Anna Bowles
@annabowles.bsky.social
Activist volunteering in East Ukraine and London. Poet, novelist and freelance children's book editor. My travel and activism blog is at annabowles.substack.com
Pinned
Anna Bowles
@annabowles.bsky.social
· Dec 8
Everyone Hates Aid Agencies (Part 1)
They do? Why?!
annabowles.substack.com
annabowles.substack.com/p/everyone-h... My latest blog post looks at the controversial topic of big aid agencies working in #Ukraine - or, many would say, NOT working while sucking up all the donations. #redcross #unicef #nafo
Today's interview is with a local builder in the city of Sloviansk, Donetsk oblast, about the relentless drone, guide bomb and missile attacks people there have to endure, and how they (try to) cope. annabowles.substack.com/p/the-rebuil...
The (Re)Builder of Sloviansk
Sloviansk is under hourly bombardment. Attacks on the power grid mean electricity blackouts can last for days. The Ukrainian army needs all the support we can provide to hold back the Russian advance.
annabowles.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Today's interview is with a local builder in the city of Sloviansk, Donetsk oblast, about the relentless drone, guide bomb and missile attacks people there have to endure, and how they (try to) cope. annabowles.substack.com/p/the-rebuil...
Reposted by Anna Bowles
With Trump + his spineless followers desperate to give away Donetsk, it's worth remembering the people living there, whose lives will be ripped apart.
Recently @annabowles.bsky.social was in Kramatorsk & told the moving story of volunteer Ivanna. Please read!
annabowles.substack.com/p/the-heart-...
Recently @annabowles.bsky.social was in Kramatorsk & told the moving story of volunteer Ivanna. Please read!
annabowles.substack.com/p/the-heart-...
"The heart of Kramatorsk is war"
The army keeps Ukraine going, and sometimes civilian volunteers keep the army going. As well as taking me on a supply run to a unit base, Ivanna told me about her absolute dedication to the cause.
annabowles.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
With Trump + his spineless followers desperate to give away Donetsk, it's worth remembering the people living there, whose lives will be ripped apart.
Recently @annabowles.bsky.social was in Kramatorsk & told the moving story of volunteer Ivanna. Please read!
annabowles.substack.com/p/the-heart-...
Recently @annabowles.bsky.social was in Kramatorsk & told the moving story of volunteer Ivanna. Please read!
annabowles.substack.com/p/the-heart-...
If you think 'giving up territory' to Russia is a neutral compromise, meet one of the ordinary people who would be given up along with it. annabowles.substack.com/p/the-heart-...
November 22, 2025 at 2:16 PM
If you think 'giving up territory' to Russia is a neutral compromise, meet one of the ordinary people who would be given up along with it. annabowles.substack.com/p/the-heart-...
Lives Amongst Death
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
Lives Amongst Death
Hanna and Lena of the Ceremonial Funeral Home in Dnipro provide their services free for soldiers and victims of the war.
open.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Lives Amongst Death
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
Reposted by Anna Bowles
We hope you can join us for the launch of FILLY by @rosamundtaylor.bsky.social on Wednesday 15 October at @booksupstairs.bsky.social in Dublin! It kicks off at 6pm with Banshee poetry editor @jesstraynor.bsky.social introducing Rosamund. All are welcome! ✨
bansheepress.org/read/celebra...
bansheepress.org/read/celebra...
Celebrate the launch of Filly by Rosamund Taylor — Banshee Press
We hope you can join us to raise a glass to Filly , the beautiful new verse novel by acclaimed poet Rosamund Taylor, in Books Upstairs on Wednesday 15 October! Banshee poetry editor Jessica…
bansheepress.org
September 26, 2025 at 9:42 AM
We hope you can join us for the launch of FILLY by @rosamundtaylor.bsky.social on Wednesday 15 October at @booksupstairs.bsky.social in Dublin! It kicks off at 6pm with Banshee poetry editor @jesstraynor.bsky.social introducing Rosamund. All are welcome! ✨
bansheepress.org/read/celebra...
bansheepress.org/read/celebra...
Life in Occupied Kherson City
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
Life in Occupied Kherson City
Lately there's talk about a 'land swap' with Russia. In truth, that means handing over currently free people to torture. Albina lived under occupation for 8.5 months before the liberation of her city.
open.substack.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Life in Occupied Kherson City
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Honoured to win 3rd prize in the 2025 Ironbridge Comp with Helen Eastman of @livecanon.bsky.social & Sharon Ashton. 2nd prize @annabowles.bsky.social & first prize Chrissy Banks. Thanks to judge Liz Lefroy & @pandemonialists.bsky.social You can hear the poem here: youtu.be/HuHM9LbgSkE?...
