#PickoftheMonth
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Beyond excited to have Rachael Clyne / @rachaelclyne.bsky.social Highly Commended for the Forward Prizes 2026 #BestSinglePoemWritten for her poem 'Homeland' which was published on IS&T and #PickoftheMonth for June 2025!

#HighlyCommended #ForwardPrizes #ForwardBook2027 #Faber #PoetryAnthology
September 17, 2026 at 4:30 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
'Relevant, brave and urgently important'

Huge congratulations to Viv Fogel whose poem 'At the End of the Class' is the IS&T #PickoftheMonth for August 2026. Revisit the poem and see more voters' comments at inksweatandtears.co.uk/august-2026-...

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry #PoetryCommunity
Image of desert landscape with hilly area in back just glimpsed and sun rising from the water. Overall gold haze and deep gold border. Text (centred) Congratulations Viv Fogel At the End of the Class IS&T August 2026 Pick of the Month
September 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
We always ask our #PickoftheMonth writers to record their winning work. May and June 2026 saw two poets focusing very much on the mother/daughter relationship in different yet very poignant ways. These are wonderful poems and beautifully read!

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry
July 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
'Evocative, descriptive, challenging and uplifting'

Congratulations to John Bartlett whose poem 'sclerenchyma' is the IS&T Pick of the Month for August 2025. To revisit the poem & see more voters' comments go to inksweatandtears.co.uk/august-2025-...

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry #PickoftheMonth
Image Faint image of lilies coming through the image of clouds and sky of an autumn dusk. Text: Congratulations John Bartlett sclerenchyma The IS&T August 2025 Pick of the Month
September 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
Vote now for your IS&T #PickoftheMonth for August 2026. Will it be Aardhra Chandran, Viv Fogel, Janet Hatherley, @whatisaletter.bsky.social, Mark McDonnell or @damenobrien.bsky.social? Poems and the voting link are at inksweatandtears.co.uk/august-2026-...

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry #PoetryCommunity
Image: August fields in the sunlight with VOTE icon bottom righr Text: IS&T August 2026 Pick of the Month Aardhra Chandran Viv Fogel Janet Hatherley Marie Isabel Matthews-Schlinzig Mark McDonnell Damen O’Brien
September 15, 2026 at 4:10 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
It's time to choose your Pick of the Month for June 2025. Will you vote for @rachaelclyne.bsky.social, Oz Hardwick, Pippa Little, @herr-morris.bsky.social, Sreeja Naskar or @selasimclord.bsky.social ? More at inksweatandtears.co.uk/june-2025-pi...

#InkSweatandTears #PickoftheMonth
Partially transparent background: close up of vivid red poppies. Bottom right: stamp saying VOTE Text: The IS&T June 2025 Pick of the Month Rachael Clyne Oz Hardwick Pippa Little Steph Morris Sreeja Naskar McLord Selasi
July 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
'Beautiful, subtle merging of that moment of sporting destiny and the creative process'

Huge Congrats to @tadhgcarey.bsky.social whose poem 'Pivotal' is our #PickoftheMonth for Oct 2025. To revisit the poem & for more voters' comments go to inksweatandtears.co.uk/october-2025...

#InkSweatandTears
Image to the right of feet doing a back flip kick of a football. Text: Congratulations (banner) Tadhg Carey Pivotal IS&T's October 2025 Pick of the Month
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
Right out of January and into its #PickoftheMonth vote! Will you choose poems from Helen Akers, @samc4rr.bsky.social, Antony Dunn, Myra Schneider, Zumwalt, or @jessmookherjee.bsky.social's review of 'Grey Time' by @julwe1.bsky.social.

inksweatandtears.co.uk/january-2026...

#InkSweatandTears #Vote
To the right: Image of sky in dark greys with a hint of yellow orange light 3/4 of the way down. Pale yellow stamp saying VOTE in dark grey. Text to the left: IS&T January 2026 Pick of the Month Helen Akers Samantha Carr Antony Dunn Myra Schneider Zumwalt Jessica Mookherjee reviews 'Grey Time' by Julia Webb
February 1, 2026 at 4:30 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
Vote for Your July 2026 #PickoftheMonth! Will it be Daniel Naawenkangua Abukuri, @siobhanloganwriter.bsky.social, James Mason, James McDermott, Lauren K. Nixon or Rich Yates? More at inksweatandtears.co.uk/july-2026-pi....

