It gives me great pleasure to invite poet and memoir writer, Margaret Royall, back to Patricia’s Pen. This visit Margaret has come to share details about her combined memoir and poetry new release Immersed in Blue. Without further ado, it’s over to Margaret.
Immersed in Blue
Margaret Royall
First of all I want to say a big thank you to Patricia for inviting me to be a guest on her blog. I am very honoured.
My latest publication, out 5th December 2021, is entitled ‘Immersed in Blue’ and is published by Steve Cawte for Impspired Press. I’m very excited about this latest book, as it’s a fusion of poetry, prose, travelogue, journal and memoir, illustrated with some beautiful colour photographs (cover and postcard photos courtesy of my friend Moira Brimacombe.) This is how it came to be written.
In 2012 a small miracle occurred. While searching for a painting holiday online I chanced upon a creative writing retreat on the Inner Hebridean Isle of Iona. This mystical, magical place has since become what I like to describe as my ‘heart-home’, a place where I feel totally at ease, happy in my skin. I have returned there year on year, each time producing a course project written as a Haibun (a mix of poetry and prose), which seeks to capture the myriad faces of the island and explore its numinous beauty. In this collection extracts from my journals 2012-2021 have been selected with the intention of sharing the many sights and sounds, riches of flora, fauna and landscape that I have been privileged to experience. You can read all about the book, including honest reviews from three acclaimed writers, plus sample poems, by visiting my website.
There will be an official launch evening in the New Year on Sunday, 9th January 2022, free and online, hosted by Damien B Donnelly and starring guest readers, Paul Brookes, Steve Cawte, Simon Royall, Jo Weston, Patricia M Osborne with Brian MsManus and Kerry Darbishire with Kelly Davis. A link to register for a free ticket is below.
Get your FREE tickets HERE
About Margaret Royall
Margaret’s work has featured in publications such as The Blue Nib, Impspired, Dreich, Black Bough Poetry and the acclaimed Gloucestershire Pandemic Poetry Anthology. She has five books of poetry to her name. She won Hedgehog Press’ full fat collection competition in 2020 and ‘Where Flora Sings’ was subsequently nominated for the Laurel Prize. Her highly rated memoir of childhood, ‘The Road To Cleethorpes Pier’ was published by Crumps Barn Studio in May 2020. She has been s/listed in several competitions, featured on guest blogs and published widely online. Her new collection ‘Immersed in Blue’, from Impspired, is out on 5th December 2021 and will be officially launched on 9th January 2022 at a poetry evening with guest readers, hosted by Damien B Donnelly.
Margaret is a regular performer at open mic events and leads a Nottinghamshire women’s poetry group. She is currently writing her first novel.
Links
Patricia M Osborne 
I have bought this and am really looking forward to reading it, once Xmas preparations are completed and I can get some time to myself again. Knowing Margaret’s wonderful talent for writing poetry, I am sure this is going to be a perfect way to chill out over the festive season! I can’t wait!
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I think you’ll love it, Juliette. I’ve only browsed my copy so far but I love what I’ve seen.
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