The conductor changes the way she talks about rhythm by Suzanna Fitzpatrick - 3rd Ironbridge 2025
YouTube video by Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists
youtu.be
July 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Honoured to win 3rd prize in the 2025 Ironbridge Comp with Helen Eastman of @livecanon.bsky.social & Sharon Ashton. 2nd prize @annabowles.bsky.social & first prize Chrissy Banks. Thanks to judge Liz Lefroy & @pandemonialists.bsky.social You can hear the poem here: youtu.be/HuHM9LbgSkE?...
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Delighted to announce Magma 92 'Ownership' is now published and available to buy on our website.
Edited by @pimlottkathy.bsky.social Danne Jobin and Paul Stephenson.
#magma #poetry
#ownership #magma92
#poetrymagazine
#magmapoetry
Get your hands on a copy here: magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
Edited by @pimlottkathy.bsky.social Danne Jobin and Paul Stephenson.
#magma #poetry
#ownership #magma92
#poetrymagazine
#magmapoetry
Get your hands on a copy here: magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
June 30, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Delighted to announce Magma 92 'Ownership' is now published and available to buy on our website.
Edited by @pimlottkathy.bsky.social Danne Jobin and Paul Stephenson.
#magma #poetry
#ownership #magma92
#poetrymagazine
#magmapoetry
Get your hands on a copy here: magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
Edited by @pimlottkathy.bsky.social Danne Jobin and Paul Stephenson.
#magma #poetry
#ownership #magma92
#poetrymagazine
#magmapoetry
Get your hands on a copy here: magmapoetry.com/archive/magm...
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Good writing is when Zelensky sits in the US president’s chair at G7 after he left early
June 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Good writing is when Zelensky sits in the US president’s chair at G7 after he left early
Reposted by Anna Bowles
A question being asked by Ukrainians.
June 13, 2025 at 4:41 PM
A question being asked by Ukrainians.
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Today's "Operation Web" which I think is the biggest ever single attack on Russia or its previous incarnation of the Soviet Union, was in the planning for a year + a half.
Pres Zelenskyy is said to have supervised the operation, but the glory belongs to Vasyl Malyuk + his team.
Pres Zelenskyy is said to have supervised the operation, but the glory belongs to Vasyl Malyuk + his team.
June 1, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Today's "Operation Web" which I think is the biggest ever single attack on Russia or its previous incarnation of the Soviet Union, was in the planning for a year + a half.
Pres Zelenskyy is said to have supervised the operation, but the glory belongs to Vasyl Malyuk + his team.
Pres Zelenskyy is said to have supervised the operation, but the glory belongs to Vasyl Malyuk + his team.
Reposted by Anna Bowles
#UAarmy fellas got ⛔🦟🕯️ that were transferred to them by Svitlana.
Svitlana is a #volunteer whose main activity is sewing soft stretchers for transporting the wounded. Now she is looking for a new 🪡🤖. Maybe someone in #Odesa can gift her one in used but in good condition.
#UkrainianView
Svitlana is a #volunteer whose main activity is sewing soft stretchers for transporting the wounded. Now she is looking for a new 🪡🤖. Maybe someone in #Odesa can gift her one in used but in good condition.
#UkrainianView
May 30, 2025 at 1:18 AM
#UAarmy fellas got ⛔🦟🕯️ that were transferred to them by Svitlana.
Svitlana is a #volunteer whose main activity is sewing soft stretchers for transporting the wounded. Now she is looking for a new 🪡🤖. Maybe someone in #Odesa can gift her one in used but in good condition.
#UkrainianView
Svitlana is a #volunteer whose main activity is sewing soft stretchers for transporting the wounded. Now she is looking for a new 🪡🤖. Maybe someone in #Odesa can gift her one in used but in good condition.
#UkrainianView
Reposted by Anna Bowles
We are over the moon to share the 13 shortlist poets for the Poetry Wales Award 2024-25, sponsored by Literature Wales and judged by Jeremy Dixon.
You can read the full collection on our website: poetrywales.co.uk/poetry-wales...
Stay tuned for information about our online Awarding Ceremony.
You can read the full collection on our website: poetrywales.co.uk/poetry-wales...
Stay tuned for information about our online Awarding Ceremony.
May 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
We are over the moon to share the 13 shortlist poets for the Poetry Wales Award 2024-25, sponsored by Literature Wales and judged by Jeremy Dixon.