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry #PoetryCommunity
Image: Summer sunrise Text: IS&T July 2026 Pick of the Month Daniel Naawenkangua Abukuri Siobhan Logan James Mason James McDermott Lauren K. Nixon Rich Yates VOTE icon lower right
August 10, 2026 at 3:20 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
We've slipped into June which makes it time to vote for IS&T's #PickoftheMonth for May! Choose from
@caththewriter.bsky.social, Daniel Cartwright-Chaouki, Ian Hickey, Jackson, Robin Lindsay Wilson and Winifred Mok. inksweatandtears.co.uk/may-2026-pic...

#InkSweatAndTears #Poetry #Prose #Vote
Image of blurred lake scene with focus on reeds at front. Vote icon lower right Text: IS&T May 2026 Pick of the Month Cath Holland Daniel Cartwright-Chaouki Ian Hickey Jackson Robin Lindsay Wilson Winifred Mok
June 4, 2026 at 11:15 AM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
We will be announcing the Shortlist for the IS&T #PickoftheMonth in just under an hour's time. In the meantime you can revisit March's winning 'Buried' read by the poet Tamara Salih.

inksweatandtears.co.uk/march-2026-p...

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry #Audio
Text: Hear it Read – across announcement image of the March Pick of the Month.
May 9, 2026 at 2:05 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
The October Pick of the Month vote is now live. Will you choose @rushikawick.bsky.social, @oormilaprahlad.bsky.social, David A. Lee, @sarahleavesley.bsky.social, @poet-pratibha1.bsky.social or @tadhgcarey.bsky.social? More at inksweatandtears.co.uk/october-2025...

#InkSweatandTears #PickoftheMonth
Text: IS&T October 2025 Pick of the Month Rushika Wick Oormila Vijayakrishnan Prahlad David A. Lee Sarah James/Leavesley Pratibha Castle Tadhg Carey 'Vote' icon in corner Side banner of maple tree with multi-coloured Autumn leaves.
November 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
'Personal, clear, relatable, precise, human. Poetry.'

Huge congratulations to James Mason whose poem 'Beginner's Italian' is the IS&T #PickoftheMonth for July 2026. You can read the poem and see more voters' comments at inksweatandtears.co.uk/july-2026-pi...

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry
Semi-transparent image of basil leaves, garlic bulbs and tomatoes arranged as the Italian flag against a pink/mauve ombre´-effect background. Text: Congratulations! James Mason Beginner's Italian IS&T July 2026 Pick of the Month
August 19, 2026 at 3:01 PM
siobhanloganwriter.bsky.social
When your world tilts & everything tastes weird. Been getting some lovely responses to my poem 'Misdiagnosis'. It captures the vertiginous moment we received my mum's cancer diagnosis. Shortlisted for @inksweatandtears.co.uk #PickoftheMonth along with 5 super poems. Vote by Friday 6pm. 🌎 📝 🗳
August 12, 2026 at 11:16 AM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
'Beautiful imagery and gorgeous melancholy longing'

Huge congratulations to Sophie Lankarani, whose poem 'Dear Iran' is the IS&T #PickoftheMonth for April 2026. Revisit the poem and read more voters' comments at inksweatandtears.co.uk/april-2026-p...

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry
Background image of dried chilis over which a bowl of dark red saffron threads is superimposed. Text: Congratulations! (in italics) Sophie Lankarani Dear Iran IS&T April 2026 Pick of the Month
May 18, 2026 at 3:05 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
It is #PickoftheMonth time! Will Alicia Byrne Keane, Gareth Culshaw, Jan Fitzgerald, Eugene O'Hare, Tamara Salih or Daniel Sluman be your March choice?

More details at : inksweatandtears.co.uk/march-2026-p...

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry
Background image of spring flowers poking out of melting snow. Vote icon bottom right Text: IS&T MARCH 2026 PICK OF THE MONTH Alicia Byrne Keane Gareth Culshaw Jan Fitzgerald Eugene O'Hare Tamara Salih Daniel Sluman
April 12, 2026 at 3:40 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
We'll be announcing our shortlist for September's #PickoftheMonth in a few hours. In the meantime, you can hear August's winner John Bartlett read his winning poem at inksweatandtears.co.uk/august-2025-...
October 19, 2025 at 12:10 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
🎉🎉🎉 IS&T's February #PickoftheMonth? Choose from Tim Brookes, Stephen Chapell, May Garner, Louella Lester, Rob A. Mackenzie or Surmaya Talyarkhan. 🎉🎉🎉

inksweatandtears.co.uk/february-202...

