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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

All the shades of light and dark in ‘I Am Not Light’, a riveting collection of #poetry by @louloumach.bsky.social shorturl.at/WTEnv #poet #writing #Manchester #Manchesterwriters

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Happy book anniversary for 'I Am Not Light' to Manchester poet, Louise Machen @louloumach.bsky.social Louise will continue to perform over the summer in the North. A true wordsmith and #spokenword maverick! tinyurl.com/bpab6xhj

tinyurl.com

Louise Machen's collection | Black Bough poetry

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

A small poem in honour of my collection’s first anniversary ❤️ @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social

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Victoria Spires @victoriaspires.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

📚 I read some books, I wrote about them victoriaspires.substack.com

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𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒃 ~ 𝒑𝒐𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅 @iamb.uk · 15/03/2026

Despite the rain, the chill, winter's reluctance to cede his throne, spring arrives with daffodils, birdsong, the lengthening of days. Welcoming it are the 15 poets of wave twenty-five of @iamb.uk. Expect 45 poems, written and read – fresh as the incoming season. iamb.uk/index/wave/25

iamb.uk

wave twenty-five | spring 2026 | iamb ~ poetry seen and heard

Hear the poets of wave 25 of literary poetry journal iamb read their poems for spring 2026 .

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Nigel Kent @kent-nj.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

On my website tomorrow louloumach@bluesky.social (AKA Louise Machen) drops in to reflect upon a poem from her emotionally charged collection 'I Am Not Light' (Black Bough Press). A genuinely insight into an accomplished poet's work. Don't miss it. www.nigelkent.poet.wordpress.com

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

‘One of the most exciting contemporary poets I have read’ @wendycaitlin.bsky.social on @louloumach.bsky.social ‘I Am Not Light’ ❤️‍🔥 shorturl.at/xeInp

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𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒃 ~ 𝒑𝒐𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅 @iamb.uk · 01/03/2026

Congratulations to Alina Stephanescu, Anthony Etherin, Colin Bancroft, Elizabeth Loudon, Glenn Barker, HLR, Jim Lloyd, Karen Havelin, Lisa J Coates, Louise Machen, Sarah Frideswide, Sarah Raybould, Saraswati Nagpal, Sean Burke and Vanessa Napolitano. #poetry #iamb #wavetwentyfive

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

So pleased to be included with this magnificent line-up of poets! ❤️

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Frazzled Lit *Closed for Submissions* @frazzledlit.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

We are so grateful for all the kind words and views we have had through the door since yesterday! To our staff readers: @valpoet.bsky.social @louloumach.bsky.social @paulwritespoems.bsky.social @kerrybyrne.bsky.social couldn't have done it without you. www.frazzledlit.com/p/issue-4-ha...

frazzledlit.com

Issue 4 Has Landed!

Welcome to our Spring 2026 issue!

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

‘I reach for her and my fingers turn to ribbons, their doubt-cut dovetails mauling silent air.’ @louloumach.bsky.social Louise Machen from ‘I Am Not Light’ Book available at shorturl.at/PClgk

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

‘there is no daylight without erasure’ Get Louise Machen’s gripping, emotional collection ‘I Am Not Light’ shorturl.at/3Hd9V @louloumach.bsky.social

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Matthew M C Smith @matthewmcsmith.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

When you edited a book and enjoy it even more - months later. ❤️‍🔥 @louloumach.bsky.social book ‘I Am Not Light’ is so dark and intense. Hits you, wave after wave. tinyurl.com/2xzyc5hy

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Bex Hainsworth @poetbex.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Absolutely loved spending my weekend with I Am Not Light by @louloumach.bsky.social . This collection is vivid, raw, and full of blistering seascapes that made my landlocked heart sing! Grab your copy from @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social 🖤

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Frazzled Lit *Closed for Submissions* @frazzledlit.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

Delighted to announce our new poetry readers for issue 4. What a superb crew! Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social Val Harris And Paul Short @paulwritespoems.bsky.social Find their bios on: frazzledlit.com So excited to get started reading your work!

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

‘reckless dragonfly falling into a pool of goblin blood.’ 😈 🩸 🪰 Louise Machen from ‘I Am Not Light’ @louloumach.bsky.social #poetry #writing #poetic

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

‘We were mirrors of each other: Clockhouse labels, Opal Fruits, laburnum flowers in our hair,’ 🪞 🍬 @louloumach.bsky.social from ‘I Am Not Light’ shorturl.at/m5IM1 #poetry #writing #books #poetic

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

BOOK GIVEAWAY! Tomorrow it’s eleven weeks since my collection was published, so I’m doing a little giveaway… 1. Like and share this post 2. Leave a comment below ⬇️ 3. Tag a poetry lover The competition will run for a week and the winner will be announced next Friday 22nd August

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

And there is the cave in all its glory 💚

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 09/08/2025

The face of a happy poet sharing her words ❤️

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

For #PoemsAbout #BlackSky here is my offering (a current work in progress) @thebrokenspine.co.uk Thank you for the prompt! @alanparrywriter.co.uk

In the Background
Louise Machen

A pair of distant planets
circle white dwarf stars,
a routine revolution
refusing to concede
their life-giver is numb –
a tragic mimicry of living.
They continue in their turning,
silvered and silent,
palled in ignorant grief.
Like when people pass
and we close our eyes
pretending not to feel it –
orbiting the dead.

