookes
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Latest review is up on my Substack. Read all about the poetic alchemy practised by @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social ✨
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
This BBC Radio 4 feature on the late Tony Harrison's controversial long poem v. was rebroadcast on 6 November in tribute. Blake Morrison discusses the poem's significance.
It features a 2013 recording made in Leeds of Tony Harrison reading v. in full (from 27.40).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
It features a 2013 recording made in Leeds of Tony Harrison reading v. in full (from 27.40).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
BBC Radio 4 - Artworks, v. by Tony Harrison
The controversial poem by Tony Harrison, to mark his death.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 4:17 PM
This BBC Radio 4 feature on the late Tony Harrison's controversial long poem v. was rebroadcast on 6 November in tribute. Blake Morrison discusses the poem's significance.
It features a 2013 recording made in Leeds of Tony Harrison reading v. in full (from 27.40).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
It features a 2013 recording made in Leeds of Tony Harrison reading v. in full (from 27.40).
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b...
Here’s a poem of mine first published back in March by @bristolnoir.bsky.social ‘One for sorrow’ indeed…
November 7, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Here’s a poem of mine first published back in March by @bristolnoir.bsky.social ‘One for sorrow’ indeed…
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Inventory readers! @backlisted.bsky.social listeners! If you’re in London tomorrow, @claypipemusic.bsky.social has a stall at Jonny Trunk’s Groovy Record Fayre at the Mildmay Club, Newington Green, N16. Lawrence will be there too, selling a box of records. Lots more indie labels and dealers too.
November 7, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Inventory readers! @backlisted.bsky.social listeners! If you’re in London tomorrow, @claypipemusic.bsky.social has a stall at Jonny Trunk’s Groovy Record Fayre at the Mildmay Club, Newington Green, N16. Lawrence will be there too, selling a box of records. Lots more indie labels and dealers too.
bugwomanlondon.com/2025/11/07/t... ‘her wings are like smoked glass’
The Perils of a Mild Winter – Revisit
Dear Readers, I am off on an adventure, and may or may not be able to share it with you ‘live’. So, just in case, I am sharing some of my favourite posts from the last 11 years of blogg…
bugwomanlondon.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:13 AM
bugwomanlondon.com/2025/11/07/t... ‘her wings are like smoked glass’
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Reup for this
My latest for @theguardian.com; very fortunate to look at new books by Sarah Howe, Joelle Taylor, Nikita Gill, Phoebe Giannisi, and the return of Tom Paulin: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
The best recent poetry – review roundup
Namanlagh by Tom Paulin; Foretokens by Sarah Howe; Maryville by Joelle Taylor; Hekate by Nikita Gill; Goatsong by Phoebe Giannisi
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Reup for this
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Very chuffed to have a poem featured in Black Nore Review today. Thank you, @benbanyard.bsky.social Ben.
bsky.app/profile/blac...
bsky.app/profile/blac...
A dazzling love poem from Paul Brookes today. @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social
Paul Brookes – “The Drey Skin”
The Drey Skin In the drey of my skin I curl in the elbow pit of your barked limbs. I rummage for edibles in the curated grass of your longing hunger I can bury in the memory of the soil. My hard of hearing sky no longer sees the song of birds, except as distant cirrus or mares tails that brightness…
blacknorereview.wordpress.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Very chuffed to have a poem featured in Black Nore Review today. Thank you, @benbanyard.bsky.social Ben.
bsky.app/profile/blac...
bsky.app/profile/blac...
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
A dazzling love poem from Paul Brookes today. @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social
Paul Brookes – “The Drey Skin”
The Drey Skin In the drey of my skin I curl in the elbow pit of your barked limbs. I rummage for edibles in the curated grass of your longing hunger I can bury in the memory of the soil. My hard of hearing sky no longer sees the song of birds, except as distant cirrus or mares tails that brightness…
blacknorereview.wordpress.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM
A dazzling love poem from Paul Brookes today. @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Tonight at Review bookshop in Peckham - still a couple of free tickets left www.tickettailor.com/events/theso...
Select tickets – POETRY: In conversation with Clare Pollard – Review Bookshop
POETRY: In conversation with Clare Pollard – Review Bookshop, Thu 6 Nov 2025 -
Clare Pollard ...
www.tickettailor.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Tonight at Review bookshop in Peckham - still a couple of free tickets left www.tickettailor.com/events/theso...
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
The Book Trust is great Land if you’re a reader and can spare a few pounds to support their work please do. You know how important reading is…
📢 NEW: Today we are proud to launch our brand new five-year strategy, Reading For a Brighter Future.
It sets out our ambitious vision of a world where no child misses out on the lifelong, transformative benefits of reading.
Find out more:
https://bit.ly/4gnjYAv
It sets out our ambitious vision of a world where no child misses out on the lifelong, transformative benefits of reading.
Find out more:
https://bit.ly/4gnjYAv
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 AM
The Book Trust is great Land if you’re a reader and can spare a few pounds to support their work please do. You know how important reading is…
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
This is deeply disappointing from Starmer.
The UK *helped design* this 'TFFF' fund, designed to stop deforestation, and supposedly 'continues to back the fund' (in theory). But now isn't putting any money into it 🤯
How embarrassing for the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The UK *helped design* this 'TFFF' fund, designed to stop deforestation, and supposedly 'continues to back the fund' (in theory). But now isn't putting any money into it 🤯
How embarrassing for the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 5, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This is deeply disappointing from Starmer.
The UK *helped design* this 'TFFF' fund, designed to stop deforestation, and supposedly 'continues to back the fund' (in theory). But now isn't putting any money into it 🤯
How embarrassing for the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The UK *helped design* this 'TFFF' fund, designed to stop deforestation, and supposedly 'continues to back the fund' (in theory). But now isn't putting any money into it 🤯
How embarrassing for the UK.
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
A magnificent piece of work. Comprehesive, revelatory & shocking. Journalism this good is always rare & precious but never moreso than at times like this. Latter day Lord Haw Haws being plumped, preened & delivered to your doorstep in plain sight by a Nazi-saluting goon
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:16 AM
A magnificent piece of work. Comprehesive, revelatory & shocking. Journalism this good is always rare & precious but never moreso than at times like this. Latter day Lord Haw Haws being plumped, preened & delivered to your doorstep in plain sight by a Nazi-saluting goon
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Don't forget the new Abridged submission call is now open!
We're pleased to present the Abridged 0 -108: Adrenochrome Submission Call. See www.abridged.zone/abridged-0-1... for info! Image by Mark Tamer: www.marktamer.co.uk #poetry #irishmagazine
November 5, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Don't forget the new Abridged submission call is now open!
Reposted by Matt Gilbert
Swift populations in Britain slumped by 66% between 1995 and 2022 and have continued a rapid downward trend.
They travel over 7,000 miles (11,000km) every year to get to UK only to find there is nowhere for them to nest and left to perish outside
A mere £35 for developers would have saved them
They travel over 7,000 miles (11,000km) every year to get to UK only to find there is nowhere for them to nest and left to perish outside
A mere £35 for developers would have saved them
November 5, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Swift populations in Britain slumped by 66% between 1995 and 2022 and have continued a rapid downward trend.
They travel over 7,000 miles (11,000km) every year to get to UK only to find there is nowhere for them to nest and left to perish outside
A mere £35 for developers would have saved them
They travel over 7,000 miles (11,000km) every year to get to UK only to find there is nowhere for them to nest and left to perish outside
A mere £35 for developers would have saved them