iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛

Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 16/09/2026

'A bit OCD' by Vanessa Napolitano holds its finger to the pulse of a mental health matter that is more than a bit complex, but Napolitano handles it beautifully. @moette.bsky.social Read it here: inksweatandtears.co.uk/vanessa-napo... #InkSweatAndTears #Poetry #MentalHealth

Image: household clutter in black and white surrounded by a black background

Text: A Bit OCD

Floors are unvacuumed. Spices remain un-alphabetised.
I bless the spaces between the furniture to keep everyone safe. Seven.

I do not arrive exactly on time. Margins can keep their default size.
I would like you to promise me this isn’t poison. This supermarket chicken.

Vanessa Napolitano

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

I have some mentoring slots all the way into July. Come and see me on zoom, let's talk about the poems you've written, the poems you want to write. Whether you are writing for yourself or publication, I can help! #writingcommunity #poetrymentoring

nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk

Poetry mentoring with Helen Ivory

Looking for advice? Need feedback on your writing? Helen Ivory is an award-winning widely published poet and has worked as a tutor, workshop leader and mentor for twenty-five years. She enjoys working...

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Would you like feedback on your work or do you need help finding the right way in to a poem you've always wanted to write? There are still some spaces in March if anybody fancies?https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/events/mentoring-with-helen-ivory/

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Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 07/03/2026

🎉🎉🎉 IS&T's February #PickoftheMonth? Choose from Tim Brookes, Stephen Chapell, May Garner, Louella Lester, Rob A. Mackenzie or Surmaya Talyarkhan. 🎉🎉🎉 inksweatandtears.co.uk/february-202... #InkSweatAndTears

Two images of frost on a window and on trees as background.

Text:

IS&T FEBRUARY 2026 PICK OF THE MONTH

Tim Brookes
Stephen Chapell
May Garner
Louella Lester
Rob A. Mackenzie
Surmaya Talyarkhan.

Bottom right: VOTE decal.

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Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 08/03/2026

Happy #InternationalWomensDay2026! Poems whose speakers reveal and conceal, navigate silencing and stillness in different ways. @anitakarlakelly.bsky.social's 'Eve's Bite', 'Scold's Bridle' by C.E. Collins & 'Terms of Engagement' by @clarepainter.bsky.social. inksweatandtears.co.uk/internationa...

Background image:
Painting of red apple and small teal and blue vase. Defined brushstrokes.

Text:

Eve's Bite
Anita Karla Kelly©

Scold's Bridle
C.E. Collins©

Terms of Engagement
Clare Painter©

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Happy International Women's Day! This is a collage/poem from my collection Constructing a Witch @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social #IWD2026

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Thanks to The Friday Poem for republishing this. I'd forgotten how open and honest I'd been! #writingcommity

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Reposted by Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛

Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 03/03/2026

We welcome work on our theme of 'Colouring Outside the Lines' in whatever way you choose, whether it's an act of creative and playful rebellion or literally colouring beyond borders - we want to see it! Email Zakia at interns@inksweatandtears.co.uk. Submissions close 15 March.

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

This is sooner than it was before, when I first posted it, like. I'll be reading some of my witch poems!

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Excited to be reading at York Literature Festival as part if the #IWD2026! maybe see you there? I'll be reading some poems from my @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social collection #constructingawitch

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Dare we hope it might be nearly very almost within sight of the outside edge of the beginnings of . . . . spring in England??? I mean, I am not casting a clout or owt, and I am still sewn into my winter thermals etc . . . .but maybe soon . . .

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Another White Rabbit emerges! Considering jacket, waistcoat and glove colours as we speak #needlefelting #needlefeltartist

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

Hmm. . . am trying again with this platform but it rarely loads on my phone, and nobody seems to see my posts now. I must have fallen out of the algorithm. I wondered what that clanking noise was!

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

I am excited to be running a collage session for the Tilted Women Festival at @norwichartscentre.bsky.social for #IWD2026 (7-8 March). Lot's more going on, have a peek! Please Repost, spread the word! norwichartscentre.co.uk/event/tilted...

norwichartscentre.co.uk

Tilted Women Festival 7 - 8 March 2026 - Norwich Arts Centre

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I've been busy making a stage prop. It was seriously giving me the ick till I added the eyes! Aversion therapy, tick! #needlefelting

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

If you follow me on Insta or Facebook you'd have seen the early stages of this White Rabbit I've recently pulled out of my sleeve! #needlefelting #needlefeltingartist

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

I've not been able to get onto Bluesky for ages. No idea why, it just wouldn't load. Anyway, hello how have you been ? Here's a poem for Valentine's from a Tarot I made a while back.

