Natasha Ryan
@justplainscrambled.bsky.social
Education Manager @poetrysociety.org.uk
Poems by day, prose by night. Préfère l'impair.
Poems by day, prose by night. Préfère l'impair.
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Brexit Hit to UK Economy Double Official Estimate, Study Finds
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist.
bloom.bg
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Brexit has caused almost twice as much damage to the UK economy than estimated by official forecasts, according to new paper from a group of experts including a senior Bank of England economist
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
This one by Helen Mort!
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 AM
This one by Helen Mort!
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
At @engmediacentre.bsky.social
we've been doing a survey of teachers' views on the current state of English teaching. We've had a great response but we'd love more, incl more from out of London. If you're an English teacher please do it. It doesn't take long! www.surveymonkey.com/r/EngTeach2025
we've been doing a survey of teachers' views on the current state of English teaching. We've had a great response but we'd love more, incl more from out of London. If you're an English teacher please do it. It doesn't take long! www.surveymonkey.com/r/EngTeach2025
English Teaching in Your School
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:43 PM
At @engmediacentre.bsky.social
we've been doing a survey of teachers' views on the current state of English teaching. We've had a great response but we'd love more, incl more from out of London. If you're an English teacher please do it. It doesn't take long! www.surveymonkey.com/r/EngTeach2025
we've been doing a survey of teachers' views on the current state of English teaching. We've had a great response but we'd love more, incl more from out of London. If you're an English teacher please do it. It doesn't take long! www.surveymonkey.com/r/EngTeach2025
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
CALLING ALL YOUNG POETS
The deadline for entries to the Eric Gregory Awards is 31 October.
It is awarded for a collection by poets under the age of 30.
Winners of the Eric Gregory Awards are invited to a free solo week residency at Thomas Cottage.
The deadline for entries to the Eric Gregory Awards is 31 October.
It is awarded for a collection by poets under the age of 30.
Winners of the Eric Gregory Awards are invited to a free solo week residency at Thomas Cottage.
October 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM
CALLING ALL YOUNG POETS
The deadline for entries to the Eric Gregory Awards is 31 October.
It is awarded for a collection by poets under the age of 30.
Winners of the Eric Gregory Awards are invited to a free solo week residency at Thomas Cottage.
The deadline for entries to the Eric Gregory Awards is 31 October.
It is awarded for a collection by poets under the age of 30.
Winners of the Eric Gregory Awards are invited to a free solo week residency at Thomas Cottage.
Happy National Poetry Day! Started the day by saying goodbye to the incredible Chris Holifield, a tremendous force for good in the poetry world and a mentor to many. She'll be much missed.
Now on to games, workshops and performances in the Poetry Cafe, which feels fitting.
Now on to games, workshops and performances in the Poetry Cafe, which feels fitting.
October 2, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Happy National Poetry Day! Started the day by saying goodbye to the incredible Chris Holifield, a tremendous force for good in the poetry world and a mentor to many. She'll be much missed.
Now on to games, workshops and performances in the Poetry Cafe, which feels fitting.
Now on to games, workshops and performances in the Poetry Cafe, which feels fitting.
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Right. A bit more about what we’re up to.
Would love feedback, do stick a comment at the end. And do please consider signing up to find out more www.thenerve.news
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Would love feedback, do stick a comment at the end. And do please consider signing up to find out more www.thenerve.news
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
The free press fights back...
Introducing the Nerve. From the wreckage of my old newspaper, comes a new all-women, journalist-owned, independent publication. Join us!
open.substack.com
September 28, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Right. A bit more about what we’re up to.
Would love feedback, do stick a comment at the end. And do please consider signing up to find out more www.thenerve.news
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Would love feedback, do stick a comment at the end. And do please consider signing up to find out more www.thenerve.news
open.substack.com/pub/broligar...
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
This is sad. Lovely tributes to Chris Holifield who died Sept 3.
childrenspoetrysummit.com/2025/09/25/c...
childrenspoetrysummit.com/2025/09/25/c...
Chris Holifield – A Tribute
On Wednesday 3 September 2025, Chris Holifield passed away. So Gaby, Liz and Laura wanted to write a blog to celebrate and honour her, as the founder and driving force behind the Children’s P…
childrenspoetrysummit.com
September 28, 2025 at 8:50 AM
This is sad. Lovely tributes to Chris Holifield who died Sept 3.
childrenspoetrysummit.com/2025/09/25/c...
childrenspoetrysummit.com/2025/09/25/c...
