Global Tree Presents - Harriett Goodale & My Baby Shot Me Down - Blinding Books 2014.

Harriett Goodale is a poetry and prose writer currently residing in Peterborough

Harriett has recently had her work published in the rather brilliant anthology,

My Baby Shot Me Down.

My Baby Shot Me Down is a selection of poetry and prose compiled by Richard Penny. The book features the work of 10 new women writers, that Penny found whilst browsing through the website ABCtales, a site for aspiring writers. The site enables writers to submit their work and support each other in their quest to develop literary skills. Penny realised that the best works came mainly from women, so he began to make a list of his favourite authors with the intention of publishing their work.

This book and Harriett were brought to my attention by mutual friend and fellow poet Michael Riccardi aka Mixy. I contacted Hattie and we arranged to meet at this months Pint Of Poetry.

Pint of Poetry is held once a month at Charters in Peterborough. Poets from all walks of life are able to come along and perform. It's a very comfortable environment and new faces are always welcomed, so it seemed fitting I was to meet Harriett here.

Upon meeting Harriett, she appeared very reserved, yet reading her work, she clearly absorbs everything around her. She must of thought I was nuts, as when nervous, I never shut up!

My nerves weren't through meeting Harriett, they were present because I had put my name down to read a poem. I cheekily gave Harriett's name too, hoping she would read something also and she did!

Baring in mind, Pint of Poetry is held in a pub. Unparticipating punters can be rather noisy, but as distracting as they are, Harriett seemed to capture everybody in the room.

I stood watching the expression on peoples faces, as she was reading and every single one of them were engaged. As Harriett walked off stage, I heard a lady say "that was incredible" she wasn’t wrong!

I myself can relate to Harriett's work. She makes even the saddest state of mind, sound so alluring.

"Lurking and malignant, merging and linking, coalescing together to form a dark and tender tumour, that throbs and needles when you whisper words of love, hisses doubts when you wrap your arms around me"

(Extract from I Am Your Oyster Lover)

Harriett has always loved writing, her admiration of literature is what encouraged her to pick up a pen.

A few years ago she saw an advert for ABCtales in an anthology she was reading. Out of curiosity, she checked out the website and submitted a poem. Overwhelmed from the feedback and response she received, she slowly started to believe in herself.

It appears that advert changed her life somewhat. After all, if she hadn't of signed up, Richard Penny wouldn’t of found her and been captivated by her work, as we all were at Pint Of Poetry.

My Baby Shot Me Down is an inspirational read. These women are honest, strong and have an incredible sense of humour. They take you through the dynamics of life, one step at a time and each piece is written beautifully.

Featured Authors;

Clarissa Angus Claudine Lazar

Katherine Black Rachael Smart

Maggy van Eijik Ruth Starling

Harriett Goodale Alison Wassell

Deborah Hambrook Laura Wilkinson

My Baby Shot Me Down

OUT NOW