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Matt Abbott 🍉

@mattabbottpoet.com
917 followers 353 following 543 posts

✍️🏻 Poet, novelist & educator 📚 3 full-length poetry books 📕 1 novel 📍 Leeds, UK 🦚 #lufc ♂️ He/him 🧠 AuDHD 🎤 @livewirepoetry.org 🌐 mattabbottpoet.com

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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 17/09/2026
My poem 'Lost, Somewhere Between' has been Highly Commended in the Forward Prizes' Best Single Poem - Performed category. I'm absolutely buzzing to have my work recognised by such a prestigious prize. Huge congratulations to everybody else who was Highly Commended!
mattabbottpoet.com
Highly Commended in the Forward Prizes for Poetry
Matt Abbott has been Highly Commended in the Forward Prizes for Poetry with his poem 'Lost, Somewhere Between', which features in the Best Single Poem - Performed category.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 16/09/2026
This week's edition of 𝟯𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝘁 sees Tony Blair's Labour at loggerheads over controversial Child Benefit reforms, Oprah changing the book industry overnight, Vieira making his Arsenal début, DJ Shadow releasing his 𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨... album, and more! 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/labours-di...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 11/09/2026
This week on 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗯, I'm offering insight into the editorial process for a poetry collection. This includes: 💁🏻‍♂️ Establishing (and managing) your expectations 🧱 Understanding structural edits 🔍 Navigating line edits (and stubbornness vs compromise) 💻 The technical aspect (inc. 'track changes')
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
Working with an editor on your manuscript
Essay #13 in the series on creating and publishing a poetry collection
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 10/09/2026
In this week's edition of 𝟯𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝘁, the world is rocked by 2Pac's tragic death following a drive-by shooting, Ford launches its iconic Ka model, and The Cardigans release 'Lovefool.' Read about these events and more from 30 years ago this week 📰🎶⚽️ 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/tupacs-dea...
30yearsofhurt.substack.com
Tupac’s Death, A Nuclear Treaty, Ford’s ‘Ka’ & ‘Lovefool’
30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 08/09/2026
The latest edition of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗯 features 10 poetry writing prompts to welcome autumn. 7 of these are for everybody, and 3 are exclusively for paid subscribers 🍂✍️
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
10 poetry prompts to welcome autumn
7 prompts for everybody & 3 for paid subscribers
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 26/08/2026
🆕️ In this week's edition of 𝟯𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝘁, we finally see the decree absolute on Charles & Diana's divorce, the 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘌𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 youth are in Blackpool as they battle it out with Corrie for Bank Holiday viewing figures...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 21/08/2026
Last week, I submitted my début (adult) poetry collection for typesetting. Considering I've been writing & performing poetry for 20 years, it felt like quite a 'moment.' So, I've written a post which answers six key questions, to try & capture this & provide as much honest insight as possible.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 19/08/2026
🆕️ This week's 30 Years of Hurt features Princess Diana's final week of married life, with plans to switch royal duties for humanitarian work. The Evening Standard publish one of the most notorious football headlines of modern times. And two major singles would define the era.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 07/08/2026
🆕️ This week's edition 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗯 gathers some reflections on the 2025/26 academic year. Whether you plan to visit schools as a poet or not, these reflections will hopefully be valuable to you in some way. mattabbottpoet.substack.com/p/reflecting...
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
Reflecting on the 2025/26 academic year
What does it tell us about poetry, about being a poet, and about the world?