#InkSweatAndTears
Two images of frost on a window and on trees as background. Text: IS&T FEBRUARY 2026 PICK OF THE MONTH Tim Brookes Stephen Chapell May Garner Louella Lester Rob A. Mackenzie Surmaya Talyarkhan. Bottom right: VOTE decal.
March 7, 2026 at 4:06 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
It's time to choose the last IS&T Pick of the Month for 2025. Will December's be Toby Cotton, @michelleadiaz.bsky.social, @greeningpoet.bsky.social, Paula R. Hilton, Usha Kishore or @fionalarkin.bsky.social. More at inksweatandtears.co.uk/december-202...

#InkSweatandTears #PickoftheMonth
Image (to the right) of red berries on a bare branch against a blue sky and snow on the ground. With a VOTE stamp bottom right. Text: IS&T December Pick of the Month * Toby Cotton *Michelle Diaz *John Greening *Paula R. Hilton *Usha Kishore *Fiona Larkin
January 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
It's that time again! Vote for your June 2026 #PickoftheMonth: Khairina Anindya, Dylan Foster, @hannahl1n.bsky.social, Gabrielle Meadows, Luke Moran or @ninanazir.bsky.social? More at inksweatandtears.co.uk/june-2026-pi...

#InkSweatandTears #Poetry #WordandImage
Background of bright sunshine with Vote symbol bottom right Text: IS&T June 2026 Pick of the Month Khairina Anindya Dylan Foster Hannah Linden Gabrielle Meadows Luke Moran Nina Nazir
July 9, 2026 at 3:03 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
Which poem is your IS&T August 2025 Pick of the Month? Choose from @benbanyard.bsky.social, John Bartlett, Cindy Botha, Liz Byrne, Jeff Gallagher or Esha Volvoikar, and vote at inksweatandtears.co.uk/august-2025-...

#InkSweatandTears #PoetryCommunity #PickoftheMonth
Full August moon in a vivid cloud filled sky at dusk. Text: The IS&T August 2025 Pick of the Month Ben Banyard John Bartlett Cindy Botha Liz Byrne Jeff Gallagher Esha Volvoikar Vote Now
September 15, 2025 at 4:05 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
As we head towards the glitter and glitz, let's take one last look back at November. Will you choose Mariam Saidan, Taḋg Paul / @tigger.ie, Antony Owen, Andy Humphrey, Tamara Evans / cadicarterbrown.bsky.social or Mallika Bhaumik as your #PickoftheMonth?

#InkSweatandTears #FeaturedPoetry
To right: Image of late November trees with the leaves on the ground. VOTE icon Text: IS&T November 2025 Pick of the Month Mariam Saidan Taḋg Paul Antony Owen Andy Humphrey Tamara Evans Mallika Bhaumik
December 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
'This poem was as unexpected as a story plot! I loved it.'

Huge congratulations to Paul Chuks whose poem 'Reimagination of Gravity' is the #InkSweatandTears #PickoftheMonth for July 2025. To revisit the poem & for more voters' comments go to inksweatandtears.co.uk/july-2025-pi...
Part image of red apple to the left on a blurred green background Text: The IS&T July 2025 Pick of the Month Paul Chuks Reimagination of Gravity Congratulations (in italics)
August 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
'A very striking and thought provoking piece of work.'

Warm congratulations to @samc4rr.bsky.social whose poem 'Unexploded Bombs' is the IS&T #PickoftheMonth for January 2026. To revisit the poem and for more voters' comments, please go to inksweatandtears.co.uk/january-2026....

#InkSweatandTears
To the right: Graphic of white and red blood cells To the left: Faint image of blood splatter superimposed with the following text: Congratulations (red italics) SAMANTHA CARR Unexploded Bombs IS&T JANUARY 2026 PICK OF THE MONTH
February 12, 2026 at 3:38 PM
inksweatandtears.co.uk
Take a moment and vote for IS&T's July 2025 Pick of the Month. Will you choose Susana Arrieta, Paul Chuks, Lola Dekhuijzen, John Grey, Eithne Longstaff or Mark Wyatt?

More details at inksweatandtears.co.uk/july-2025-pi...

#InkSweatandTears #PickoftheMonth
Image: half sunflower emerging from left on a blurred green background. Text: Right: Vote (black italics) Left: The IS&T July 2025 Pick of the Month Susana Arrieta Paul Chuks Lola Dekhuijzen John Grey Eithne Longstaff Mark Wyatt
August 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM