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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

The wonderful Francis Harvey. 1925-2014

Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Dean Browne @deanbrowne.bsky.social (@picadorbooks.bsky.social) and Eilish Martin (@machapress.bsky.social) are this year's poets for the John Hewitt Birthday Reading Oct 27th Tickets selling well. www.poetryireland.ie/whats-on/joh...

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

The black-shirted Kings Army is a group of far right 'Christian' fanatics. They recently occupied Compton St, Soho, to protest Queer lives. See the photo to appreciate just how evil they are. And they are proud to display photos of their leadership, too.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

My time at Cove Park (Rosneath) is proving productive. How could not be, given the setting and the people who run it. @covepark.bsky.social

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Currently at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, living the life with a lovely group of artists, musicians and writers. I'm here to translate poems by Jules Supervielle. The going is good.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

My first such mention. Thank you. (I hope the poem doesn't disappoint!)

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

3 from the National Gallery, London: Stubbs, Delaroche, and Caravaggio.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Dean Atta decided to remain on the Polari Prize longlist but expressed solidarity with those, like Sanah Ahsan, who have withdrawn their work for consideration. Sitting in Foyles, about to have a very cursory look at both.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

The River Mill is thrilled to be hosting a short story workshop with the celebrated writer @leoneross.bsky.social . See photo for details. April 19th Limited to 12 participants We anticipate places going quickly.

FINE TUNING THE SHORT STORY: a day-long workshop with Leone Ross

Location: The River Mill (43 Ballyclander Road, Co Down, BT30 7DE)
Date: Saturday, April 19th
Time: 10.30am arrival for an 11.00am start, finishing at 5.00pm—with a break for lunch.
Cost: £70.00, including catered lunch. (To be paid prior to attending.)
12 participants maximum.
Email inforivermill@gmail.com to book

This workshop is curated for lovers of the short story and Ross will offer an opportunity to fine-tune your writing in this form. The group will reacquaint themselves with classic forms of storytelling and then playfully consider the role of subversion. Expect to plan and write a short story, and then to rip it up and start again. The day includes writing exercises, mini-lectures and lunch. In advance of the workshop, we will email you a few short stories which will be referenced by Ross.

Accommodation: if you want to stay at the River Mill either the night before the workshop or the evening after the workshop (or both!) then you will need to book that separately, and space limited www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

A photo getting much attention, and rightly so. Churchill visiting the White House during WWII, wearing military dress, not a suit. Pathetic that "I was lucky to escape any real fighting" @jdvance1.bsky.social should mock a military man for representing his forces in this way.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

A standing-room-only crowd at the Seamus Heaney Centre tonight to celebrate the launch of Garrett Carr's The Boy from the Sea (Picador). Great to see this level of support and admiration for Garrett. And introduced by the always stupendous Louise Kennedy .

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

"The sun slid lower and I willed gold and it came" (poet Jean Bleakney). A beautiful day at the mill. Open through May, at least. See www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

If you come to the mill for a spell of writing, be prepared to overdose on DJ's cuteness. (He belongs to the neighbours but visits daily.) www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Paul Singer, via the Elliott Hedge Fund, invests in Israel, owns Waterstones & Barnes&Noble, invests in fossil fuels and is a massive donor to Trump's campaigns. He also supports SSM legislation because his son is gay. Make sure you examine who supports your rights & who is selling your books.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Frosty day at the River Mill, so cuddles on the sofa with DJ (the neighbour's kitty) were essential. www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Merry Christmas one and all. Pictured: Eddie, my host's dear and quite old kitty, who is a very sweet companion.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

A wonderful £1.00 find in Belfast today. Leather tooled cover, 1911 dedication, a handwritten poem and Whitman's gem. @waltwhitmanok.bsky.social

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

This arrived today: YA novel from Bermudian based writer, Elizabeth Jones,winner of a Bermuda Government Literary Award 2023 and the Caribbean's Burt Award for Young Adult Literature. I've heard wonderful things about this and it will be my Christmas read.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

I've been away from the River Mill for a few days and it was great to snuggle with DJ for a while. (He belongs to the neighbours and visits frequently.)

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

A few recent snaps from the River Mill. www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Last year in Stonington, CT, at the lighting of the lobster trap Christmas tree. I was at @jamesmerrillhouse.bsky.social, and it was an amazing month. Applications for writing residencies are open until Jan 13. www.jamesmerrillhouse.org/apply

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

The River Mill Writers Retreat is still open. The sale doesn't seem to be happening. So bookings are available in Jan and Feb. Start 2025 with a renewed attack on that writing project. See the website for rooms & prices. Group rates and self-catering options also available. www.the-river-mill.co.uk

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

This makes me very happy. Pictured with Susannah Dickie, just after she won the inaugural Pen Heaney Prize for her collection, Isdal, from Picador. She's a wonder. The ceremony was hosted by the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's University.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

The night sky over Co Down tonight.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Instead of the suggested 10k swim, I've now completed 66k for the @cancerresearchuk.org November swim challenge. Together, we've surpassed my £1000.00 goal. But why stop there. Please consider a donation, if you're in a position to do so. fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/pauls-g...

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

Yesterday was the 3rd anniversary of mum's death, so I took a portion of Muffins ashes to add to the ground. She was a good companion to mum as well. Perhaps it's a little silly, but there's comfort for me in this.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

In the recent Abridged, along with the grinding stone that's referenced.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Forgive me, I've yet to post a cat photo. Here's DJ, who belongs to the neighbours but is a regular visitor to The River Mill

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Only a century late to the party. What a bizarre and brilliant poet he was.

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Paul Maddern @pmaddern.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

I have jury duty during Nov and early Dec so I'm only taking self catering bookings for this period* at www.the-river-mill.co.uk Great rates, though. •Any room, £30.00 per day. • Whole place (5 rooms), £150.00 per day. (*unless circumstances change) [Oh, and screw X.]

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