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Ok. They’ve pissed me off.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
September 26, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Ok. They’ve pissed me off.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
I’m back to tell you 3 things about ID cards:
1. Migrants ALREADY HAVE biometric ID cards & govts have been trying to digitise them for years w repeated fuckups & failures causing complete chaos - they don’t work, you do not want that system for you.
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Just arrived from the printers.
The Book of Bogs began as a community response & has grown beyond the Walshaw Moor into a wider celebration & campaign for bogs & other peatland ecologies.
This was the most brilliant crowdfunded project, with over 40 contributions from artists & poets.
OUT NOW.
The Book of Bogs began as a community response & has grown beyond the Walshaw Moor into a wider celebration & campaign for bogs & other peatland ecologies.
This was the most brilliant crowdfunded project, with over 40 contributions from artists & poets.
OUT NOW.
September 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Just arrived from the printers.
The Book of Bogs began as a community response & has grown beyond the Walshaw Moor into a wider celebration & campaign for bogs & other peatland ecologies.
This was the most brilliant crowdfunded project, with over 40 contributions from artists & poets.
OUT NOW.
The Book of Bogs began as a community response & has grown beyond the Walshaw Moor into a wider celebration & campaign for bogs & other peatland ecologies.
This was the most brilliant crowdfunded project, with over 40 contributions from artists & poets.
OUT NOW.
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
This year’s Keats-Shelley Memorial Prizes are now open. Themes are dystopia / utopia
I’m glad to be judging the poetry prize again with Will Kemp. Closing date 2nd February and more info here
keats-shelley.org/prizes/keats...
I’m glad to be judging the poetry prize again with Will Kemp. Closing date 2nd February and more info here
keats-shelley.org/prizes/keats...
Keats-Shelley Prizes 2025-26
keats-shelley.org
September 20, 2025 at 7:29 AM
This year’s Keats-Shelley Memorial Prizes are now open. Themes are dystopia / utopia
I’m glad to be judging the poetry prize again with Will Kemp. Closing date 2nd February and more info here
keats-shelley.org/prizes/keats...
I’m glad to be judging the poetry prize again with Will Kemp. Closing date 2nd February and more info here
keats-shelley.org/prizes/keats...
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Shame on Downing Street for going along with this. So much for being committed to a free press
September 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Shame on Downing Street for going along with this. So much for being committed to a free press
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Just a reminder to check for your name in this list of books that OpenAI trained from. If your name is there, they probably owe you several thousand dollars.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
Search LibGen, the Pirated-Books Database That Meta Used to Train AI
Millions of books and scientific papers are captured in the collection’s current iteration.
www.theatlantic.com
September 6, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Just a reminder to check for your name in this list of books that OpenAI trained from. If your name is there, they probably owe you several thousand dollars.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
OpenAI cried that if everyone eligible author files, the company will go bankrupt, so I'm alerting every author I have ever spoken to.
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
1/ I don't think many folk see my Bluesky posts, but if you can and you're a poet who likes to slam, and you're in shouting distance of Ironbridge then @pandemonialists.bsky.social are looking for 15 poetry slammers for an event on the afternoon of Sunday 28th September 2025.
August 29, 2025 at 4:42 PM
1/ I don't think many folk see my Bluesky posts, but if you can and you're a poet who likes to slam, and you're in shouting distance of Ironbridge then @pandemonialists.bsky.social are looking for 15 poetry slammers for an event on the afternoon of Sunday 28th September 2025.
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
The APPG Modern Languages has shared a Letter to The Times by Baroness Coussins, Co-chair of the APPG, in response to their recent leading article arguing falling languages uptake narrows young people's horizons (www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...)
August 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The APPG Modern Languages has shared a Letter to The Times by Baroness Coussins, Co-chair of the APPG, in response to their recent leading article arguing falling languages uptake narrows young people's horizons (www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...)
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
For poetry friends from Dorset, UK, I wanted to let you know about a new Stanza group, based in Dorchester. It's been running quietly over the Summer (I've recently started attending myself) and it would be cool to see new faces - poster attached... high quality poetry chat and feedback guaranteed!!
