NEWS

This report written 17.03.2026

I'm going to assume the formalities dealt with, but in case not, a sincere "Hello and welcome". There's information on who I am etc via the contents. This is the front page, the white heat of my frantic mind, a kind of what's on-cum-blog...

As a writer, I find an irresistable urge to mess (we call it editing) with existing material. As a reader, listener etc, I know what it feels like when someone changes their material - like a favourite song or whatever. We often feel attached to the 'original' and somehow feel cheated or abandoned when changes are made.

Fair to say though, these days we usually arrive at that by having an existing version stored digitally or in text, or whatever appropriate meduim. So we can select our preferred version, regardless of any performance we attend or idiot website revisions people like me might indulge. No one can say that's right or wrong. All I can state is that the original is in the first instance the property of the creator who somehow might feel their purpose (and therefore your enjoyment/interest) is better served by newer versions. Which is surely good cause enough, and causality rules, right?

You will note then, some changes here (as might be possible on a free platform) in site design and appearance. Making it more attractive and accessible are important and part of that involves what you just read above. If you like to read a blog, then you'll find more regular output on substack, which you can find via this link: https://substack.com/@alexoliver/note/c-228091062?utm_source=notes-share-action

You don't have to join up, subscribe or anything - just click no thanks and you can get to the material. You can follow and subscribe for free if you choose.

Should you choose to ignore that option, I shall briefly mention that in collaboration with artist friend Chris Bilton, we have put together a small troupe of people who will be reading my poetry live at the opening ceremony for an exhibition. That exhibition entails Chris's work around dragons, with snatches and quotes from my poems on the same theme. The readers take two parts - Chivone barrington Head reads Jane Nettleton, the protagonist, while Mike O'Brien reads the narrative. There will also be live music byt Alan Jackson (keys), Chivonne (flute) Gary Wells (upright bass) and myself on guitar.

Along with Alan, I am working on a stream/download/CD version which will be at Zagdegra@bandcamp for pre-order soon. Or as we say round here, order.

If you want to spread me around here's the link to this website: https://sites.google.com/view/alex-oliver-poetry-songs/