John Coburn
banner
johncoburn.bsky.social
John Coburn
@johncoburn.bsky.social
Dublin born. Retired from IT career. Created Rainbow Manuscripts in 70s publishing Brendan Kennelly & Peter Fallon. More recently published in Black Nore Review, A New Ulster, Ink Sweat & Tears, Causeway Cabhsair, The Broken Spine, Atrium and Eunoia Review
Honoured to have my poem 'Two Way Family Favourites' published by Eunoia Review, Singapore. eunoiareview.wordpress.com/2025/11/21/t...
November 28, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Joined a full house in Queen Elizabeth Hall on Saturday to see Simon Armitage discussing his latest book of poems 'New Cemetery'. He had us all hanging on every word. The whole event was sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking & always inspiring, though he would no doubt baulk at that.
October 28, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I'm thrilled & honoured to have had two poems; 'You, You and You' & 'Buñuel’s "Simón del Desierto" (1965)' included in the latest Causeway Cabhsair issue, Volume 14. The editorial team of Ingrid Leonard, Charlie McIlwain & Kirsty Lawie have produced a magnificent epic edition they can be proud of.
October 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
October 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM
I am honoured to have had my poem ‘An Eight-Year-Old’s May Altar’ published online today by the excellent UK webzine Ink Sweat & Tears. My deepest thanks to editor Helen Ivory and publisher Kate Birch for their support in choosing my work.
September 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
This is a mockup of the cover for the unpublished issue of Rainbow Manuscripts, dated October 1973.

Rainbow Manuscripts No.3

Contributors:
John Lennon / Martin Maguire / Mathew Sweeney / Bob Dylan / John Murphy / Niall O’Neill

Illustrations:
John Coburn

Format:
Stabled pamphlet
August 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Related to an earlier post, this is a reprint of a bill from Jonathan Cape Ltd in 1973, on behalf of John Lennon granting permission to publish two extracts from the book 'John Lennon In His Own Write'. The total cost was £4.00 (£43.75 by today's calculation).
August 26, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Related to the previous post, this is a reprint of a bill from Granada Publishing in 1973, on behalf of Bob Dylan's UK publisher granting permission to publish two pages from his book 'Tarantula'. The total cost was £3.00 (£33.00 by today's calculation).
August 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
From summer 1973, this article, written by the excellent June Levine, was published in the Sunday Independent newspaper.
August 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Rainbow Manuscripts No.2 - published July 1973

Contributors:
John Cooney / Brendan Kennelly / Pamela Good / Thomas Tessier / Jim Burns / Dan Reardon / Joseph Jackson

Illustrations:
Mary Greene

Format:
Single sheet double-sided hand drawn text.
June 20, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Rainbow Manuscripts No.1 - published July 1972

Contributors:
Roly Brown / John Murphy / David Cohen / John Cooney / Peter Fallon / Beth Humphreys / Timothy McDonnell

Illustrations:
Mary Greene / Catherine Ryan

Screen Print Cover Design:
Niall O'Neill

Format:
Loose-leaved colour sheets in folder
June 20, 2025 at 9:12 AM