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Alan Parry He/Him

@alanparrywriter.co.uk

3.9K followers 2.5K following 4K posts

Independent Writer Spoken-Word Artist EiC @thebrokenspine.co.uk Workshop Facilitator Podcast & Events Host Lecturer in SEND #PromoteIndieLit https://shorturl.at/gxRbM

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · May 24

My debut novella #PeelingApples is out now with @darkwinterlitmag.bsky.social
A tender, unflinching bildungsroman tracing boyhood, loss, and becoming—
Order your copy: amzn.eu/d/angSgVq
I’d love to hear what it stirs in you.

Cover of Peeling Apples by Alan Parry. The title is handwritten in black on a textured pale blue background, partially torn to reveal layered photographs underneath. Images include red apples on a wooden board, a cracked mug holding a cactus, a netted bowl of marbles on a lace doily, and a vintage photo of a young boy holding a football. The author’s name appears at the bottom in the same handwritten font.

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 9h

Working across four concurrent poetry collections right now:

Roots & Wings — a personal exploration
oh Man — on masculinity
unzipped // undone — ekphrastic pieces in response to photography
Fuck Me Like Graffiti — an exploration of the sexual self

Thicc is from FMLG

Black background with white serif text. The poem is titled 34. Thicc in italics.
The poem reads:

the air
is thicc
& this poem

is thicc with
white
space

T H I C C

this sub
is thicc with
this dom

thicc
with you
& thicc
with me

& we are thicc
with each other

//

this top
this bottom
are thicc with

light

this room
sticky
with

want

Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Tracie Renee (she/her) @tracierenee.bsky.social · 1d

A #LiftToTheSky to @alanparrywriter.co.uk, who does so much for the writing community. #PoemsAbout is my favorite corner of Bluesky, because (even when I'm not brave enough to post) it challenges me to keep writing, revising, and engaging with others on the same journey.

Cheers to you, Alan.

Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 2d

This is me right now.

The Broken Spine @thebrokenspine.co.uk · 2d

You usually have to be signed up to our newsletter to read it. However, this week is too important, and I wanted to share it more broadly.

preview.mailerlite.io/preview/5022...

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Dean Norton @zentinl.bsky.social · 1d

@alanparrywriter.co.uk
Very much seconding this. #poemsabout has been transformative for me, and I feel like I am just scratching the surface. I also did Alan's Cutting to the Bone workshop and loved the experience. 🙏🙏🙏

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 1d

Freedom and liberty around creation is everything. Fuck awards and nominations that go nowhere. I don't value work any less than anybody else. I'd argue the opposite. I know this approach rubs some people wrong, but I don't care. ’Cause some people get it.

No genteel liberalism here.

Lin Hart @poetry-with-hart.bsky.social · 1d

I prefer the reach of my own creation, over the prestige of traditional methods. And with that, I have found I have a stronger core sense of identity and internal peace than I've ever had. I owe a large part of that to you. So from the bottom of my heart and bones, thank you, and best wishes

Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Lin Hart @poetry-with-hart.bsky.social · 1d

I don't think I would've had the confidence I do now with building our upcoming group zines, without observing how you build bridges between the the ideas of so many people. How you structure a call for submissions, provide feedback, et all. I've grown into a poet in love with my creative freedom.

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Lin Hart @poetry-with-hart.bsky.social · 1d

I also want to say that you've been an inspiration for me as a community builder too. With @fafo-poets-society.bsky.social we've brought together all kinds of poets on our Discord server, for events and otherwise. As many as 10 or more of us are participating in your prompts each week, ya know 😜

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Lin Hart @poetry-with-hart.bsky.social · 1d

My #MyLiftToTheSky this week goes out to @alanparrywriter.co.uk and @thebrokenspine.co.uk itself.

You've been an inspiration to me as a writer, enabling me to accept the grit within my work. I have explored more facets of myself as a person thru #poemsabout than I could’ve possibly imagined.

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

C. Oulens @owlnsquirrels1111.bsky.social · 2d

2/2
… have probably missed writing for this prompt only once ever since I started here, which is a reflection on the quality of work of the contributors and level of engagement. But I guess we all will understand and respect your decision of doing whatever is best for your health and peace of mind.

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 1d

I'm well aware of all the kindness sent my way this past couple of days. Overwhelmed. You people are genuinely kind hearted, and I'm pleased to know we've touched one another in some way. I can't respond to everybody. Every day continues to be a struggle. But I'm still kicking.

a close up of a man with the words i 'm tryin ' ringo written on his face

ALT: a close up of a man with the words i 'm tryin ' ringo written on his face

media.tenor.com

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 1d

They be stress balls, not anal beads. I broke two squishy stress balls this past week. Had to buy something more robust.

