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.)
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
"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
“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
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
“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
“I don’t know who I am at this moment, nor the man
at my side. Suspended here like an exclamation mark
that doesn’t have to fall towards a full stop, I curve into
the wild escape[...]”
Sarah James
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
at my side. Suspended here like an exclamation mark
that doesn’t have to fall towards a full stop, I curve into
the wild escape[...]”
Sarah James
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
November 9, 2025 at 8:50 AM
“I don’t know who I am at this moment, nor the man
at my side. Suspended here like an exclamation mark
that doesn’t have to fall towards a full stop, I curve into
the wild escape[...]”
Sarah James
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
at my side. Suspended here like an exclamation mark
that doesn’t have to fall towards a full stop, I curve into
the wild escape[...]”
Sarah James
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
A big plus of having a new book/anthology published: doing book swaps & enjoying fellow contributors’ poems!
@drruthstacey.bsky.social
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
@yaffles-nest.bsky.social
@jirobb.bsky.social
#indigopoets
@drruthstacey.bsky.social
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
@yaffles-nest.bsky.social
@jirobb.bsky.social
#indigopoets
November 8, 2025 at 8:20 AM
A big plus of having a new book/anthology published: doing book swaps & enjoying fellow contributors’ poems!
@drruthstacey.bsky.social
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
@yaffles-nest.bsky.social
@jirobb.bsky.social
#indigopoets
@drruthstacey.bsky.social
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
@yaffles-nest.bsky.social
@jirobb.bsky.social
#indigopoets
Big news, poetry, film, thanks & fun stuff…
https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=7
https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=7
November 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Big news, poetry, film, thanks & fun stuff…
https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=7
https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=7
“Three days is too long
to go unanswered,
and yet still I hang around
for your call.”
Sarah James, from Darling Blue (Indigo Dreams)
IDP: https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james
Or https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
#IndigoPoets
With thanks to Dawn and Ronnie at Indigo Dreams
to go unanswered,
and yet still I hang around
for your call.”
Sarah James, from Darling Blue (Indigo Dreams)
IDP: https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james
Or https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
#IndigoPoets
With thanks to Dawn and Ronnie at Indigo Dreams
November 2, 2025 at 8:30 AM
“Three days is too long
to go unanswered,
and yet still I hang around
for your call.”
Sarah James, from Darling Blue (Indigo Dreams)
IDP: https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james
Or https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
#IndigoPoets
With thanks to Dawn and Ronnie at Indigo Dreams
to go unanswered,
and yet still I hang around
for your call.”
Sarah James, from Darling Blue (Indigo Dreams)
IDP: https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james
Or https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
#IndigoPoets
With thanks to Dawn and Ronnie at Indigo Dreams
Excited to share Darling Blue & my unboxing video! Would love to see you at my free local launch on 22 November & to get more readings lined up. If anyone’s looking for a guest poet, would like to review Darling Blue or do a book swap, please DM me. Links below.
#poetry #books
#poetry #books
October 29, 2025 at 8:19 AM
“James uses the lyric and ekphrasis to create a profound and moving collection on the cost of love; what endures and how we survive its wake.[...]An unmissable collection.” TY @lukekennard.bsky.social
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
October 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
“James uses the lyric and ekphrasis to create a profound and moving collection on the cost of love; what endures and how we survive its wake.[...]An unmissable collection.” TY @lukekennard.bsky.social
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james / https://www.sarah-james.co.uk/?page_id=17191
Making a review – Sarah style! Plus reading/reviewing as creating new art...
https://moresarah.substack.com/p/making-a-review-sarah-style
https://moresarah.substack.com/p/making-a-review-sarah-style
October 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Making a review – Sarah style! Plus reading/reviewing as creating new art...
https://moresarah.substack.com/p/making-a-review-sarah-style
https://moresarah.substack.com/p/making-a-review-sarah-style
Setting out what's on offer. A small archive of resources already. A free longer piece to come as a sample, probably next week. open.substack.com/pub/moresara...
October 12, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Setting out what's on offer. A small archive of resources already. A free longer piece to come as a sample, probably next week. open.substack.com/pub/moresara...
One thing we all need but most of us can't get enough of _______
moresarah.substack.com/p/what-and-w...
moresarah.substack.com/p/what-and-w...
