Kathleen Kenny is a born and bred Tynesider of Irish stock. Her first collection of poems Sex & Death was published by Diamond Twig in 2000 and has just gone into a second print run. It delves into the dark landscape of urban adolescence. Of the collection, Brendan Kennelly has this to say: "A powerful, dark and moving book of poems... all good... some quietly shocking, each poem authentic and strong, the entire collection skilful and humane, and full of memorable pictures of people."

Kathleen's second book of poems, Keening, was published in October 2003 by Sand Press. In this collection the inspiration is taken from rural Ireland, particularly the Mountains of Mourne. Newcastle, County Down and Newcastle upon Tyne are used as settings for these poems, which are primarily a celebration of the dual cultural identity of one Irish/Geordie.

Apart from her own writing, Kathleen also runs several workshops where other people are encouraged to cultivate their creative writing skills.

Keening is INP's book of the month for November 2003. Check out the website at www.northernpublishers.co.uk.

Of this collection, one reviewer says: "Her love and mastery of words comes over in a very powerful way but in a form that any reader will find accessible, a great talent in a poet."
To find out more, see www.sandwriting.co.uk.