100 words on a postcard for the contemporary poet.

There’s everything right with promoting yourself if you’ve got something worth promoting. There’s everything wrong with promoting yourself if you’ve not. The greatest, most long lasting and effective  self promotion for the contemporary poet is the poem.  But why not send a postcard to those who book you for a gig  to say thanks.   It wouldn’t take much effort. These days printing a postcard is easier than drawing one and never has a postcard  through the post been more pleasurable or  memorable.   I wish I'd done it years ago.The idea comes from the late theatre and broadcast veteran    Ned Sherrin who sent me a postcard with a personal note each time I was on his BBC Radio Show Loose Ends.  I felt honoured. The illustration on the reverse of the postcard was of him holding  a cigarette holder in a theatrical pose with a quote beneath it.    I remember it long after I'd forgotten the programme. I imagine his postcards on dressers and walls all over the world. Best thing about it?  It was witty and sincere. It’s a long life. We artists go to some amazing places and meet some amazing people. Leave a trail of light.