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Tomorrow! We are launching our audiobook, Which Way the Words Grow. This is such a valuable project that I am extremely proud of - give it a listen! Available now on Spotify and YouTube. There’s also a documentary coming soon…

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Double rainbow for a Wednesday - there’s a poem in there ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

This Sunday, get yourself down to The Carlton Club in Manchester for some brilliant poetry and music 💙

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Next Friday is the in-person launch of Which Way the Words Grow - send a DM to get your ticket (only a few remaining!) This promises to be a brilliant night in an extra-special setting 💚 Available now on Spotify and YouTube

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

From my collection, I Am Not Light, here is a poem inspired by the Princess Victoria memorial at Portpatrick, Scotland. “Do not drown me now in their loneliness.” In Need of a Closer Shore

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

‘The orange moon is full with staying’ 🟠 ‘Striding azurite flecked’ Louise Machen’s ‘Lunation’ from ‘I Am Not Light’ @louloumach.bsky.social www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

The online launch for the collection is on Saturday - get your ticket on Eventbrite! 🖤🖤🖤

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

This is where you can find me this summer. Details of all events to follow… Grab yourself a ticket for the online launch of ‘I Am Not Light’ on Eventbrite - it’s going to be mint! eventbrite.com @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Our recent hot release. Louise Machen's 'I Am Not Light', her debut poetry collection. @louloumach.bsky.social 'Wade in, take the risk' blackboughpoetry.com/so/fbPV2pfPn...

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

'and today in your palm, where still my petrified hesitance abandons the possibility of a life' Black Bough author Louise Machen @louloumach.bsky.social with 'The Crab' (a found poem) from 'I Am Not Light'. shorturl.at/me0UM

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

JOIN US and book your free ticket NOW for Louise Machen's online launch of 'I Am Not Light' on Saturday 12th July, 6pm, with special guests. Unmissable! @louloumach.bsky.social www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/louise-mac...

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 29/06/2025

‘creating legends only known to us’ ❤️‍🔥 ‘Cartographer’ by @louloumach.bsky.social From ‘I Am Not Light’. ‘These poems know ‘impossible depths / and hope of a handhold’ (John McAuliffe) www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

Fantastic couple of nights at Dare to Know Theatre regaling the audiences with poems from my book 💜

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

‘There is a drive and a dynamism in her poetry’ Briony Collins @brionycollins.bsky.social on Louise Machen’s @louloumach.bsky.social ‘I Am Not Light’ www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

'its friable edges decay/ with each salt breath, weathered and sunblasted' Louise Machen's 'Exposure' from her debit collection 'I Am Not Light' shorturl.at/fOtss @louloumach.bsky.social

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

‘One of the most exciting contemporary poets I have read’ @wendycaitlin.bsky.social on @louloumach.bsky.social ‘I Am Not Light’ www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

“and I was left with new growth.” Clearing the Wall Without Permission, from ‘I Am Not Light’ - available now from @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social Link below 👇 amzn.eu/d/1rj7PQu

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Get your copy of Louise Machen’s ‘I Am Not Light’ - essential reading for the summer. Loaded, emotive poems. @louloumach.bsky.social www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi...

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

A review by stellar poet @stumcpherson.bsky.social of @louloumach.bsky.social’s ‘I Am Not Light’ - get Louise’s must-have poetry collection www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi... #poetry #books #bookclub #poetic #poet #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #writers #writing

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

My fabulous daughter Hope Yolanda is off on her next artistic journey to play Dorothy in this year’s Play in the Park with @thedukeslancaster.bsky.social get yourself a ticket. It’s going to be mint! 💚💚💚

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Lou Mach @louloumach.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Overwhelmed by this amazing review! Thank you so much @paulwritespoems.bsky.social 🙏✨

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

Louise Machen reads her poem inspired by Sappho from ‘I Am Not Light’. See link in bio to get the book! @louloumach.bsky.social www.blackboughpoetry.com/copy-of-regi... #books #book #poetry #poetic

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Black Bough Poetry @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social · 14/06/2025