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 05/08/2026
🆕️ This week's edition of 30 Years of Hurt features Oasis playing two era-defining shows at Knebworth, NASA making us giddy with a hint at Martian lifeforms, and Alan Shearer's Newcastle début. 30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football 🎶📰⚽️ 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/oasis-do-k...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 31/07/2026
🆕️ This week's edition 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐛 takes a look at creating quality promo content for your poetry collection. It's absolutely not a 'how-to guide' to go viral or guarantee huge sales — those things are beyond me. What it hopefully does... mattabbottpoet.substack.com/p/creating-q...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 29/07/2026
🆕️ This week's edition of 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 features Oasis playing two epic 'warm-up shows' at Loch Lomond, Nigeria making history by winning Olympic gold, Michael Johnson breaking a world record, plus plenty more! 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/from-the-s...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 22/07/2026
Also 30 years ago today, Manic Street Preachers released Everything Must Go. It's a highly emotive single — cited by lyricist Nicky Wire as being “a message to the fans” following the mysterious disappearance of guitarist Richey Edwards the previous year.
youtu.be
Manic Street Preachers - Everything Must Go (Official Video)
YouTube video by ManicStPreachersVEVO
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 22/07/2026
30 years ago today, the Spice Girls were at No.1 in the UK singles charts with Wannabe, having knocked Gary Barlow's Forever Love from the summit. They celebrated reaching the top spot with a raucous night on the Tokyo tiles. The party culminated at a karaoke bar...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 22/07/2026
🆕️ This week's edition of '30 Years of Hurt' features more Spice Mania, with 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘦 now at No.1! There's also drama both on and off the track at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, an emotional message to the fans in the new Manics single, and a few landmark court cases that ruffled a lot of feathers.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 15/07/2026
🆕️ This week's edition of '30 Years of Hurt' features Spice Girls fever sweeping around the globe, Newcastle United agreeing a colossal £15m fee for Alan Shearer, the Summer Olympics launching in Atlanta, and the New York premiere of 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨. 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/spice-girl...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 10/07/2026
This week's edition of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐛 is a celebration of the Poetry By Heart competition. On Monday, I was part of the judging team at the Grand Final. If you work in a school or college in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and think this sounds like a great idea, register for free 🎤 mattabbottpoet.substack.com/p/in-praise-...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 10/07/2026
This week's edition of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐛 is a celebration of the Poetry By Heart competition. On Monday, I was part of the judging team at the Grand Final. If you work in a school or college in 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and think this sounds like a great idea, register for free 🎤 mattabbottpoet.substack.com/p/in-praise-...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 08/07/2026
🆕️ This week's edition of 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 features the meteoric arrival of the Spice Girls (yes, it's 30 years today since 'Wannabe' was released), a state visit from Nelson Mandela, the Drumcree crisis, and a hugely influential rave on the M41. 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/the-spice-... 📰🎶⚽️
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 01/07/2026
🆕 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞 This week's edition of 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 features the historic birth of Dolly the Sheep, a landmark London Pride, the Stone of Destiny's return home, and an exciting new signing on Teesside. Check it out 🎶📰⚽️ 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/the-sheep-...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 26/06/2026
🆕️ 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞 This week's edition of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐛 contains craft notes and insights for my poem that was recently Highly Commended in The Caterpillar Poetry Prize. It's free for everybody to read, so have a butcher's 🐛
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
BTS on my Highly Commended kids’ poem
Notes and insights into my poem that placed in The Caterpillar Poetry Prize
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 24/06/2026
🆕 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞 This week's edition of 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 features England's semi-final heartbreak, plus the unsavoury scenes that followed at Trafalgar Square. Elsewhere in the week commencing 24 June 1996... 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/penalty-he... 🎶📰⚽️
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 17/06/2026
🆕️ 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 This week's edition features some Major Beef, England's masterclass over the Dutch, and a seismic divorce settlement in Windsor! 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/major-beef...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 13/06/2026
Congratulations to @anniellewe.bsky.social on winning this year's Caterpillar Poetry Prize! I'm buzzing to have been Highly Commended alongside her.
irishtimes.com
Anna Llewellyn wins Caterpillar Poetry Prize
A man teaching the birds to sing captivated this year’s judge
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 03/06/2026
🆕️ 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞 The latest edition of 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 sees the launch of Euro '96 (and my first ever football game), an intensifying debate around "Heroin Chic" in the fashion world, a record-breaking single from The Fugees, doubts over the Dome, and some incredible photos from the YEP archives.
