Sarah James/Leavesley
@sarahleavesley.bsky.social
Prize-winning poet, fiction writer, journalist and photographer. Author of 9 poetry titles, 2 novellas & a poetry-play. More at http://sarah-james.co.uk. Also, editor at V. Press, award-winning poetry & flash fiction. (Profile pic by Gary Carr.)
Pinned
Poetry winners 2024-
First: Sarah James, ‘Let sleeping peaches lie’
Second: Rachel Curzon, ‘Winter in Dinan’
Third: Nicola Warwick, ‘What of the end, Pandora’
Poet-in-Residence commendation: HLR, ‘I take all of my lovers to Highgate Cemetery’
Chair commendation: Nicola Warwick, ‘Briar Rose’
First: Sarah James, ‘Let sleeping peaches lie’
Second: Rachel Curzon, ‘Winter in Dinan’
Third: Nicola Warwick, ‘What of the end, Pandora’
Poet-in-Residence commendation: HLR, ‘I take all of my lovers to Highgate Cemetery’
Chair commendation: Nicola Warwick, ‘Briar Rose’
Delighted to share this news about my Flaming June inspired poem! Big thanks to the judges & @preraphaelitesociety.bsky.social & congratulations to all the winners. 🎉🎉🎉 My poem continues the Pre-Raphaelite theme of my collection Darling Blue, out with @indigodreamspub.bsky.social later this year.
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
December 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
I've long admired Sarah James's poetry, and since she has been my publisher, Sarah has become a friend as well. A privilege, then, to endorse Sarah's innovative and beautiful new collection, Darling Blue – and wonderful to see @serena-t.bsky.social's appreciative review in the new PRS Review! 💙⚡️🩵
December 7, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I've long admired Sarah James's poetry, and since she has been my publisher, Sarah has become a friend as well. A privilege, then, to endorse Sarah's innovative and beautiful new collection, Darling Blue – and wonderful to see @serena-t.bsky.social's appreciative review in the new PRS Review! 💙⚡️🩵
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
For the fifth day of our #ArtistAdventCalendar, Edward Burne-Jones’ ‘The Summer Snow’, c.1863, @royalacademy.bsky.social.
This wood engraving appeared in the May, 1863 issue of the magazine ‘Good Words’ to illustrate a poem called ‘Summer Snow’:
…
This wood engraving appeared in the May, 1863 issue of the magazine ‘Good Words’ to illustrate a poem called ‘Summer Snow’:
…
December 5, 2025 at 8:25 AM
For the fifth day of our #ArtistAdventCalendar, Edward Burne-Jones’ ‘The Summer Snow’, c.1863, @royalacademy.bsky.social.
This wood engraving appeared in the May, 1863 issue of the magazine ‘Good Words’ to illustrate a poem called ‘Summer Snow’:
…
This wood engraving appeared in the May, 1863 issue of the magazine ‘Good Words’ to illustrate a poem called ‘Summer Snow’:
…
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
A wonderful surprise to see that, due to recent interest and demand, my @vpresslit.bsky.social pamphlet '(m)othersongs' has just gone to a fourth print run – two years after publication! Get 'em while they're hot... ❤️🔥🍂❤️🔥
V. v. excited to have another new print run of @poetsarahdoyle.bsky.social’s beautiful (m)othersongs in time for Christmas -- It’s rare to do a new run 2 years after publication & this may well be the last, so get a copy while you still can! vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/mothersong...
December 5, 2025 at 9:55 AM
A wonderful surprise to see that, due to recent interest and demand, my @vpresslit.bsky.social pamphlet '(m)othersongs' has just gone to a fourth print run – two years after publication! Get 'em while they're hot... ❤️🔥🍂❤️🔥
Seasonal greetings, lovely news & micro-reviews!!!
sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=7
@heatherwastie.bsky.social
@drruthstacey.bsky.social
@jirobb.bsky.social
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=7
@heatherwastie.bsky.social
@drruthstacey.bsky.social
@jirobb.bsky.social
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
December 7, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Seasonal greetings, lovely news & micro-reviews!!!
sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=7
@heatherwastie.bsky.social
@drruthstacey.bsky.social
@jirobb.bsky.social
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=7
@heatherwastie.bsky.social
@drruthstacey.bsky.social
@jirobb.bsky.social
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
“[...] James’s finely crafted and intelligently controlled poems brim with vivid imagery and lush sensory detail, reminding the reader ‘how brightly sunlight shines through // when freed from a cracked mirror’.” TY @poetsarahdoyle.bsky.social
https://indigodreamspublishing.com
https://indigodreamspublishing.com
December 7, 2025 at 8:19 AM
“[...] James’s finely crafted and intelligently controlled poems brim with vivid imagery and lush sensory detail, reminding the reader ‘how brightly sunlight shines through // when freed from a cracked mirror’.” TY @poetsarahdoyle.bsky.social
https://indigodreamspublishing.com
https://indigodreamspublishing.com
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
The very very warmest of Seasonal Greetings & thanks to all our readers, writers and supporters, plus news of our final anniversary-year celebration!!!
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/2025/12/seas...
