News
On this page, you can find out Damon Lord's latest news, and read his latest articles.
He also regularly appears at literary events; click here for more info on upcoming appearances and speaking events.
Latest News
Damon Lord selected as winner of best poem (public vote)
1 July 2024. Local independent bookshop Script Haven announced today that Damon Lord's poem Pause was selected as the best poem in a public vote. The poem was xhosen by visitors to the "Breatheless - Breathe More" art and poetry exhibition, which was on display in Script Haven throught the second half of June 2024. Script Haven stated they look forward to collaborating again soon with all creatives involved.
Damon Lord's poem displayed at Art Exhibition
15 June 2024. The Breathless - Breathe More exhibition opened today, combining poetry and art on a variety of themes. The theme assigned to Damon and the amazing artist Caroline Hall was Pause. The exhibition runs at Script Haven, 104 High Street, Worcester until 30th June 2024.
Damon Lord steps down as Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2023/24
15 May 2024. As of 6 p.m., today, Damon Lord has resigned a month early from the position of Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2023/24. While he valued collaborating with the team, he must now redirect his focus on making harmonious daily advancement with other important writing projects, including academic study and a novel in progress.
Damon Lord headline act at Dear Listener
Thursday 16 May 2024, 6:30 p.m.
Dear Listener, hosted by Charley Barnes, has invited Damon Lord to headline at Worcester's leading monthly spoken-word literary event!
Dear Listener writes:
We're bouncing back with a little spring in our step and bringing with us this month... the current Worcestershire Poet Laureate!
Damon Lord (pronouns: he/him) is Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2023/4, and is a Welsh writer of fiction and poetry. He lives in Worcester with his wife and child. Damon has been a core performer at 42, Worcester's premier genre (SF, fantasy, horror, etc.) spoken word night since its 2011 inception.
Alongside Damon we'll have our open mic set-up, too, so if you want 5 minutes on the mic then drop Charley and Leena an email at dearlisteneropenmic@gmail.com to get booked in.
This event kicks off at 6:30pm and there will be a £3 charge for entry.
For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
Winner of the Brother's Cup 2024!
11 May 2024. Damon Lord has won the Brother's Cup for the second year in a row, in this year's Provincial Lecture Competition, organised by the Worcestershire Freemasons Provincial Learning and Development Officer. His lecture title was: Masonry and the Moon.
World Poetry Day and Speak Volumes! Festival now on!
21 March 2024. Happy World Poetry Day!
Today I visited the Speak Volumes Festival, where they hosted Dear Listener Open Mic tonight. It's a vibrant and exciting student-led arts fest, full of energy, words and art!
I got invited to read some of my poems, so I read two about the Severn, and a third, an old favourite about a toilet demon. The headliners this evening were Ciarán Hodgers and Jemima Hughes and their deeply moving words! I didn't take many photos, I was too busy listening.
The Speak Volumes festival have also put a poem of mine up on a major display with my words all over a map of the county! The Festival is ongoing until Saturday, so click here to find out more!
International Mother Language Day 2024 spoken word event
Wednesday 21st February 2024, 6:30 p.m.
Venue: Script Haven, 104 High Street, Worcester, WR1 2HW.
In homage to the rich tapestry of languages that have woven themselves into the cultural fabric of Worcestershire, we invite you to join us for a special spoken word event commemorating UNESCO's International Mother Language Day.
More info here: www.damonlord.com/langs2024
Sign up on our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1153644908948890/
Sign up to my newsletter
26 December 2023. Damon Lord is today launching a monthly newsletter, entitled Words, Words, Words: Damon Lord Writer, hosted at Substack.
Colour Theory now available to buy online!
15 December 2023. The Student Poetry Society at the University of Worcester expresses heartfelt gratitude to its supporters for their contributions during the creation of their debut anthology. The team is thrilled to announce the availability of Colour Theory for purchase online, providing readers with the perfect festive gift option. The book includes five poems from the current Worcestershire Poet Laureate, Damon Lord.
Damon has been an ardent supporter of this project from its inception, and attended the successful launch night earlier this year, reading a selection of his poetry, including the audience favourite Dirge for a Fallen Thunderbox, a poem about an upturned portable toilet.
The anthology is now available through the official Mini Poetry Press website at the following link: https://minipoetrypress.sumupstore.com/product/colour-theory
To ensure a seamless shopping experience, all orders will be promptly dispatched in padded envelopes via first-class postage/Royal Mail within the UK. The Student Poetry Society extends its sincere appreciation to everyone involved in this incredible project, emphasizing the significance of their support.
Previous news
11 June 2023 Poetry judges appointed Damon Lord this afternoon as the Worcestershire Poet Laureate 2023-24, organised by the Worcestershire LitFest and Fringe. Competing against three other extremely talented poets, Damon entertained the judges and audience with interactive poetry at the Swan Theatre, Worcester. For more info, click here.
3 June 2023 Damon Lord has been selected as a finalist for the Worcestershire Poet Laureate competition 2023, with the final due to take place at midday on 11th June at the Swan Theatre foyer bar, Worcester. Damon will be performing his two submitted poems, one of which was on the theme of forgiveness. If successful, Damon will become the official poet for the county 2023-4. For more information on the Worcestershire Literary Festival which hosts the event, please go to this page.
27 April 2023 Damon Lord has won the Brother's Cup in this year's Provincial Lecture Competition, organised by the Worcestershire Freemasons Provincial Learning and Development Officer. Click here for further information.
January 2023 This website launched! The one I had before was rubbish, and kind of meh.