Brian Bilston

On World Poetry Day, here’s a reminder of the power of poetry and its potential to change the world.

Here’s one of my more reflective poems, written while waiting for a train at a provincial railway station.

Pulp poetry.

This autumn, I’m heading off on tour with my new book, ‘How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside’.

The full list of where I’ll be and when is here: https://brianbilston.com/events/

This week, Waterstones are offering 25% off preorders of my new book, ‘How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside’, which publishes in April:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-lay-an-egg-with-a-horse-inside/brian-bilston/9781035085729

Waterstones are also promoting 25% off for preorders of the paperback edition of my poetry collection for children, ‘Let Sleeping Cats Lie’. That one is out in August:
https://www.waterstones.com/book/let-sleeping-cats-lie-pet-poems/brian-bilston/9781035050574

To mark Valentine’s Day, here is what is believed to be the world’s oldest surviving love poem, written 1.5 million years ago by one of our earliest ancestors, homo unrequitus.

And here’s my 2026 festival list so far.

14 Feb: Stage4Beverley
12 Mar: Words on the Water, Keswick
28 Apr: Guernsey Lit Fest
30 Apr: Wrexham Carnival of Words
1 May: Tunbridge Wells Lit Fest
2 May: Dorchester-on-Thames Fest
9 May: Filey Lit Fest
3 Jun: Leek Arts Fest

https://brianbilston.com/events/

Festival news: I’m delighted to be appearing at the Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival on 1st May. Tickets have just gone on sale and are available here:
https://twlf.ssboxoffice.com/events/brian-bilston-how-to-lay-an-egg-with-a-horse-inside-an-alternative-guide-to-writing-and-enjoying-poetry/

Happy Radio Day to all those who celebrate.

H r ‘ a o m all d ‘O t of hara t r’.

Tickets for two autumn shows have gone on sale today:
Warwick Arts Centre, COVENTRY on 1st Oct: https://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/Un8-brian-bilston-how-to-lay-an-egg-with-a-horse-inside/

And an EXTRA DATE for OXFORD on 18th Nov.
31st Oct show has now sold out:
https://thenorthwall.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873680879

End of Very Important Message

Here’s a poem called ‘An Attempt to Write an Abecedarian Poem in Praise of the Dictionary’.

This, please.

This is called ‘Twenty Modern-Day Proverbs’.

Happy World Poetry Day to all who celebrate. If you’re interested in writing poetry yourself, I hope this poem will be of some use.