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poets and prattlers @pandemonialists.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

The results of the #WolvesLitFest poetry competition are now out! Thanks to our judges @martinfigura.bsky.social & @helenivory.bsky.social Congratulations to our winners, and best wishes for future success to everyone else who entered. 😊 pandemonialists.co.uk/wolves-lit-f...

media.tenor.com

a man in a tuxedo is applauding in front of a crowd

Alt: a man in a tuxedo is applauding in front of a crowd

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poets and prattlers @pandemonialists.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Bad weather getting you down? Brighten up your weekend by penning an entry or three for #WolvesLitFest poetry competition, judged this year by @helenivory.bsky.social and @martinfigura.bsky.social. Closes December 31st. £400 1st prize. 😊 pandemonialists.co.uk/wolves-lit-f...

An image of poets Helen Ivory and Martin Figura standing in front of a plastered wall, and looking very American Gothic

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poets and prattlers @pandemonialists.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Whoo, the final month of 2025!! And that means you've got just 31 days left to hone and send in your entries to #WolvesLitFest poetry competition, judged by @helenivory.bsky.social and @martinfigura.bsky.social. Info here: pandemonialists.co.uk/wolves-lit-f... And here's some seasonal inspiration. 😊

media.tenor.com

three mince pies with powdered sugar on them

Alt: three mince pies with powdered sugar on them, and the words 'mince pies' flashing up in bright red.

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Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 24/11/2025

We are now open for Submissions for our annual '12 Days of' feature. @helenivory.bsky.social will be looking at your poetry and short prose, while Sairah Ahsan wants to see your word & image and filmpoems. More at inksweatandtears.co.uk/submissions/ #InkSweatandTears #TwelveDaysofChristmas #Slanted

Background image of snowflake graphics

Right banner: gold and red light reflections. Large snowflake graphic upper right.

Text:

CALL FOR
SUBMISSIONS
FOR OUR 12 DAYS OF
CHRISTMAS FEATURE

* Poetry
* Prose
* Filmpoems
* Word & Image

Submit Now

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poets and prattlers @pandemonialists.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

And while we're here... a reminder that this year's #WolvesLitFest poetry competition is now open. Judges @helenivory.bsky.social and @martinfigura.bsky.social. £400 first prize. All the info you need is here: pandemonialists.co.uk/wolves-lit-f...

A photo of Helen Ivory and Martin Figura, looking more than a little bit like a remake of 'American Gothic'...

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

I'm doing a short course on writing the menopause. . .

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poets and prattlers @pandemonialists.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

If you're a poet looking for a top-quality competition, judged by the impeccably wonderful @helenivory.bsky.social and @martinfigura.bsky.social, then you're in luck! The #WolvesLitFest poetry competition is now open!! 😊 All the info's here: pandemonialists.co.uk/wolves-lit-f...

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Hey sorry I've been away. What do you mean you didn't notice!? Anyway, it's #worldmenopauseday ! Let's celebrate! ( from Constructing a Witch @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social )

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Online Courses — STUDIOS: Short, intensive poetry courses focusing on writing & inspiration, w/ tutors: Helen Ivory (@helenivory.bsky.social‬), Cat Woodward, Isabelle Baafi, Matt Bryden.

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

A new Substack post about the film behind this poem from my Witch book. This is free to read - all my posts are free, so please do subscribe if you want to read some of my (four years of!) research for Constructing a Witch @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social #witch #constructingawitch #poetrycommunity

open.substack.com

Häxan (1921)

some notes about my ekphrastic poem

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Looking forward to performing a collaborative piece with @martinfigura.bsky.social at Dragon Hall tomorrow night. These @europeanpoetryfest.bsky.social events are always wild and brilliant. Do come! www.europeanpoetryfestival.com/norwich25

europeanpoetryfestival.com

Norwich 2025 - July 3rd — European Poetry Festival

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

For anyone else with Dad Envy today in the UK! It's from my semi autobiographical @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social collection Waiting for Bluebeard. Sorry to be such a downer!

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Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 14/06/2025

For National Flash Fiction Day, Louella Lester / @louellalester.bsky.social delivers a darkly comic poem about the chaos unleashed by one ill-advised siesta. Read now! inksweatandtears.co.uk/louella-lest... #InkSweatandTears #Submission #FlashFiction @louellalester.bsky.social

A gradient background with white text overlays: 'Keep an Eye Out / That's what the father said before he went for a nap...' —Louella Lester.