@jennyhope.bsky.social
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/2025/12/seas...
@jennyhope.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 9:39 AM
The very very warmest of Seasonal Greetings & thanks to all our readers, writers and supporters, plus news of our final anniversary-year celebration!!!
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/2025/12/seas...
@jennyhope.bsky.social
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/2025/12/seas...
@jennyhope.bsky.social
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
V. v. excited to have another new print run of @poetsarahdoyle.bsky.social’s beautiful (m)othersongs in time for Christmas -- It’s rare to do a new run 2 years after publication & this may well be the last, so get a copy while you still can! vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/mothersong...
December 5, 2025 at 9:34 AM
V. v. excited to have another new print run of @poetsarahdoyle.bsky.social’s beautiful (m)othersongs in time for Christmas -- It’s rare to do a new run 2 years after publication & this may well be the last, so get a copy while you still can! vpresspoetry.blogspot.com/p/mothersong...
"The fictional narrative is compelling while the ekphrastic poems dazzle [...]"
Big thanks to The Lake and reviewer David Mark Williams for his wonderful and detailed review of Darling Blue: https://www.thelakepoetry.co.uk/reviews/dec25/
Big thanks to The Lake and reviewer David Mark Williams for his wonderful and detailed review of Darling Blue: https://www.thelakepoetry.co.uk/reviews/dec25/
December 1, 2025 at 7:18 PM
"The fictional narrative is compelling while the ekphrastic poems dazzle [...]"
Big thanks to The Lake and reviewer David Mark Williams for his wonderful and detailed review of Darling Blue: https://www.thelakepoetry.co.uk/reviews/dec25/
Big thanks to The Lake and reviewer David Mark Williams for his wonderful and detailed review of Darling Blue: https://www.thelakepoetry.co.uk/reviews/dec25/
“A man known without knowing his kin
is more than partly still a stranger.
I only have a fraction of your smiles,
not those you were born with, or return
home to. […]”
Sarah James, Darling Blue
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
is more than partly still a stranger.
I only have a fraction of your smiles,
not those you were born with, or return
home to. […]”
Sarah James, Darling Blue
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
November 30, 2025 at 8:41 AM
“A man known without knowing his kin
is more than partly still a stranger.
I only have a fraction of your smiles,
not those you were born with, or return
home to. […]”
Sarah James, Darling Blue
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
is more than partly still a stranger.
I only have a fraction of your smiles,
not those you were born with, or return
home to. […]”
Sarah James, Darling Blue
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
10 Years of publications -- celebrating 2025!
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com
@laurabesley.bsky.social
& more!
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com
@laurabesley.bsky.social
& more!
November 28, 2025 at 4:26 PM
10 Years of publications -- celebrating 2025!
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com
@laurabesley.bsky.social
& more!
vpresspoetry.blogspot.com
@laurabesley.bsky.social
& more!
“Merlin's eyes marble. His arm droops
as his scarf and tunic tighten, their dark green
taking on a deeper blue than he’s ever seen;”
Sarah James, from Darling Blue (Indigo Dreams)
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
#IndigoPoets
as his scarf and tunic tighten, their dark green
taking on a deeper blue than he’s ever seen;”
Sarah James, from Darling Blue (Indigo Dreams)
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
#IndigoPoets
November 23, 2025 at 9:01 AM
“Merlin's eyes marble. His arm droops
as his scarf and tunic tighten, their dark green
taking on a deeper blue than he’s ever seen;”
Sarah James, from Darling Blue (Indigo Dreams)
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
#IndigoPoets
as his scarf and tunic tighten, their dark green
taking on a deeper blue than he’s ever seen;”
Sarah James, from Darling Blue (Indigo Dreams)
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
#IndigoPoets
JOIN US for the FREE launch of Darling Blue with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets at Droitwich Library TODAY Sat, 22 Nov 2025
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
November 22, 2025 at 8:29 AM
JOIN US for the FREE launch of Darling Blue with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets at Droitwich Library TODAY Sat, 22 Nov 2025
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
JOIN US for the FREE launch of Darling Blue with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets at Droitwich Library on Sat, 22 Nov 2025
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
November 21, 2025 at 7:12 PM
JOIN US for the FREE launch of Darling Blue with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets at Droitwich Library on Sat, 22 Nov 2025
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
Super excited my poem 'Hand to mouth' and story 'The Knife Sharpener of Alzira' have been shortlisted for the 'Walking In The Dark' comp by @walklistencreate.org judged by @marcellenewbold.bsky.social and Damaris West for poetry, @chantallyons.bsky.social and Matthew Beaumont for prose
Whoop 🥳
Whoop 🥳
November 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Super excited my poem 'Hand to mouth' and story 'The Knife Sharpener of Alzira' have been shortlisted for the 'Walking In The Dark' comp by @walklistencreate.org judged by @marcellenewbold.bsky.social and Damaris West for poetry, @chantallyons.bsky.social and Matthew Beaumont for prose
Whoop 🥳
Whoop 🥳
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
Congratulations and good luck to other short-listed authors: @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social @erinbondo.com @elizafevwrites.bsky.social @eleanorholmes.bsky.social @sarahleavesley.bsky.social l @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social @lauratheis.bsky.social Krista Carson, Isabella Mead Husain, Emily Wilkinson