30yearsofhurt.substack.com
Tournament Fever, “Heroin Chic” & Doubts Over The Dome
30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 28/05/2026
This week's edition of 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐫𝐭 features multiple scandals, a Royal divorce, the long-awaited return of The Doctor, and mismatched fortunes for the Foxes and the Eagles. Read it now and subscribe at 👇🏻 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/the-doctor...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 26/05/2026
A pair of lush Sunday morning writing workshops coming up from @mlferg.bsky.social, with all proceeds donated to Papyrus — a young person's suicide prevention charity. £12.50 each or both for £20. They'll sell fast! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/writing-fo...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 21/05/2026
Me and Dad at the football on Sunday. #lufc's final home game of the season, and what felt like the end of an era, with redevelopment already underway. The more time that passes, the more this place means to us. If it were merely sport, none of us would bother. Where you come to truly feel alive 🤍🦚
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 20/05/2026
I'm over the moon to be on hosting duties for this one 🙌🏻
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Reposted by Matt Abbott 🍉
The Poetry Society @poetrysociety.org.uk · 15/05/2026
Big thanks to @mattabbottpoet.com whose latest substack is about facilitating poetry for wellbeing, taking inspiration from our schools project, Steph's Poetry Space. Matt picks out some favourite poems & offers great ideas for exercises to do around them mattabbottpoet.substack.com/p/poetry-for...
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
Poetry for Wellbeing
Experienced full-time poet Matt Abbott presents a few wellbeing-based poetry exercises for you to try or use in workshops.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 16/05/2026
My latest post on Substack is free for everybody to read and features some poetry writing exercises based around wellbeing ✍️🏻
open.substack.com
Poetry for Wellbeing
Experienced full-time poet Matt Abbott presents a few wellbeing-based poetry exercises for you to try or use in workshops.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 31/03/2026
Eyup! I recorded this for TikTok, but I thought I'd may as well share it on here. This is one of my favourite poetry writing exercises. It's targeted at teens upwards. If you have a go, I'd love to see some of your favourite lines in the comments ✍️🏻
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The Poetry Society @poetrysociety.org.uk · 29/03/2026
Nice to see this news piece about our recent eco-poetry project with poets @mattabbottpoet.com & Cassandra Parkin, schools in Rotherham and green engineering firm AESSEAL! www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/...
rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk
'Powerful' young poets imagine a greener future
YOUNG poets shared their views on nature, wildlife and recycling at a showcase held at AESSEAL’s Rotherham headquarters.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 27/03/2026
🆕️ 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞 Essay #8 in my monthly series on writing and publishing a poetry collection. This time, I talk through the process of submitting your manuscript to prospective publishers: a crucial milestone!
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
Submitting your collection to publishers
Essay #8 in the series on creating & publishing a poetry collection
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 25/03/2026
A massive bag full of books at New Pudsey station can only mean one thing... school visit in London!! 🚇➡️ Wimbledon Park Primary School
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 24/03/2026
🆕️ 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞 I thought it'd be useful to provide a 'behind the curtains' glimpse at the editorial journey behind my new poem. It's tricky to go into too much detail with your general editorial process because every poem is so different, so hopefully, this post will be of some use.
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
Behind the curtain: my poem in Magma 94
The story and editorial process behind the poem, plus a video recording
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Reposted by Matt Abbott 🍉
Magma Poetry @magmapoetry.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
We're thrilled to announce our latest issue, Magma 94 'Remix' is now published! Editors @cloudscholar.bsky.social, Lola Oh and ‪@williekinard.com said the poems they received "astounded, challenged, and delighted us" Get your hands on a copy here: magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 23/03/2026
Huge thanks to @magmapoetry.bsky.social for publishing this poem in their latest issue — 'Magma 94: The Remix'. I've been submitting to lit mags, journals, etc., since the beginning of autumn 2023, and this was my first acceptance.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 21/03/2026
🆕️ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 • A few thoughts from 🇲🇨 & 🇫🇷. • Viewing your poetry through an international lens. • Adapting your poetry (or not) for audiences who aren't local. • 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬: bespoke prompts in response to three Hugo Williams poems. mattabbottpoet.substack.com/p/hugo-willi...