August 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
For poetry friends from Dorset, UK, I wanted to let you know about a new Stanza group, based in Dorchester. It's been running quietly over the Summer (I've recently started attending myself) and it would be cool to see new faces - poster attached... high quality poetry chat and feedback guaranteed!!
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Announcing a new tool to fight AI slop in the book world - and authenticate that the books we publish are written by, you know, humans.
Books by people vs books by AI
open.substack.com/pub/samj/p/b...
Books by people vs books by AI
open.substack.com/pub/samj/p/b...
Books by people vs books by AI
Announcing a new book certification scheme that enables publishers to prove their books are written by humans
open.substack.com
August 6, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Announcing a new tool to fight AI slop in the book world - and authenticate that the books we publish are written by, you know, humans.
Books by people vs books by AI
open.substack.com/pub/samj/p/b...
Books by people vs books by AI
open.substack.com/pub/samj/p/b...
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
I gather
you snap your fingers
in the face of the east wind
feel the moon groan as she
learns the ropes again
tangled among branches
that you bend, so you say,
to shake her free.
‘Considering a Hike to Yon Tree’, a poem by Kathleen Jamie: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
you snap your fingers
in the face of the east wind
feel the moon groan as she
learns the ropes again
tangled among branches
that you bend, so you say,
to shake her free.
‘Considering a Hike to Yon Tree’, a poem by Kathleen Jamie: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Kathleen Jamie · Poem: ‘Considering a Hike to Yon Tree’
www.lrb.co.uk
July 19, 2025 at 9:09 AM
I gather
you snap your fingers
in the face of the east wind
feel the moon groan as she
learns the ropes again
tangled among branches
that you bend, so you say,
to shake her free.
‘Considering a Hike to Yon Tree’, a poem by Kathleen Jamie: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
you snap your fingers
in the face of the east wind
feel the moon groan as she
learns the ropes again
tangled among branches
that you bend, so you say,
to shake her free.
‘Considering a Hike to Yon Tree’, a poem by Kathleen Jamie: www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Classroom Voices.
From September I plan to use my blog as a platform to share a weekly post written by a teacher - who may not want to write lots or set up a blog of their own. If you want to be involved, use this form to upload your submission. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
From September I plan to use my blog as a platform to share a weekly post written by a teacher - who may not want to write lots or set up a blog of their own. If you want to be involved, use this form to upload your submission. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
July 10, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Classroom Voices.
From September I plan to use my blog as a platform to share a weekly post written by a teacher - who may not want to write lots or set up a blog of their own. If you want to be involved, use this form to upload your submission. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
From September I plan to use my blog as a platform to share a weekly post written by a teacher - who may not want to write lots or set up a blog of their own. If you want to be involved, use this form to upload your submission. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
One week left to enter the Young Scots Writer o the Year Award 2025! 🗓️
Are you someone with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? Then there is still time to enter:
Are you someone with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? Then there is still time to enter:
Young Scots Writer o the Year Award
We’re on the lookout for talented young folk aged 11–18 writing and creating in Scots.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
July 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM
One week left to enter the Young Scots Writer o the Year Award 2025! 🗓️
Are you someone with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? Then there is still time to enter:
Are you someone with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? Then there is still time to enter:
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
There's now just one week left for young writers aged 14-19 in Exeter to apply for a great opportunity: develop as a writer and performer and be the voice of a UNESCO City of Literature (@exetercityoflit.bsky.social) by becoming the first Exeter Young City Laureate.
We're also, for the first time, seeking an Exeter Young City Laureate, so 14-19 year olds in Exeter should take a look at this fantastic opportunity and apply by Wednesday 16th July.
🔗 literatureworks.org.uk/eycl-callout...
🔗 literatureworks.org.uk/eycl-callout...
Could you be Exeter’s first Young City Laureate? - Literature Works
Literature Works is excited to be reaching out to aspiring young writers in Exeter between the ages of 14 and 19 years, as we seek the city’s first Young City Laureate.
literatureworks.org.uk
July 9, 2025 at 12:02 PM
There's now just one week left for young writers aged 14-19 in Exeter to apply for a great opportunity: develop as a writer and performer and be the voice of a UNESCO City of Literature (@exetercityoflit.bsky.social) by becoming the first Exeter Young City Laureate.