November 20, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Congratulations and good luck to other short-listed authors: @thepaulconnolly.bsky.social @erinbondo.com @elizafevwrites.bsky.social @eleanorholmes.bsky.social @sarahleavesley.bsky.social l @rosaleenlynch.bsky.social @lauratheis.bsky.social Krista Carson, Isabella Mead Husain, Emily Wilkinson
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
Thrilled to be SHORTLISTED for @walklistencreate.org's WALKING IN THE DARK competition supporting the great 'Women Walking, the City, at Night' cause. My thanks to judges @marcellenewbold.bsky.social & Damaris West. Shortlist below. My poem Devon Gothic in the thread #poetrycommunity #poetsonbluesky
November 20, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Thrilled to be SHORTLISTED for @walklistencreate.org's WALKING IN THE DARK competition supporting the great 'Women Walking, the City, at Night' cause. My thanks to judges @marcellenewbold.bsky.social & Damaris West. Shortlist below. My poem Devon Gothic in the thread #poetrycommunity #poetsonbluesky
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
Long list of our #Walking #InTheDark competition announced - terrific poems and stories beautifully penned - read them here wlc.zone/ark
November 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Long list of our #Walking #InTheDark competition announced - terrific poems and stories beautifully penned - read them here wlc.zone/ark
Liked or disliked, that is the question: writing vulnerabilities, nature as a perspective-giver & creating personal paths through
https://open.substack.com/pub/moresarah/p/liked-or-disliked-that-is-the-question?r=7ajma&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
https://open.substack.com/pub/moresarah/p/liked-or-disliked-that-is-the-question?r=7ajma&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
November 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Liked or disliked, that is the question: writing vulnerabilities, nature as a perspective-giver & creating personal paths through
https://open.substack.com/pub/moresarah/p/liked-or-disliked-that-is-the-question?r=7ajma&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
https://open.substack.com/pub/moresarah/p/liked-or-disliked-that-is-the-question?r=7ajma&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Absolutely delighted to hear that The art of cutting and stitching has been shortlisted for the Ink Sweat & Tears 'Pick of the Month' for October 2025. I find voting things slightly awkward. But do check out the shortlist and enjoy all the poems, then vote if you feel so inclined.
November 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Absolutely delighted to hear that The art of cutting and stitching has been shortlisted for the Ink Sweat & Tears 'Pick of the Month' for October 2025. I find voting things slightly awkward. But do check out the shortlist and enjoy all the poems, then vote if you feel so inclined.
“I could fall in love with her youth and beauty,
have fallen into the daydream of her gaze –
her eyes are warm wood which could be
kindled to flame, but not a votive candle.”
Sarah James, Darling Blue
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
have fallen into the daydream of her gaze –
her eyes are warm wood which could be
kindled to flame, but not a votive candle.”
Sarah James, Darling Blue
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
November 16, 2025 at 8:34 AM
“I could fall in love with her youth and beauty,
have fallen into the daydream of her gaze –
her eyes are warm wood which could be
kindled to flame, but not a votive candle.”
Sarah James, Darling Blue
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
have fallen into the daydream of her gaze –
her eyes are warm wood which could be
kindled to flame, but not a votive candle.”
Sarah James, Darling Blue
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
JOIN US for the FREE launch of Darling Blue with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets at Droitwich Library on Sat, 22 Nov 2025
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
Darling Blue launch with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets
Join us for the exciting launch of Darling Blue with special guest poets from the Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza!
www.eventbrite.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:27 AM
JOIN US for the FREE launch of Darling Blue with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets at Droitwich Library on Sat, 22 Nov 2025
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
JOIN US for the FREE launch of Darling Blue with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets at Droitwich Library on Sat, 22 Nov 2025
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
Darling Blue launch with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets
Join us for the exciting launch of Darling Blue with special guest poets from the Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza!
www.eventbrite.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:26 PM
JOIN US for the FREE launch of Darling Blue with Worcestershire Poetry Society Stanza Guest Poets at Droitwich Library on Sat, 22 Nov 2025
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/darling-blue-launch-with-worcestershire-poetry-society-stanza-guest-poets-tickets-1832358707219?aff=oddtdtcreator
#poetry fun
Reposted by Sarah James/Leavesley
Looking forward, as always, to teaching for The Poetry Business on January 5th:
buytickets.at/thepoetrybus...
buytickets.at/thepoetrybus...
Buy tickets – Online Workshop: “Akemashite Omedetou! New Year Haiku & more” with Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana – Zoom
Online Workshop: “Akemashite Omedetou! New Year Haiku & more” with Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana – Zoom, Mon 5 Jan 2026 - Akemashite Omedetou!
New Year Haiku & more
This Japan-themed workshop will ge...
buytickets.at
November 5, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Looking forward, as always, to teaching for The Poetry Business on January 5th:
buytickets.at/thepoetrybus...
buytickets.at/thepoetrybus...