In Brief...
Professional
info
I'm a poet and freelance writer who organises live literature events, runs workshops and manages Offa's Press, a small poetry press in Shropshire. Over the years Offa's Press has received some financial support from Arts Council England.
I have organised hundreds of live literature events and creative writing workshops in the West Midlands. I have also performed my work all over the country and abroad.
Skills
To find out more about my creative writing workshops go to 'Projects'. I'm available for poetry performances so contact me to discuss. I have read across Britain and in Pakistan (courtesy of Yorkshire Arts), Norway and Germany. I also mentor up and coming poets and writers so, again, go to 'Projects' for more info.
Languages
I enjoy tackling poetry in other languages, especially French, but would not say I was fluent.
My Books
Here are the books I've written, contributed to and/or edited in the last ten years.
For books published before 2010 go to Pennine Pens' website: www.penninepens.co.uk
To buy Offa's Press books go to: www.offaspress.co.uk
To buy copies of Simon's other books email Simon at: simonfletcher58@gmail.com
Away with the Birds
Away with the Birds
(co-edited with Kuli Kohli), Offa's Press, 2023, £9.95
The reader will be thrilled by the power of observation and the urgency that’s shown, in this time of crisis, to restore bird life in the West Midlands.
Wild Orchids
Wild Orchids, Offa's Press, 2022, £5.95
Wild Orchids is Simon Fletcher’s battle cry in the face of spiralling environmental crisis. Unflinching in celebration and concern, there’s something to empower both the curious and the committed amongst Fletcher's carefully-crafted landscapes.
New Voices
New Voices, Offa's Press, 2022, £7.95
There are poets here who have experienced marginalisation, from working class backgrounds, from north Indian communities and with a Caribbean hinterland.
The language they choose to write in reminds us of the wonderful variety of spoken English in the West Midlands and will be a sheer delight for all who love the diversity of our babbling region.
This collection is a chest of treasures; unlocked, it's a surprise we have all been waiting for. Kuli Kohli, Poet Laureate of Wolverhampton
In The Sticks
In the Sticks, with Cherry Doyle, Offa's Press, 2021, £7.95
This valuable and enjoyable anthology strikes a balance between listing the glories of the countryside and enumerating the many tensions and threats to our continuing enjoyment of it. Greg Freeman,
![worcestershire cover single[1752].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f5b727_c7d77bb4722f4fa19b9b1a2bdaef0f86~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_116,h_182,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/worcestershire%20cover%20single%5B1752%5D.jpg)
The Poetry of Worcestershire
The Poetry of Worcestershire, with Michael W. Thomas, Offa's Press, 2019, £7.95
Every poetry book should have a poem about fruit picking. Our fruit juice runneth over in Worcestershire: damsons, pears, plums, apples, [ ] and the hay-maker bringing in the yield. Ian Todd, The Cannon's Mouth
Ripening Cherries
Ripening Cherries, with David Bingham, Offa's Press, 2019, £7.95
Given the breadth of haiku, tanka and haibun expertise present in Ripening Cherries, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading it. Credit must be given to the editors for putting together an understated gem. Tim Gardiner, Blithe Spirit
Check Mate
Check Mate, An Urdu play by Basir Sultan Kazmi in a bi-lingual edition, translated into English by BSK with Simon Fletcher, Sang-e-Meel, Lahore, 2019, £9.95.
![Poetry of BC Front Cover[1751].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f5b727_2697305caaf24cb5bba426d50f64eb42~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_122,h_192,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Poetry%20of%20BC%20Front%20Cover%5B1751%5D.jpg)
The Poetry of the Black Country
The Poetry Of the Black Country, with Emma Purshouse & Dave Reeves, Offa's Press, 2017, £7.95
This collection brings together some of the best work created in recent years by writers from the Black Country's vibrant poetry scene. Highly recommended. Wolves Beat
Reflections
Reflections, with Gladys Mary Coles, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, 2015, £6.95
The work produced by the participants was of such good quality that we published a book – ‘Reflections, new writings on the Meres and Mosses’. This was in large part due to Simon’s excellent tutelage. Luke Neil, Shropshire Wildlife Trust
Close to Home
Close to Home, Headland Press, 2015, £7.95
His choice of subject is always as varied as his use of language is vivid, ranging far and wide, geographically and politically, comically and personally. It's always a pleasure to read Simon's work.
Carole Baldock, Orbis
These are quiet poems, beautifully executed, from a poet who consistently delivers material of a high standard, enjoys his craft and knows the comfort of books. Highly recommended. Neil Leadbeater,
The Poetry of Staffordshire
The Poetry of Staffordshire, with Emma Purshouse, Offa's Press, 2015, £7.95
From oat cakes to Burton ale, Cannock Chase to the Roches and Wedgwood to Sir Stanley Matthews, this book of poetry will delight anyone who loves Staffordshire.
The Cherry Trees of Wyre
The Cherry Trees of Wyre, illustrated by Ian M. Emberson, Angria Press, (new edition) 2014, £5.95
Reflects with wry honesty the unsentimental life of the smallholding he grew up on. Ken Edward Smith, Pennine Platform
The Poetry of Shropshire
The Poetry of Shropshire, with Jeff Phelps, Offa's Press, 2013, £7.95
The beauty of the county, its hills, its wildlife and it many moods shine through this collection of high quality poems. Buy it. Greg Cox, The Cannon's Mouth
Another Bridge
Another Bridge, with Debjani Chatterjee, Brian D'Arcy & Basir Sultan Kazmi, Sahitya Press, 2012, £5
Mini Mushaira provides a vision of what could be in the future for despite the differences in language, backgrounds and beliefs, the poets speak with one voice. The Scotsman