iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

TONIGHT! BASICALLY NOW! We're launching this issue online TONIGHT - in just under an hour. If you're signed up to Clarion, you'll already know this. I've not shared it here because I'm so snowed under with actual life and teaching, but I'd love for you to join us. dandelion.events/e/clarion-6-...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Just as I'm finishing writing a newsletter, I see that my absolute film hero, Tony Gatlif, has died. I am so very sad about this and tears fall freely. His films - particularly Latcho Drom, Gadjo Dilo and Swing through to Exils and Kokoro - changed me, hopefully for the better.

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

RIP Wendell Berry. From what I know - and from what I've found in your words - I see that you were a friend of life and land, and one who did your best to speak truly about this world and being alive. I pray you find good land and convivial company in some Great Beyond.

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

SUNDAY! TOMORROW! YOU, ME, EDITING POETRY! One-off special - three hours of getting deep and dirty-clean with EDITING (or REFINING, if you prefer, which I generally do, as this is an ALCHEMICAL process, as well as being scalpel-work.) LINK: dandelion.events/e/feral-ange...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Our blood is a river of spirits... The second round of **encant** begins in late September and runs every Friday for eight weeks. There are only THREE places in each group left. If you'd like to join us on the adventure, I'd love to see you there! LINK: tomhirons.com/encant

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I don't know if I coined the term Futilism, but I like it. While despair visits us all, giving in to it permanently is a luxury, and a kind of death. Hope is love for the world, regardless of the odds; without it, our spirits die. Keep on, you beauties. Keep on.

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

OK! You keep asking and I keep saying 'Sometime...' and now it's August and the world's on fire and Sometime has arrived and put its fiery feet on the table. So, come along and join me for THREE HOURS of proper craft and goodness on AUGUST 30TH - 7pm UK time dandelion.events/e/feral-ange...

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Reposted by Tom Hirons

Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Bluesky should go back to invites, continue aggressive bot bans, create a Craigslist-style marketplace (since you’re more likely to buy/get services from a educated or good person on here than any other social network), and market this place like a walled garden protected from enshittification.

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Reposted by Tom Hirons

Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

encant - the second adventure - tickets are on sale now! Last round, places were snapped up within 12 hours of me posting here, so don't hesitate for too long. I'd love to meet you in the encant-space soon! Find out more on my website - tomhirons.com/encant

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Bursary/scholarship applications for encant will close at midnight (UK time) on Sunday night, the 16th. There are three bursary places (aka scholarships) for each group of the second round. 🔗 tomhirons.com/encant

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Next FERAL ANGELS’ POETRY CAFÉ this Friday! It's school holidays and my calendar's become a complex ball of string, so get these while you can. Now accessible via The Portal, but the same gorgeous community space for exploring poetry and poetics. 🔗 app.jointheportal.com/resource/f02...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Some people say we think in language and that our thinking is limited by our language. I don’t believe that this is true. [New dates coming soon for the Autumn run of ‘encant’ - email me to get on the waiting list for first dibs!]

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Poetry Café - July 20th This was due to be on the 19th, but there's a clash with the World Cup final, so I've rescheduled it. Sometimes, even poets need to watch football. As ever, sliding scale, recorded and super-friendly. LINK: tomhirons.com/events Get it while you can...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

THIS FRIDAY In an alternate universe, I told you all about this in good time, but yes, we're convening on Friday (10am UK time) for another poetry café - I'd love to see you there. As ever, sliding scale, recorded and super-friendly. 🔗 tomhirons.com/events

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Well, that didn't take long 🤯 Both groups are now fully-booked If you're interested in the next round, which should begin in September, get to the encant page and register your interest now, as I'll list dates for that and open places as soon as I can. Mindblowing... LINK: tomhirons.com/encant

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

e n c a n t I've been mentioning this in various places for a while now, but it's finally here. An eight-week online course in the kind of poetics that makes your hair stand on end and the birds fly in circles. See tomhirons.com/encant for all the information

