There is no one else writing like Chloe Balcomb, no one else who can render huge themes - feminism, death, our life with other animals into such finely observed and delicately wrought vignettes, vibrant with original diction and vocabulary.'
Roselle Angwin, Poet and Author
‘beautiful unshowy language; a precisely controlled tone that allows for an expert build up of narrative suspense.’
Amy Wack, Poetry Editor, Seren Press
Roselle Angwin, Poet and Author
‘beautiful unshowy language; a precisely controlled tone that allows for an expert build up of narrative suspense.’
Amy Wack, Poetry Editor, Seren Press
About Me
The Walk Back into Night I love the walk back into night away from words and thought, the hush of dark, the heat of stars, when I am tired of talk Dun I'd dark cloak, the silvered clouds, the islands up ahead, the ring of boots along the track, the calling of my bed. The corncrake' rasp, the scent of grass, the new moons's gentle light, the rush of wind, the keeping surf, the walk back into night. |
I am Sheffield based poet and author of Young Adult fiction and short stories. A qualified teacher and physical therapist, my work also includes collaborations with artists and workshop sessions with young people and community groups. Deeply inspired by the natural world and encounters with some of the amazing creatures in it, I am also fascinated by the memories that live in our heads and bodies. Stories of daring, transformation and hope, have filled my imagination since I was a child. My YA novel series, set on the stunning Sussex marshes bring many of these loves together. I'm an avid reader and love getting lost in a good book or film. Wild swimming, walks in the woods, stained glass projects and spending time in wild places with people I love, all help to keep me grounded in our increasingly challenging world. You can find details of some of my work below and across this website. Please get in touch via the contact page, I would love to hear from you. A praise poem about the beautiful island of Iona - listen to a reading of The Walk Back into Night here. |
Poetry Pamphlet Collections
The Waney Edge, Green Bottle Press, 2019
Upstart Jugglers, Hen Run, Grey Hen Press, 2020
Poems
'Dear Poets', Butcher's Dog, Issue 20, 2024
'Going Home' and 'Prospero', Two Ravens, Grey Hen Press 2024 www.greyhenpress.com/books/
'Sweetheart' ,The Passionfruit Review, 2023
passionfruitreview.com/passionfruit-poetry-2023/
'Gutsy Menopausal Woman', Menopause, The Anthology, Arachne Press 2023
'The Boy who Almost Made Me Quit, The Vole Anthology 2023
'My Great Great Grandfather', Ink, Sweat and Tears, 2021 inksweatandtears.co.uk/chloe-balcomb/
'Run Like a Girl', 13 Players and a Poet, 2021 www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3YNMllTXkI
'Little Sure Shot', Phenomenal Women, Grey Hen Press 2021
'Captured, Three Paintings by Piers Browne', Lighting Out, Beautiful Dragon's Collaborations, 2021
'First Walk in Ecclesall Wood', Lovely, Dark and Deep, Grey Hen Press 2021
'Blether', Frogmore Papers, 2020
'The Sisters of St. Hilaire', Face Up to the Sun, Manchester Cathedral Publications 2019
'Equinox', Well Dam, Beautiful Dragons, 2019
'What We Know About Snipe', 'Lepus', Dawn Treader, Indigo Dreams Press, 2019
'Neighbours', The Interpreter's House, Issue 80, 2019
theinterpretershouse.org/balcomb-70
'Glory', All the Sins, Issue 9, Art from History, 2019
allthesins.co.uk/issue-2/issue-9/glory-chloe-balcomb/
'Bohemia', Under the Radar, September, 2018
'What We Did', Not a Drop, Beautiful Dragons, 2017
'My Son the Cockroach', 'Culture', And Other Poems, September, 2017
andotherpoems.com/2017/09/08/two-poems-by-chloe-balcomb/
'The Backcomb Beauties', My Mane Memories, Silver Birch Press, 2016
silverbirchpress.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/the-backcomb-beauties-poem-by-chloe-balcomb-my-mane-memories-poetry-and-prose-series/
Prizes and commendations
Leroy and Tyler, Prothesis, Other People's Art, All shortlisted, Derby Poetry Prize 2024
'Sweetheart" Highly Commended, The Passionfruit Review 2023 Poetry Prize.
'The Boy Who Almost Made Me Quit', Runner Up, The Vole Anthology 2023,
'Elver', Longlisted Mslexia Young Adult Fiction Prize 2023
Hooligan Girls, Longlisted, Primers, Nine Arches Press 2021
'Diamond Geezer', Longlisted, Fiction Factory 2021
'Blether', Frogmore Poetry Prize, 2020, Second Runner Up
'Crossing', Elmbridge Literary Competition, 2020
'The Sisters of St Hilaire', Runner up, Manchester Cathedral Poetry Competition, 2019
'Driving Lessons', The Cannon Poets Sonnet or Not, 2017
'Strange Creatures', Guernsey Literature Festival, 2016
'Advice for Female Funambulists', Mslexia Poetry Pamphlet Competition, 2016
Short Stories
'Thirst', Eunoia Review, 2019
eunoiareview.wordpress.com/2019/08/06/thirst-3/
'Flamenco Tat', The Cabinet of Heed, (Issue 24), 2019
cabinetofheed.com/2019/09/07/flamenco-tat-chloe-balcomb
The Waney Edge, Green Bottle Press, 2019
Upstart Jugglers, Hen Run, Grey Hen Press, 2020
Poems
'Dear Poets', Butcher's Dog, Issue 20, 2024
'Going Home' and 'Prospero', Two Ravens, Grey Hen Press 2024 www.greyhenpress.com/books/
'Sweetheart' ,The Passionfruit Review, 2023
passionfruitreview.com/passionfruit-poetry-2023/
'Gutsy Menopausal Woman', Menopause, The Anthology, Arachne Press 2023
'The Boy who Almost Made Me Quit, The Vole Anthology 2023
'My Great Great Grandfather', Ink, Sweat and Tears, 2021 inksweatandtears.co.uk/chloe-balcomb/
'Run Like a Girl', 13 Players and a Poet, 2021 www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3YNMllTXkI
'Little Sure Shot', Phenomenal Women, Grey Hen Press 2021
'Captured, Three Paintings by Piers Browne', Lighting Out, Beautiful Dragon's Collaborations, 2021
'First Walk in Ecclesall Wood', Lovely, Dark and Deep, Grey Hen Press 2021
'Blether', Frogmore Papers, 2020
'The Sisters of St. Hilaire', Face Up to the Sun, Manchester Cathedral Publications 2019
'Equinox', Well Dam, Beautiful Dragons, 2019
'What We Know About Snipe', 'Lepus', Dawn Treader, Indigo Dreams Press, 2019
'Neighbours', The Interpreter's House, Issue 80, 2019
theinterpretershouse.org/balcomb-70
'Glory', All the Sins, Issue 9, Art from History, 2019
allthesins.co.uk/issue-2/issue-9/glory-chloe-balcomb/
'Bohemia', Under the Radar, September, 2018
'What We Did', Not a Drop, Beautiful Dragons, 2017
'My Son the Cockroach', 'Culture', And Other Poems, September, 2017
andotherpoems.com/2017/09/08/two-poems-by-chloe-balcomb/
'The Backcomb Beauties', My Mane Memories, Silver Birch Press, 2016
silverbirchpress.wordpress.com/2016/03/11/the-backcomb-beauties-poem-by-chloe-balcomb-my-mane-memories-poetry-and-prose-series/
Prizes and commendations
Leroy and Tyler, Prothesis, Other People's Art, All shortlisted, Derby Poetry Prize 2024
'Sweetheart" Highly Commended, The Passionfruit Review 2023 Poetry Prize.
'The Boy Who Almost Made Me Quit', Runner Up, The Vole Anthology 2023,
'Elver', Longlisted Mslexia Young Adult Fiction Prize 2023
Hooligan Girls, Longlisted, Primers, Nine Arches Press 2021
'Diamond Geezer', Longlisted, Fiction Factory 2021
'Blether', Frogmore Poetry Prize, 2020, Second Runner Up
'Crossing', Elmbridge Literary Competition, 2020
'The Sisters of St Hilaire', Runner up, Manchester Cathedral Poetry Competition, 2019
'Driving Lessons', The Cannon Poets Sonnet or Not, 2017
'Strange Creatures', Guernsey Literature Festival, 2016
'Advice for Female Funambulists', Mslexia Poetry Pamphlet Competition, 2016
Short Stories
'Thirst', Eunoia Review, 2019
eunoiareview.wordpress.com/2019/08/06/thirst-3/
'Flamenco Tat', The Cabinet of Heed, (Issue 24), 2019
cabinetofheed.com/2019/09/07/flamenco-tat-chloe-balcomb