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Anna Shelton

@annashelton.bsky.social

890 followers 570 following 140 posts

Mum of 3, teacher, writer, editor. My pamphlet was longlisted in the Disabled Poets Prize 2025. Poems in @AfterPoetry @PropelMagazine @Covenpoetry @streetcakemag @SidhePress Performed my song Black Fen Club Blues at the Cambridge Folk Festival.

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jan 28

Proud to say my pamphlet has been longlisted for the Disabled Poets Prize 2025.

My pamphlet has been longlisted in the top 12 unpublished pamphlets for the Disabled Poets Prize 2025.

Congratulations to the long and shortlisted writers for the 2025 Disabled Poets Prize.

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jul 13

I think this every time I see people running in this heat! 😂

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jul 13

What a night at the 50th anniversary of the Cambridge Poetry Festival!

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jul 9

Creative genius middle son spent the day in London practising graffiti stencil art. It reads, ‘To the future, You’re Welcome, from us.’ Love seeing his tag signature out in the world. ❤️🙌

Graffiti that says, ‘To the future, You’re welcome, from us,’ against a backdrop of colourful spray paint.

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jun 24

Looking forward to reading at tomorrow’s Wordsworth Grasmere open mic before the brilliant Erica Hesketh reads from her debut collection ‘In the Lily room’. #GoToThePoets wordsworth.org.uk/blog/events/...

'Go to the poets, they will speak to thee': Erica Hesketh - Wordsworth Grasmere

Curated and hosted by poet Kim Moore, our online contemporary poetry reading series continues throughout 2025. We will be listening...

wordsworth.org.uk

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jun 2

It’s safe to say we smashed it at last night’s CB1 poetry reading! A phenomenal evening sharing poems workshopped in our Cambridge Seminar group with Stav Poleg. Absolutely loved reading alongside my fabulous friends. 🙌👏😘

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · May 30

Delighted to be a Spotlighted Poet this Sunday at CB1 poetry alongside my fabulous Cambridge feedback group. Come along to watch or sign up for the open mic!

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · May 29

Brilliant evening at the Magma competition Reading last night. Popped to the poetry library to read Grassroots issue first, filled with stunning poems, like this one by Lianne O Hara. 💔

A photo of a selection of poetry journals in front of the rainbow coloured stacks at the poetry library in the south bank.

A photo of Lianne O Hara’s poem ‘ helpline’

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · May 18

Hilarious evening catching up with the fabulous Laurie Bolger & Harry Baker. Haven’t laughed that much since I last saw Harry. These two ought to be available on prescription. Like a comedy-poetry pill. My HRT does a great job, but an evening with Harry & Laurie fills your poetry soul. ❤️😘🙌

Laurie and Anna grinning together behind Laurie’s book signing desk.

Laurie Bolger reading at the Cambridge Junction

Harry Baker reading at the Cambridge Junction

Laurie and Anna grinning with thumbs up behind all Laurie’s books at the book signing.

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Apr 26

Wonderful to meet @pascalepetit.bsky.social this week at Cam Lit Fest. I’m still processing the brilliant discussion that followed a phenomenal set of readings from Pascale and Gwyneth. 👌🙌👏👏👏❤️

A photo of Pascale Petit in her beautiful orange embroidered shirt over a red dress, with Anna Shelton in a green dress, at Newnham College.

Pascale Petit reading from her book Beast

Pascale Petit and Gwyneth Lewis in conversation with Dame Gillian Beer.

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Apr 9

Happy Birthday tidings! 🥳❤️I hear you on avoiding social media while we can, I do this too. The FOMO is bad but my mental health is better. 👏

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Mar 20

Made it into the garden for the sunny Spring equinox. Began this mesmerising book by @pascalepetit.bsky.social read every snatched second this afternoon, carried it in my hand -my thumb as bookmark- during the school run. Literally couldn’t put it down. Absolutely stunning. #BrokenLegBookClub

A photo of Pascale Petit’s book ‘My Hummingbird Father’ held by Anna Shelton next to her crutch.

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Mar 19

He was ❤️

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Mar 18

Before he died, my elderly Dad completed the form for a relative with severe needs who can’t cook, can’t use a phone independently etc. It was 42 pages long. It was gruelling for him and he had a PhD! How anyone thinks it’s a breeze is beyond me.

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Reposted by Anna Shelton

BookwormVaught - Dr Anna Vaught @bookwormvaught.bsky.social · Mar 18

Projected Government cuts, particularly to PIP. One thing not even seen mentioned by them: it will drive up the number of unpaid carers, remove people from the workforce and place strain on resources because long-term unpaid care is intersectional with poor health and with poverty. And on PIP -

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Mar 18

So close to my aim of raising £1000 in tribute to my wonderful brother-in-law Martin for his chosen charity @pancreaticcanuk.bsky.social Please donate in his memory if you can. Thank you. www.justgiving.com/page/martin-...

Martin’s Legacy for Pancreatic Cancer UK

Help Anna Shelton raise money to support Pancreatic Cancer UK

www.justgiving.com

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Mar 4

You too Carrie! 😘

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Mar 3

My favourite moment of the night! ❤️

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Mar 3

Wow, what an evening! CB1 Poetry with the inspirational @carrieetter.bsky.social ❤️ Such a moving performance thanks Carrie! My first time reading at an Open Mic in my home town. Loved it.❤️

A photo of Carrie Etter and Anna Shelton smiling together.

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Feb 26

Really looking forward to hearing the wonderful @ruthpadel.bsky.social
read from her brilliant collection ‘Girl’ this evening. Us open miccers will be reading poems of girlhood too. #GoToThePoets ❤️
Book tickets here: www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...

Go to the poets, they will speak to thee. Ruth Padel reads tonight at Wordsworth Grasmere on zoom. Book tickets here.

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Feb 23

We laid him to rest next to Dad, in a grove of Birch trees. The drizzle stopped as the final poem was read and the sun came out. Yesterday I returned to larks singing a hymn above him. Goodbye Martin.❤️

The name Martin made out of spring flowers, laid on a grave, in sunshine.

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Feb 13

One day at a time. 💔 #grief

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jan 28

Thank you so much Evie 😘

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jan 28

Thanks very much S! ❤️

Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jan 28

Proud to say my pamphlet has been longlisted for the Disabled Poets Prize 2025.

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Anna Shelton @annashelton.bsky.social · Jan 26

Thank you very much John. ❤️