Val Harris - Poet
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valpoet.bsky.social
Val Harris - Poet
@valpoet.bsky.social
800 followers 520 following 49 posts
Children’s poet published in The Toy Press, Paperbound Mag, Little Thoughts Press, Caterpillar and lots on the Dirigible Balloon.
A CLASSROOM OF STARS first collection
Website - www.valharrispoet.co.uk
(Also writes poetry for grownups - same name 📕)
Posts Replies Media Videos
valpoet.bsky.social
What a beautiful poem
kaymedway.bsky.social Kay Medway @kaymedway.bsky.social · 2d
I opened a book,
and a shiny glass comb
slipped from a mother’s drawer.

youtu.be/5VikuPLboAM?...

#workshop

#poem #poetry
I opened a book, and a shiny glass comb slipped from a mother’s drawer. The only time my mother did not worry about the hair of daughters was in the happy endings of fairy tales, hair washed in haunting rivers, river pearls braided in the strands, fish like silver, fish like jewels, swimming through chestnut waves, like firelights dancing, candles glowing gently, shadows gathering across the riverbeds, candle flames flickering in pauses. They remember stories and sweep away the dust of days. “Then everything will be well with silk-spun hair,” said the jewels, their voices echoing softly like ghosts in a hallway. Even a rose tiara does not tremble on a princess’s hair, no matter what she must overcome. And one daughter ran away. Running and running and running away. She ran away in a baker boy cap and a red beret, berry‑red and bright. The beret giggled with a shadow friend, the baker boy cap looked up and thought. Hair of shining black, hair that spins until we are old, hair folded at the neck, hair like bronze pages in a storybook. Hair with a mother still shines, glimmering in candlelight, spooky and bright. I opened a book, and a shiny glass comb slipped from a mother’s drawer. The only time my mother did not worry about the hair of daughters was in the happy endings of fairy tales, hair washed in haunting rivers, river pearls braided in the strands, fish like silver, fish like jewels, swimming through chestnut waves, like firelights dancing, candles glowing gently, shadows gathering across the riverbeds, candle flames flickering in pauses. They remember stories and sweep away the dust of days. “Then everything will be well with silk-spun hair,” said the jewels, their voices echoing softly like ghosts in a hallway. Even a rose tiara does not tremble on a princess’s hair, no matter what she must overcome. And one daughter ran away. Running and running and running away. She ran away in a baker boy cap and a red beret, berry‑red and bright. The beret giggled with a shadow friend, the baker boy cap looked up and thought. Hair of shining black, hair that spins until we are old, hair folded at the neck, hair like bronze pages in a storybook. Hair with a mother still shines, glimmering in candlelight, spooky and bright.
December 3, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
louiestowell.bsky.social
If you're a writer, publisher, bookseller, booklover...this is a piece you should read.
December 3, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
coralrumble.bsky.social
A.I.M. High day today. I love that children from a number of schools will have time and space to write. Thank you @authorsabroad.bsky.social
December 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
carmellapoetry.bsky.social
Paul, thank you for your sincere passion for poetry and all you do for the #poetrycommunity -am so thrilled to have my wee book on #TheBookBag Christmas list.
💚✨🙏🏻🎄
November 30, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
carmellapoetry.bsky.social
Excited to reveal that PRE-ORDERS for 🌜'THE LIMINAL LIGHT OF THE NIGHT'🌛 are OPEN! 💙 Special thank you to MARK DAVIDSON @hedgehogpress.co.uk for everything...🤍 & to MIRJANA MIRIC, Creator of @suburbanwitchlit.bsky.social & Dr TANJA GOLDBERG PhD 💙 for their time and for their thoughtful reviews...🫶🏻
hedgehogpress.co.uk Hedgehog Poetry Press @hedgehogpress.co.uk · Dec 23
PRE-ORDERS ARE OPEN: “The Liminal Light of the Night” – Carmella de Keyser

Well, what can I say, apart from
OMG this is a wee stunner from @carmellapoetry and
that you can ONLY buy
Signed
First Run
First Edition
copies
direct from the lady herself...