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
On July 26th for Int Bog Day
@tocharstories.bsky.social partners with @nlireland.bsky.social in Seamus Heaney venue -presenting a discussion inspired by Heaney's powerful poem 'Bogland' - with us is Jane Clarke whose own bog poem 'Receipt for a Bog' also delights !
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNGe...
@tocharstories.bsky.social partners with @nlireland.bsky.social in Seamus Heaney venue -presenting a discussion inspired by Heaney's powerful poem 'Bogland' - with us is Jane Clarke whose own bog poem 'Receipt for a Bog' also delights !
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNGe...
Jane Clarke reads 'Recipe for a Bog'
YouTube video by T. S. Eliot Prize
www.youtube.com
June 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
On July 26th for Int Bog Day
@tocharstories.bsky.social partners with @nlireland.bsky.social in Seamus Heaney venue -presenting a discussion inspired by Heaney's powerful poem 'Bogland' - with us is Jane Clarke whose own bog poem 'Receipt for a Bog' also delights !
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNGe...
@tocharstories.bsky.social partners with @nlireland.bsky.social in Seamus Heaney venue -presenting a discussion inspired by Heaney's powerful poem 'Bogland' - with us is Jane Clarke whose own bog poem 'Receipt for a Bog' also delights !
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNGe...
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
🌟AI and Poetry: UK Symposium🌟 27 June @wshed.bsky.social
The UK's first ever AI and Poetry symposium, as poets, technologists and creatives share their work, ideas and research. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event and to join the conversation 👇🏼book now www.lyrafest.com#e127080
The UK's first ever AI and Poetry symposium, as poets, technologists and creatives share their work, ideas and research. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event and to join the conversation 👇🏼book now www.lyrafest.com#e127080
June 13, 2025 at 6:07 PM
🌟AI and Poetry: UK Symposium🌟 27 June @wshed.bsky.social
The UK's first ever AI and Poetry symposium, as poets, technologists and creatives share their work, ideas and research. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event and to join the conversation 👇🏼book now www.lyrafest.com#e127080
The UK's first ever AI and Poetry symposium, as poets, technologists and creatives share their work, ideas and research. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event and to join the conversation 👇🏼book now www.lyrafest.com#e127080
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
The UK government was just defeated in the House of Lords for a *fifth* time over AI training data transparency.
Please watch the electrifying end to Baroness Kidron's closing speech ahead of the vote. Creators have no greater champion.
🧵 1/2
Please watch the electrifying end to Baroness Kidron's closing speech ahead of the vote. Creators have no greater champion.
🧵 1/2
June 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The UK government was just defeated in the House of Lords for a *fifth* time over AI training data transparency.
Please watch the electrifying end to Baroness Kidron's closing speech ahead of the vote. Creators have no greater champion.
🧵 1/2
Please watch the electrifying end to Baroness Kidron's closing speech ahead of the vote. Creators have no greater champion.
🧵 1/2
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
Amazing news! 🎉 We've been chosen as the first ever recipient of the David Tebbutt Internship Fund to support people from under-represented backgrounds to build a career in publishing!
This paid internship will last 6 months! Find out more & apply by 30 June:
buff.ly/sqNAkm1
This paid internship will last 6 months! Find out more & apply by 30 June:
buff.ly/sqNAkm1
June 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Amazing news! 🎉 We've been chosen as the first ever recipient of the David Tebbutt Internship Fund to support people from under-represented backgrounds to build a career in publishing!
This paid internship will last 6 months! Find out more & apply by 30 June:
buff.ly/sqNAkm1
This paid internship will last 6 months! Find out more & apply by 30 June:
buff.ly/sqNAkm1
Reposted by Natasha Ryan
📜 NOW ANNOUNCING: EUROPEAN POETRY FESTIVAL 2025
This summer, pairs of European poets visiting and based in the UK are creating and performing brand new works at events in London, Norwich, and Liverpool
Interested? See below for event details 👇
This summer, pairs of European poets visiting and based in the UK are creating and performing brand new works at events in London, Norwich, and Liverpool
Interested? See below for event details 👇
May 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
📜 NOW ANNOUNCING: EUROPEAN POETRY FESTIVAL 2025
This summer, pairs of European poets visiting and based in the UK are creating and performing brand new works at events in London, Norwich, and Liverpool
Interested? See below for event details 👇
This summer, pairs of European poets visiting and based in the UK are creating and performing brand new works at events in London, Norwich, and Liverpool
Interested? See below for event details 👇