The Writers of Wales Database

JONES, PATRICK

8 Falcon Terrace, Brynawel, Nr Crosskeys, NP11 7QY
Tel: (01495) 271194
Email: janeyljones81@btinternet.com
Website: www.patrick-jones.net
Myspace: www.myspace.com/patrickjoneswriter  

Poet and playwright, born in Tredegar, 1965. Educated at Swansea University and the University of Tennessee. Studied American Literature. Travelled widely in America. Member of the Open Mic Poets in Chicago. Worked as creative writing worker with the mentally ill and recovering drug addicts and with the highly successful Write for Cynon scheme. Patrick has worked closely with Manic Street Preachers; his The Guerilla Tapestry (revpress, 1995) was accompanied by a musical soundtrack composed by James Dean Bradfield. Patrick tutors Blackwood Miners Institute Young Writers’ Group. Teaches adult literacy. His poetry has been performed on BBC Wales. Guerilla Tapestry was performed live at the opening of the Welsh Assembly at the Voices of a Nation concert, 1999. Patrick was listed in Wales’ top 100 heroes as ‘the most innovative poet and playwright’.

Patrick’s reading tour 2008 starts on the 14th November 2008 in Abergavenny (www.gwenttheatre.co.uk) and also features a session in Caernarfon on the 21st November. For more information, please visit his website.

Reviews:
With respect to Darkness is where the Stars Are (Cinnamon, 2008):

"…Strong stuff…"
Harold Pinter

“…Thoughtful, provocative and challenging, these poems engage and enrage…”
Peter Tatchell

"…It’s harrowing, compelling and psychologically acute… juxtaposing the cruelty of domestic abuse against the pleasure of a new relationship, a technique which thoroughly engaged me as a reader and left me feeling utterly hopeful, despite the distressing subject matter. Elsewhere, Patrick addresses bullying, religious fundamentalism and the way children are taught at school. In a poem entitled ’Valley Comprehensive’ he asks, ‘shouldn’t education be about teaching children how, not what to think?’ The Iraq war, nationalism and the countryside alliance also come under scrutiny, material we have come to expect from a poet so rooted in Welsh socialism…"
Rachel Trezise


Selected Publications:
Poetry:
The Guerilla Tapestry (revpress, 1995)
Mute Communion (revpress, 1997)
Fuse - The Selected Works of Patrick Jones (Parthian Books, 2001)
Against (Revpress, 2003)
Darkness is where the Stars Are (Cinnamon, 2008)

Plays:
Everything Must Go (Sherman Theatre, 1999)
Unprotected Sex (Sherman Theatre, 1999)
Everything Must Go (Sherman Theatre Co, 2000)
The War is Dead Long Live the War (2005)
Sing to Me (Gwent Theatre UK Tour, 2006)
Revelation (Faction Collective, 2008)

Television:
Nuts and Bolts (early developer) (HTV)

Contributed to:
Detritus (co-writer) (also an exhibition)
Commemoration and Amnesia (spoken word cd with music from Manics, Catatonia, Manchild, Gorkys and Super Furries) (Big Noise Recordings, 1999)
Pictures of a Gone World (co-writer) (film poem) (BBC Wales)

Eligible Writers on Tour subjects offered:

1. Read and discuss own work
2. Youth writing.
3. Collaborations of words with music.
4. Creative writing with Basic Education Groups
5. 20th Century American Literature
6. Playwriting

AGE RANGE: Years 10, 11 and 6th form + adults