PRE-ORDERS ARE OPEN: “The Liminal Light of the Night” – Carmella de Keyser
Well, I am more than rather chuffed to be able to announce that Pre-Orders Are Open for Carmella de Keyser’s astonishingly fine debut collection, featuring artwork from Vanya Milanova and som…
buff.ly
December 23, 2024 at 9:48 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
littlethoughtspress.com
We are here for helter-skelter leaves and bouncing, boppy poems!

Helter-Skelter by @valpoet.bsky.social, accompanied by artwork by Imogen Hartland is part of Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words, available now in print & pdf.

www.littlethoughtspress.com/issues
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words featuring the poem Helter-Skelter by Val Harris. The poem is accompanied by an illustration from Imogen Hartland of colorful leaves scattered across the page.
October 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
valpoet.bsky.social
Thrilled to see that, along with Nia Broomhall, Poet in Residence @Painshill Painshill Park in Cobham, Surrey, our poems for children are being featured on a new Fairy Door Trail for the winter, from 28th November. I cannot wait to see it! ❄️❄️🐾🍄🦔🐿️👀🧚‍♂️🧚‍♀️
November 7, 2025 at 8:48 AM
valpoet.bsky.social
Thank you @littlethoughtspress.com for publishing my poems in your ##StirringWords edition of your fab magazine amongst so many wonderful poems and short stories 😍
September 6, 2025 at 9:06 AM
valpoet.bsky.social
@thetoypress.bsky.social
July 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM
valpoet.bsky.social
Very excited to have a poem in this lovely new edition! Thank you @littlethoughtspress.com
littlethoughtspress.com Little Thoughts Press @littlethoughtspress.com · Jul 30
Theme & submission info for Issue 12 is coming later next week, but if you want to get an early peek, subscribe to our (free!) newsletter. A new one is going out tomorrow and will include a little something about our upcoming theme!

littlethoughtspress.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Little Thoughts Press
Kid-Lit Publication News & Reading Recommendations from Little Thoughts Press
littlethoughtspress.beehiiv.com
July 31, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
nealzetterpoet.bsky.social
I'm thrilled to have 3 poems in this fab online book. All proceeds from sales fund Compassiviste Foundation's work to create a more equitable + sustainable future for all

#poem #poems #LibrarySky #EduSky #BookSky #poetry #TeacherSky #poetrylovers #PoetrySky
‪@fhpowellwriter.bsky.social‬
July 15, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
maryearnshaw.bsky.social
People: vaccines save lives. Lies take lives.
July 13, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
brianmosespoet.bsky.social
Daily poetry prompt: Write a poem that doesn't rhyme but uses a repetitive pattern to build up a rhythm.
Try it with different subjects - this dog, this pen, this tree, this bike, this guitar, this key.....
Examples here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2019/11/this...
Welcome to the Ssssssnake Hotel
This Car This car has been driven into walls and into sunsets. It has slipped down mountain tracks, almost ending up on its bac...
brian-moses.blogspot.com
July 14, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
brianmosespoet.bsky.social
Daily poetry prompt: Do you have an imaginary friend?

She was always there,
watching me as I slept.
Memories of her baggy jumper,
the hug she once gave me.
As real as a person but as distant
as a star.

More here: brian-moses.blogspot.com/2012/07/imag...
IMAGINARY FRIENDS
The Girl in the Red Jumper She was always there, watching me as I slept. Memories of her baggy jumper, the hug she once gav...
brian-moses.blogspot.com
July 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
valpoet.bsky.social
@littlethoughtspress.com thank you so much for accepting my poem for your Stirring Words issue. Delighted to be among such lovely poets!
July 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
valpoet.bsky.social
A wonderful week of #poetry
An acceptance from The Toy Press- a Workshop with Nia Broomhall Poet in Residence at Painshill Park, and recorded poem for the poetry trail. An Open Mic at West End Centre, hosted by Nia, and today I delivered another workshop to some wonderful care home residents.
June 27, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
lisajallen.bsky.social
Christmas #kidlituk poetry from the fabulous @attielime.bsky.social?? Yes, please! ☃️
tinytreebooks.bsky.social Tiny Tree Books 📕 @tinytreebooks.bsky.social · Jun 1
ICYMI: We're publishing a brand new festive poetry collection by the wonderful @AttieLime 🎄📚