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
Hugo Williams and the French Riviera
Reflecting on some international school visits, plus some bespoke writing prompts
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Reposted by Matt Abbott 🍉
Luke Corcoran @lukecorcoran.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Loved this! Some cracking lines in there. Also, my son loved the session you did at his school. It got a rare two thumbs up (this is the highest possible praise).
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 18/03/2026
Performing my poem 'Lost, Somewhere Between' at Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds back in February. 🎥 by Natasha Dobson (NJD Photography)
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The Poetry Society @poetrysociety.org.uk · 10/03/2026
Well done to all the young poets who wowed us with their poems on climate change at today's Imagining a Greener Future poetry showcase in Rotherham! Thank you to project partner AESSEAL, the 5 local schools who took part, host @mattabbottpoet.com & #FoyleYoungPoet and guest reader Nathan Graham.
Poet Matt Abbott speaks to an audience of school students int he AESSEAL factory.Poet Nathan performs a poem in front of a blue Poetry Society banner.Pupils look at the pond on the AESSEAL tree walk, with a sign in the foreground saying Wetlands Wildlife with illustrations of plants and animals.A hand holds an orange bookmark saying The Poetry Society in front of a sign illustrated with families enjoying Rotherham, with a tent labelled Made in Rotherham in the background.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 07/03/2026
Off to see @bunnymen.com in Leeds for my old man's 65th! I fell in love with these through Donnie Darko, way back in 6th Form. Can't wait 🎶
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 01/03/2026
FWIW, many #lufc are fans deeply ashamed by the last night's booing. I totally get "We are Leeds, we are vile" as a deeply entrenched anti-establishment mindset, and I do believe Pep using the drinks break for a team talk fuelled the majority of boos, but it's still shameful. Not a good look at all.
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Roaring 20s Radio @roaring20sradio.substack.com · 06/02/2026
Check out our latest Substack post for listen back links for our Jan & Feb episodes, plus content related to our round-ups and recommendations! roaring20sradio.substack.com/p/episodes-5...
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 30/12/2025
🆕️ My latest post on Substack is a mix of career development, cultural exchange, and general thoughts at the close of 2025. It's free for everybody to read, so please share it if you like it! mattabbottpoet.substack.com/p/discoverie...
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
Discoveries and development from 2025
Career developments, cultural exchange, and general thoughts at the close of the year
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 11/12/2025
Last night saw the celebration event for the second instalment of the Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme through Screen Yorkshire. I was buzzing to be a part of the cohort, which included 10 writers who are all established outside of screenwriting.
mattabbottpoet.com
The Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme for Screen Yorkshire
Matt Abbott was one of the cohort for The Mayor’s Script Diversity Programme via Screen Yorkshire.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 01/12/2025
Soul Shed at WX Wakefield on 6 Dec Matt Abbott is performing as part of Soul Shed at WX Wakefield on Saturday 6 December 2025.
mattabbottpoet.com
Soul Shed at WX Wakefield on 6 Dec
Matt Abbott is performing as part of Soul Shed at WX Wakefield on Saturday 6 December 2025.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 14/11/2025
This week's essay is a candid insight into how you might approach the crossroads of a poem's first draft stage. Because, more often than not, first drafts aren't under-polished — they're under𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥. 💷 £5 per month for weekly long-form posts.
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
At the crossroads of a poem’s first draft stage
Earlier this week, I dug myself a hole that every poet will have found themselves in at least a handful of times.
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 07/11/2025
This week's essay continues my series on the process of publishing a poetry collection, right through from conception to post-publication. 💭 How do you graduate from the daydream phase to giving your collection a tangible presence in your life? 🛑 What should you avoid at this stage?
open.substack.com
Poetry collection essay #3: Making it a tangible reality
How to graduate from the daydream phase to giving something a tangible presence in your life that demands attention
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