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

This is your occasional reminder that I offer 1-to-1 mentoring for poets and storytellers, online or in-person. Book a free 20-minute no-obligation call via my website. I'll be straight-up about if and how I think I can help. 🔗 tomhirons.com/work-with-me

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

FERAL ANGELS’ POETRY CAFÉ Tonight (7.30pm UK time) All welcome. Recorded, and sliding scale. Come and be part of our poetry community: writing // conversation // discovering new poetry It's a genuinely welcoming and easy space. 🔗 tomhirons.com/events/feral...

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Reposted by Tom Hirons

Suna @sunaafshan.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

My little poetry press is alive. We’re currently open for pamphlet submissions from UK poets until the end of July, with the aim of bringing these beauties into readers’ hands by Christmas. Find out more below: www.pallinapress.com

pallinapress.com

Pallina Press | Independent Poetry Publisher

Pallina Press is an independent UK poetry publisher and literary journal championing bold contemporary voices, innovative poetry, and beautifully crafted books.

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Reposted by Tom Hirons

Longbarrow Press @longbarrowpress.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

The moon has made the sea milky, opaque the memory of our commonweal, that lost country where we once followed a different life in the nation of now. 'Article 50' Kelvin Corcoran (Longbarrow Press, 2018)

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

AT MIDSUMMER Wishing you all some extraordinary joy at the solstice; or at the very least, a little respite at the turning point of this strange and spindled existence. This one is from AT THE ORPHANS’ DOOR, but I reworked the ending a little in the early hours of today.

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Heads up The next online poetry café is coming up, Wednesday morning (in the UK) If you've never been, rest assured that it's a welcoming and fertile space for poetic exploration. You can stay muted and off-camera if you prefer. Pay what you like and recorded. Dive in. 🔗 tomhirons.com/events

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

This Sunday. Fresh from teaching with Rozi on the Wielding the Green Knife workshop at the weekend, I'm keen to get into some vibrant poetics. If time allows, we'll do some editing work, too. All welcome / sliding scale / recording available 🔗 tomhirons.com/events

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Pssst... There's a THIRD OFF all my books, and all issues of Clarion, and Khalil Sima'an's wonderful chapbook right now in the Feral Angels Press shop. AND the usual sliding scale options apply... Get 'em while they're hot! 🔗 feralangels.com

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Slide 1 of a new series in which I give my unsolicited opinions about The Shit We're In. Tune in soon for more heartwarming affirmations as the world burns.

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

It's getting very close! If you're able to get to this, I can pretty much guarantee it'll change your poet-life forever. It really is the good stuff. Sliding scale full-tilt poetry-magic weekend. LINK: tomhirons.com/events/wield...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

I've reworked this one slightly. It was called UNTIL THE CLIFF until five minutes ago. I think it'll change some more along the way, but I wanted to show you how things twist and morph behind the scenes. I've included the original version, just for fun.

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

I'm trying to find a song about hating ice cream... Has anyone got any pointers? They're thin on the ground...

Bowl of ice cream, because I'm looking for songs about hating ice cream

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

I know no one sees these, but still I persist. I'm still shimmering after yesterday's ROPES OF FLINT AND STARS - thanks so much if you came along or signed up. Tonight's going to be lush and a bit more spacious. I'd love to see you there. 🔗 tomhirons.com/events/feral...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

My annual give-it-everything poetry workshop is TODAY. Three hours of exploration, teaching, conversation and exercises that'll lead us towards a poetics that's rooted in the singing voices in our bones. Like the sound of that? 🔗 tomhirons.com/events/ropes... See you there: 2pm-5pm UK time

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Get yourself booked in for this, tomorrow. 2pm UK time. In 3 hours, I'll give you my very best insight into what I think I'm doing. And, I'll tell you about ‘encant’ the new eight-week online course I'm going to be running from June. More about that very soon. LINK: tomhirons.com/events/ropes...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