A hand holds a small zippered case containing seven magnetic stress balls in black, purple, and lilac tones. Each ball has a unique textured surface, including smooth ridges, dimples, and spiky patterns, designed for tactile stimulation and stress relief.

Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 1d

Love this recent playlist I made...

#Dance&Drink&Screw

open.spotify.com/playlist/3zm...

💜Dance&Drink&Screw💜

open.spotify.com

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 1d

Much love x

Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 1d

Thank you. Paul and other #PoemsAbout folk are good people!

1 1

Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Carolyn Thomas @carolynthomas.bsky.social · 2d

A #LifttotheSky for this amazing collection of sonnets by the brilliant Paul Brookes @thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social who contributes so much to the #poetrycommunity. Published in 2022, but new to me, it explores myth and legend with grace and wit
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Carolyn Thomas @carolynthomas.bsky.social · 2d

A #LifttotheSky for this powerful new collection by the splendid Merril D Smith @merrildsmith.bsky.social
#poetrycommunity
Characteristically beautiful and evocative writing, honest and deeply moving, it also includes many of her wonderful photographs @alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Carolyn Thomas @carolynthomas.bsky.social · 2d

My #LifttotheSky today goes to Anna Orridge @anna-orridge.bsky.social who writes powerful poetry, makes a great contribution to the #poetrycommunity
and, through her posts, ensures our attention is drawn to things that cry out for action
@alanparrywriter.co.uk
@thebrokenspine.co.uk

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

C. Oulens @owlnsquirrels1111.bsky.social · 2d

#LiftToTheSky I’d like you to know that this wonderful community of poemsabout and The Broken Spine have been an incredible source of motivation for me in my writing journey and am ever so thankful to you. Your energy and dedication in making this space vibrant is truly appreciated. I… 1/2

Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 2d

This is me right now.

The Broken Spine @thebrokenspine.co.uk · 2d

You usually have to be signed up to our newsletter to read it. However, this week is too important, and I wanted to share it more broadly.

preview.mailerlite.io/preview/5022...

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 2d

Pics from a walk this afternoon. Heading out for another hour or so now. I have managed to sort some long-standing Broken Spine issues out and get a MS ready for publication today.

Southport Rugby Club pitch with white goalposts standing tall on green grass, bordered by red brick walls and suburban houses under a grey sky.

Tree-lined pavement in Southport on an overcast autumn day, with golden leaves scattered across the footpath beside a red brick wall and passing traffic.

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 2d

This is me right now.

The Broken Spine @thebrokenspine.co.uk · 2d

You usually have to be signed up to our newsletter to read it. However, this week is too important, and I wanted to share it more broadly.

preview.mailerlite.io/preview/5022...

Thank You — and Some Honesty

preview.mailerlite.io

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 3d

There’s such depth in these — language pulled from the mire & made luminous. Thoughtful, raw, and utterly human. Precisely why this prompt series exists. Thanks for sharing! #PoemsAbout #ImperfectMe

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Karen Keefe @greenkari.bsky.social · 3d

My husband, Robert Guzikowski, has aphasia. These poems are from his book, Unwordly, published by UnCollected Press. #PoemsAbout#ImperfectMe

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 3d

A manifesto in miniature — clear, compassionate, and necessary. “Lift the mask worn by the apparently whole” feels both invitation & command. #KeepWriting
#PoemsAbout #ImperfectMe

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Kristin Houlihan, Writer @kristinwrites.bsky.social · 3d

Late post for #PoemsAbout #ImperfectMe

@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk

From my book, Lift the Mask, and the piece its title was taken from (this is a photo of the page from the paperback)

#Ubiquity

Normalize the
#ubiquity of brokenness.
Enlighten all to the
universality of struggle.
Lift the mask worn
by the apparently whole.
Each broken soul
will then find solace
in knowing it's
not alone.

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Alan Parry He/Him @alanparrywriter.co.uk · 3d

‘i float behind like a deflating balloon’ You capture invisibility tenderly, the pain of being half-seen, half tethered.
#KeepWriting #PoemsAbout #ImperfectMe

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Reposted by Alan Parry He/Him

Ian Brownlie @ianbrownlie.bsky.social · 3d

Am I late for #poemsabout? Perfect.
#ImperfectMe
@thebrokenspine.co.uk
@alanparrywriter.co.uk

dog walking

the man crouches down to stroke my dog
i float behind like a deflating balloon
tethered to a child

their exchange is silent
and so personal
that i feel the need to look away

the man stands up
eyeing the balloon properly for the first time
then walks away as if confused by its presence

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