'A Welly Full of Christmas' is coming just in time for Christmas. Find out more 👇
tinytreebooks.com/2025/05/23/t...
Tiny Tree Acquires Festive Poetry Collection from Attie Lime -
Tiny Tree Books has acquired a festive poetry collection from children's poet Attie Lime.
tinytreebooks.com
June 2, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
attielime.bsky.social
Yesterday I confirmed another 2026 school visit & 3/5 days in #NationalPoetryDay week 2025 are already booked. Plenty of in-between dates available but don't dilly-dally! Fun, imaginative visits, bringing the joy of poetry to Nursery - Year 6 🤩 #readingforpleasure #poetry #kidlituk #eduskyuk
June 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
cpsummit.bsky.social
Attie Lime: Finding Your Voice childrenspoetrysummit.com/2025/06/12/a...
Attie Lime: Finding Your Voice
We’re told to read lots to write better. Children’s poetry books are my go-to when I’m stuck in a writing rut. But we’re also expected to write with originality and freshness, and…
childrenspoetrysummit.com
June 12, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
attielime.bsky.social
Way too much of this going on in my house at the mo! 'The Chat' from Blue Jelly and Strawberries, published by @otterbarrybooks.bsky.social. Buying a wobbly blue and yellow book would be a great way to support your favourite indie bookshop during #independentbookshopweek 🍓 (Signed copies from me 😊)
The Chat I haven't. I didn't. I won't! I never do. Never. I don't! It wasn't. It hasn't. I couldn't. I never. I did NOT. I wouldn't. Not me. No, not me. What? You saw me? Oh. Oh, dear me. Well, then, Maybe. Blue Jelly and Strawberries by Attie Lime illustrated by Kate Sheppard published by Otter-Barry Books
June 17, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
lozzawriting.bsky.social
We @frazzledlit.bsky.social are open for our summer competition the Frazzled Lit Short Story Award.

Check the OP for details!
jmcm.bsky.social Jennifer McMahon @jmcm.bsky.social · Jun 20
One and a half weeks to go, to get your submissions in for the @frazzledlit.bsky.social Short Story Award, judged by Nuala O'Connor @nualaoconnor.bsky.social.

First prize is €1,000, second is €500 and third is €300.

Closes on June 30th!

www.frazzledlit.com/p/ready-to-s...
Ready to submit? Here's the link...
Everything you need to know is right here...
www.frazzledlit.com
June 20, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
beautifulsausage.bsky.social
The poetry of Neal Zetter
June 23, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Reposted by Val Harris - Poet
frazzledlit.bsky.social
ICYMI @paulwritespoems.bsky.social put our Loz's book, Motherbunnet, in his esteemed Book Bag and delivered some news from some brilliant fellow mags and presses. 👇🏼👇🏼

We have our Short Story Award coming up. Opens on 1st June - 30th, judge Nuala O'Connor! @NualaNiC.

Details: frazzledlit.com
paulwritespoems.bsky.social Paul @paulwritespoems.bsky.social · May 4
This week in The Book Bag 📚💼

Motherbunnet by @lozzawriting.bsky.social,

News featuring
@frazzledlit.bsky.social @blackboughpoetry.bsky.social
@rfredekenter.bsky.social
@brokenspinearts.bsky.social
paulwritespoems.bsky.social Paul @paulwritespoems.bsky.social · May 4
The Book Bag has landed. This week featuring Motherbunnet by Laura Cooney, a pamphlet that is honest, sincere and fun.

What are you waiting for? Take a few minutes for you while reading my thoughts.

Also plenty news to read, features to see and submission opportunities.

#poetrycommunity
May 7, 2025 at 8:53 AM
valpoet.bsky.social
She really is a wonderful and generous poet
sueimnw.bsky.social Sue Ibrahim @sueimnw.bsky.social · Apr 28
For #lifttothesky this week, I want to highlight the work of Julie Stevens - a remarkable, generous poet. Please do check out her website.
jumpingjulespoetry.bsky.social Jumping Jules Poetry @jumpingjulespoetry.bsky.social · Apr 26
From my poem Refuel in Journey Through the Fire. Thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered Forest Girl. All proceeds to the Multiple Sclerosis Trust again. There’s a special bundle on my website for both books if you’re interested. Some flowers too 🌷🙂 www.jumpingjulespoetry.com/book-shop
April 28, 2025 at 8:01 AM