This Saturday. Online. Something's alive in our bones. We encounter it in dreaming, in visions, in times of wonder and catastrophe. A poet's work is, perhaps, to dwell in it and write messages from there to our everyday selves, reminding us to remember. LINK: tomhirons.com/events/ropes...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I’m very fond of SCRIMSTONE. We’ve only a few copies left now, but I hope it’ll find its way into print somehow again before too long! I wrote the first draft of it back in about 2010, I think. Here’s the introduction, to whet your appetite.

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

It's Nakba Day. The problems of our world seem intractable. But, we do what we do not only because we hope for change. It is because we can only live upright with our heads held high if we take a stand, and defend this world and all people against desecration and horror. #nakba #landback

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Do you skim-read most work, craving words that actually wake you up and shake you? Do you believe in the power of language, but can’t quite make your own life-force sing on the page? Are your words asking to be set free? Then join us in Cheltenham this June. 🔗 tomhirons.com/events/wield...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW From MOLOK (2025) Up before six, watching the barely-witnessed world. Not writing, but brooding. This one is from MOLOK - it's in the second part, which is largely a call to engage with reality. MOLOK: feralangels.com/books/poetry...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

MILK AND STARS Apparently, it's Mothers' Day in the USA and other places. Many of the pieces in THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN come to mind for today, but this one is always, always the one. It holds a special place in my heart. LINK: feralangels.com/books/poetry...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

WIELDING THE GREEN KNIFE Pull off some of the masks and dare to write the actual truth. Embrace the intensity of a cauldron from which you will emerge with more vibrant language for the things that matter. All the details and booking: tomhirons.com/events/wield...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

VIOLETS AND HER MOUTH (IN THE BEARS’ CAVE) In between ferrying the boys about and being involved in complex emergency scooter repairs, I remembered this one. It’s one of my favourites from THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN. If you don’t have it already, you should get it. See feralangels.com/books/poetry...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

I thought I'd posted this recently, but apparently not. When I was fasting on the moor recently, I spent quite some time with Orion again. This piece is from AT THE ORPHANS’ DOOR (2024) AT THE ORPHANS’ DOOR: feralangels.com/books/poetry...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Up with the dawn chorus. I wish I could say I wrote a masterpiece or two, but mostly I read match reports from last night's PSG v Bayern game and watched a menacing rook in next door's willow. This one's from last year. I appreciate its comparative spaciousness.

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Four slides A THOUSAND THIN VERSES FALL FROM THE SKY From MOLOK (🔗 in my 👤 or ⬇️ ) I'm writing a fair bit, but keeping schtum, mostly. The verges are keeping me sane and I'm anxiously awaiting the swifts - who are late. #poetry #molok #tomhirons

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

FERAL ANGELS’ POETRY CAFÉ Morning poets, and poets of Australia, New Zealand, India and the other worlds of faraway time-zones on the other side of the world from the UK. This one's for you. As ever, you're all welcome to come along. 🔗 tomhirons.com/events

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

ROPES OF FLINT AND STARS 2026 23rd May 2-5pm UK time Each year, I run a three-hour workshop, to which ALL are welcome, in which I explore what's happening in my poetry-workings this year. I'd love for you to join me. All the details are on my website - 🔗 tomhirons.com/events/ropes...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

TONIGHT! There's still time to take your place in the Feral Angels’ Poetry Café, which starts in just over an hour. All who have an interest in poetry and how to write it are welcome. tomhirons.com/events/feral...

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Tom Hirons @hironstom.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

WIELDING THE GREEN KNIFE Cheltenham, June 2026 Hungry for more intensity, authenticity, aliveness in your poetry? Step this way... These weekends really are the business and it's likely your work will never be the same. See you there, in the creative fire. LINK: tomhirons.com/events/wield...

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