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Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 03/06/2025

'We Were Seeds' is a riveting poem by Tom Nutting, drawn from the trans rights protests and counter-protests in Bristol, April 2025. Read here inksweatandtears.co.uk/tom-nutting/ #InkSweatandTears #Submission #PoetryCommunity

A small green plant grows upward from a crack between two pieces of dark, textured bark. Overlaid text reads:
'They have been burying us, not realising we were seeds of revolution.' – Tom Nutting.

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Rachael Clyne @rachaelclyne.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Very grateful to Helen Ivory for publishing this poem that means a lot to me.

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

If you would like to follow me on Substack, it's free! I've been sharing some research notes for Constructing a Witch (Bloodaxe 2024). I researched the book for about four years so it's been good to actually document this. Like many poets, I do so much research just to write a few stanzas!

helenivory.substack.com

Helen Ivory | poet | artist | Substack

Here are some writings about making my book 'Constructing a Witch' (Bloodaxe 2024). Click to read Helen Ivory | poet | artist, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

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Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛ @helenivory.bsky.social · 28/05/2025

I've made a little Substack post about the mutability of milk. I've been sharing some of the (four years of!) research for my @bloodaxebooks.bsky.social collection Constructing a Witch. It's free to read! #constructingawitch #witch #poem #feministwitch helenivory.substack.com/p/dairying

helenivory.substack.com

Hexed Milk

Some notes about my poem 'Dairying'

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Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 26/05/2025

Inspired by Van Gogh's 'Starry Night Over the Rhône', Denise Bundred’s poem captures a moment of tension and beauty, tethered in light and shadow. Read now inksweatandtears.co.uk/denise-bundr... #InkSweatandTears #PoetryCommunity

An image of moored boats at a quiet marina at night, illuminated by soft dock lights. Overlaid text features a poem titled 'Starry Night Over the Rhône' by Denise Bundred, evoking the mood of Van Gogh’s painting with imagery of boats, mooring chains, and a richly coloured night sky.

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Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 24/05/2025

Chris Emery’s 'Truer' is a meditation on memory and grief—on the things we don’t fully remember but still carry. @chrisemery.me Read now! inksweatandtears.co.uk/chris-emery-2/ #InkSweatandTears #Submission #PoetryCommunity

A green textured background with the following poem excerpt in white text:
'and if we walk to the same sea later
we’ll see something heaving up beside us:
caskets of grey, white-capped, barren and loose,
the way memories are.
Signed: Chris Emery ©

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Reposted by Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛

Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 24/05/2025

A hand, a map, a memory. Tracing the weathered lines of history and healing in 'O What That Hand Could Tell' by Jonathan Edis. View here inksweatandtears.co.uk/jonathan-edi... #InkSweatandTears #Submission #WordandImage #PoetryCommunity

A plaster cast of Andrew Taylor Still’s right hand, fingers slightly curled, with visible line details resembling geographical features or weather maps, displayed on a dark surface. Property of the Museum of Osteopathic Medicine.

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Reposted by Helen Ivory 🪠🐈‍⬛

Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 25/05/2025

In this tender, evocative meditation on loss and departure, Mofiyinfoluwa O. explores the delicate rituals we create to cope with endings. Read 'Palm Trees on the Edge of Farewell' here inksweatandtears.co.uk/mofiyinfoluw... #InkSweatandTears #PoetryCommunity

A digital artwork features the text of a lyrical prose piece titled 'Palm Trees on the Edge of Farewell' by Mofiyinfoluwa O., overlaid on a background of silhouetted palm leaves against a blue sky. The piece reflects on a fleeting moment between two people on the brink of goodbye, gathering seashells as a quiet distraction from emotional pain.

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Ink Sweat & Tears @inksweatandtears.co.uk · 25/05/2025

Samuel A. Adeyemi’s 'Without Blood' is a powerful reckoning with pain, identity, and the myth of the tortured artist. Read now inksweatandtears.co.uk/samuel-a-ade... #InkSweatandTears #PoetryCommunity

A minimalist poem titled Without Blood by Samuel A. Adeyemi is displayed on a soft blue textured background.
“I can already hear the chorus of my tribe.
They want the ancient blade,
the guillotine that hovered
above my head like a halo of death.”
The poem explores generational pain, the burden of expectation, and a yearning to live without suffering.

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