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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 is the 13th essay in my monthly series for paid subscribers, which guides you from the initial point of conception right through to post-publication. The paid plan costs £5 monthly / £50 annually, and that includes full access to the growing archive of 130+ posts.
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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
30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football 🎶📰⚽️
30yearsofhurt.substack.com
Divorce (At Last), Gallagher Turmoil & Soap Wars
30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 26/08/2026
...and Liam drags his case from a Boeing 747 sat on the runway at Heathrow. What excuses did he have for ditching their US tour at the 11th hour?! Meanwhile, Ball resigns at City, and Hoddle's first game as England manager marks two other landmarks for the Three Lions in Moldova.
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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 · 26/08/2026
Thank you!
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 21/08/2026
We're all on our own individual journeys, but hopefully, some of this will be useful! It's free for everybody to read, so please have a look. mattabbottpoet.substack.com/p/on-submitt... 👈🏻
mattabbottpoet.substack.com
On submitting my collection for typesetting
Where my head’s at on reaching this landmark: six questions answered
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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
🏫 Over 50 schools visited. 🎒 Mainstream and AP, including PRUs, SEMH and SEND schools. 🧒 Working with pupils aged 4+. 📍 13 regions across England. 🛬 Two international schools on the French Riviera. Most of the post is free to read. Paid plan: £5 monthly / £50 annual.
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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
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐛 aims to provide a range of creative and practical resources for poets who are interested in professionalising their craft to some degree. It draws from 10+ years of experience as a full-time poet and costs £5 monthly or £50 annual. mattabbottpoet.substack.com
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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 31/07/2026
...is offer some honest and manageable insights and suggestions to help you make the most of your collection, and play to your strengths online — your strengths and also your poems'. This is No.12 in a monthly series on publishing a collection: from conception to post-launch.
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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
However you interpet the track, it's a beautiful and powerful song that's well-and-truly stood the test of time. Read more about what happened 30 years ago this week in the latest post from 30 Years of Hurt.
30yearsofhurt.substack.com
Spice Mania, Manics’ Message, Court Cases & Olympic Drama
30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football
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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
...where the group performed an A’ capella rendition of Fame. But even at that stage, they had no idea what they had in store! Read more about what was happening 30 years ago this week in UK pop culture, politics & football below.
30yearsofhurt.substack.com
Spice Mania, Manics’ Message, Court Cases & Olympic Drama
30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football
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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
30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football 🎶📰🎤 30yearsofhurt.substack.com/p/spice-mani...
30yearsofhurt.substack.com
Spice Mania, Manics’ Message, Court Cases & Olympic Drama
30 years ago this week in pop culture, politics & football
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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
The tragic assassination of investigate journalist Veronica Guerin in Dublin sent shockwaves around Ireland as well as the UK, PM John Major tied himself even further in knots, and the divorce of Charles and Diana inched further towards completion. Subscribe now for your weekly dose of nostalgia!
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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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Matt Abbott 🍉 @mattabbottpoet.com · 16/05/2026
Ah, thanks for sharing!
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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
P.S. Also, please let me know if you'd like to see more videos like this on this platform...ta!
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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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Reposted by Matt Abbott 🍉
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
Available to read now via The Day Job. The paid plan costs £5 per month or £50 annually, and there's a reward scheme for subscribers who refer friends.
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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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