You can read the full collection on our website: poetrywales.co.uk/poetry-wales...
Stay tuned for information about our online Awarding Ceremony.
You can read the full collection on our website: poetrywales.co.uk/poetry-wales...
Stay tuned for information about our online Awarding Ceremony.
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Another remarkable insight into the work of volunteer groups on the ground in Ukraine, often in very dangerous zones, and the desperate need for more aid of kinds. annabowles.substack.com/p/operation-...
Operation Change
In six weeks in Dnipro/Kramatorsk I’ve hardly encountered any other Westerners, but there are a couple of impressive exceptions: one of them is the Swedish group Operation Change.
annabowles.substack.com
May 11, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Another remarkable insight into the work of volunteer groups on the ground in Ukraine, often in very dangerous zones, and the desperate need for more aid of kinds. annabowles.substack.com/p/operation-...
#ukraine, #reedsy The site where I find clients (and who are a genuinely wonderful organisation for all freelancers and authors in need of services) featured me on their blog. blog.reedsy.com/freelancer/w...
Working In a War Zone: How Reedsy Helps Me Freelance in Ukraine
Top children's book editor Anna Bowles shares how freelancing via Reedsy allows her to volunteer in Ukraine.
blog.reedsy.com
April 15, 2025 at 9:45 AM
#ukraine, #reedsy The site where I find clients (and who are a genuinely wonderful organisation for all freelancers and authors in need of services) featured me on their blog. blog.reedsy.com/freelancer/w...
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Nice little tale here from one of my followers, @annabowles.bsky.social, who's back in Ukraine.
As she admits herself, this was not really her "scene" but sounds amazing all the same.
annabowles.substack.com/p/undergroun...
As she admits herself, this was not really her "scene" but sounds amazing all the same.
annabowles.substack.com/p/undergroun...
Underground Rap
Literally. A megastar in a Kramatorsk school basement.
annabowles.substack.com
April 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Nice little tale here from one of my followers, @annabowles.bsky.social, who's back in Ukraine.
As she admits herself, this was not really her "scene" but sounds amazing all the same.
annabowles.substack.com/p/undergroun...
As she admits herself, this was not really her "scene" but sounds amazing all the same.
annabowles.substack.com/p/undergroun...
#Kramatorsk is under attack by shaheds right now. A few minutes ago one zoomed over my building and there were two explosions in - I think - the city centre.
April 9, 2025 at 5:27 PM
#Kramatorsk is under attack by shaheds right now. A few minutes ago one zoomed over my building and there were two explosions in - I think - the city centre.
Reposted by Anna Bowles
1/7. In case you haven’t been following, here is a short summary of the misnamed Russian-American "peace process" regarding Ukraine.
March 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
1/7. In case you haven’t been following, here is a short summary of the misnamed Russian-American "peace process" regarding Ukraine.
annabowles.substack.com/p/undergroun... #ukraine, #zaporizhzhia Schools in Ukraine are reopening underground, often with help from international donors.
Underground Schooling
Garne Mistse and Zherelo's new classrooms give Zaporizhzhia's children an education, whatever happens overhead.
annabowles.substack.com
March 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
annabowles.substack.com/p/undergroun... #ukraine, #zaporizhzhia Schools in Ukraine are reopening underground, often with help from international donors.
Remember Mariupol?
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
Remember Mariupol?
Can we please avoid a repeat?
open.substack.com
March 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Remember Mariupol?
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
open.substack.com/pub/annabowl...
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Raise The Bar | Poetry & Resistance Exhibition| Arnolfini, Bristol
22 March – 01 June 2025 | Free entry | A powerful exhibition featuring poetry of revolution, resistance and activism, showcasing the power of poetry to question authority, speak up for the oppressed, and call for radical change...
22 March – 01 June 2025 | Free entry | A powerful exhibition featuring poetry of revolution, resistance and activism, showcasing the power of poetry to question authority, speak up for the oppressed, and call for radical change...
March 17, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Raise The Bar | Poetry & Resistance Exhibition| Arnolfini, Bristol
22 March – 01 June 2025 | Free entry | A powerful exhibition featuring poetry of revolution, resistance and activism, showcasing the power of poetry to question authority, speak up for the oppressed, and call for radical change...
22 March – 01 June 2025 | Free entry | A powerful exhibition featuring poetry of revolution, resistance and activism, showcasing the power of poetry to question authority, speak up for the oppressed, and call for radical change...
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Most adequate NYT opinion piece
March 17, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Most adequate NYT opinion piece
Reposted by Anna Bowles
Also, true story
March 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Also, true story