October 5, 2025 at 7:05 AM
One thing we all need but most of us can't get enough of _______
moresarah.substack.com/p/what-and-w...
moresarah.substack.com/p/what-and-w...
A hectic but lovely week – new Substack ‘reedlike: whispering through wind & water’ at https://moresarah.substack.com/ & pre-orders open at https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james for my new collection Darling Blue!!! DM or email me for reviews, readings, book swaps etc.
September 14, 2025 at 7:56 AM
A hectic but lovely week – new Substack ‘reedlike: whispering through wind & water’ at https://moresarah.substack.com/ & pre-orders open at https://indigodreamspublishing.com/sarah-james for my new collection Darling Blue!!! DM or email me for reviews, readings, book swaps etc.
A free new post on my Substack -- reedlike whispering through water & wind — a poetryfilm, experimental poem & prompt!
substack.com/@moresarah
Please take a look and consider subscribing. Thank you!
substack.com/@moresarah
Please take a look and consider subscribing. Thank you!
September 7, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A free new post on my Substack -- reedlike whispering through water & wind — a poetryfilm, experimental poem & prompt!
substack.com/@moresarah
Please take a look and consider subscribing. Thank you!
substack.com/@moresarah
Please take a look and consider subscribing. Thank you!
A new blogpost: poetry, poetryfilm, events & other news!
www.sarah-james.co.uk?page_id=7
www.sarah-james.co.uk?page_id=7
August 31, 2025 at 8:15 AM
A new blogpost: poetry, poetryfilm, events & other news!
www.sarah-james.co.uk?page_id=7
www.sarah-james.co.uk?page_id=7
Packing for a week in Durham for elder son & his fiancée’s graduations!!! Hoping I’ll also get time to sit down with these beauties! (With thanks to Fig Tree and Confluence for contributor copies of the top two.)
@timfellows.bsky.social @jonathancape.bsky.social brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
@timfellows.bsky.social @jonathancape.bsky.social brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
June 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Packing for a week in Durham for elder son & his fiancée’s graduations!!! Hoping I’ll also get time to sit down with these beauties! (With thanks to Fig Tree and Confluence for contributor copies of the top two.)
@timfellows.bsky.social @jonathancape.bsky.social brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
@timfellows.bsky.social @jonathancape.bsky.social brokensleepbooks.bsky.social
A great writing/reading week: Droitwich Writers’ Circle, Wirral Poetry Festival workshop and now lovely mother’s day reading!!!
@faberbooks.bsky.social
@indigodreamspub.bsky.social
@bloodaxebooks.bsky.social
@helenivory.bsky.social
@faberbooks.bsky.social
@indigodreamspub.bsky.social
@bloodaxebooks.bsky.social
@helenivory.bsky.social
March 30, 2025 at 7:21 AM
A great writing/reading week: Droitwich Writers’ Circle, Wirral Poetry Festival workshop and now lovely mother’s day reading!!!
@faberbooks.bsky.social
@indigodreamspub.bsky.social
@bloodaxebooks.bsky.social
@helenivory.bsky.social
@faberbooks.bsky.social
@indigodreamspub.bsky.social
@bloodaxebooks.bsky.social
@helenivory.bsky.social
Looking back to move forward – a reflective start here to 2025, featuring grey rain, spring light, life, writing and editing, balancing energies and some special celebrations!!! www.sarah-james.co.uk?page_id=7
#writing
#poetry #life #editing #writing #smallpress
#writing
#poetry #life #editing #writing #smallpress
March 16, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Looking back to move forward – a reflective start here to 2025, featuring grey rain, spring light, life, writing and editing, balancing energies and some special celebrations!!! www.sarah-james.co.uk?page_id=7
#writing
#poetry #life #editing #writing #smallpress
#writing
#poetry #life #editing #writing #smallpress
A fabulous stanza meeting on Friday night, followed by a great Cheshire Novel Prize/Sara Cox @saranaidinecox.bsky.social masterclass yesterday. Now the hard work begins!
January 12, 2025 at 8:44 AM
A fabulous stanza meeting on Friday night, followed by a great Cheshire Novel Prize/Sara Cox @saranaidinecox.bsky.social masterclass yesterday. Now the hard work begins!