About Me

Welcome to Judi Sutherland’s website.

I was born in Stoke on Trent to Geordie parents, spent some time as a child in Northern Ireland, and since then have lived all over England from Sussex to Durham, as paid employment has dictated. I trained in Microbiology and Biochemistry at the Universities of Leeds and Nottingham respectively then pursued a career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, developing new medicines.

I obtained my MA in Creative Writing in 2012 at Royal Holloway, University of London, where I was awarded the Margaret Hewson Prize. My poetry is mainly concerned with place and belonging, and I have an interest in landscape, history and mythology. My new book Following Teisa was written between 2014 and 2020, when I was living in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

I am currently living in Malahide, North County Dublin, Ireland, with my husband and two rescue cats, where I am writing poems about my new surroundings – Fingal – the Land of the Fair Strangers.

Following Teisa, a poetry journey down the River Tees, is available from my publisher The Book Mill or from Amazon, The Book Depository or Wordery.

My pamphlet of poems, entitled The Ship Owner’s House, is still available direct from me or from Vane Women Press.

Recent Posts

What We Are Doing On Our Holidays

We’re going back to Blighty in June to see friends and family and to buy copious amounts of the things you can’t get in Ireland – notably Wensleydale cheese and corned beef. I’ve managed to set up some poetry gigs to read (mostly) from ‘Following Teisa’ while we are there, so here are the details.

Sunday 12th June. Reading with guest poet Stephen Moran – host Pauline Sewards.Torriano Meeting House, 99 Torriano Avenue. London NW5 2RX, 7.30pm

Monday 13th June. The Director’s Cut! The festival version! Thanks to the great Bob Beagrie, we are hosting a performance of the WHOLE BOOK with six voices joining me in a one-off, never-to-be-repeated event. “@CrossingtheTees presents a stunning cabaret evening on Mon 13/06 in the gorgeous surroundings of the reference library, including the launch of my collection Following Teisa. Multiple performers will play the many voices of the river Tees.” Booking details here!

Thursday 16th June I will be reading some extracts from the book as part of the regular open mic night at The Old Well pub, 21 The Bank, Barnard Castle, from 8pm.

Saturday 18th June. Words on the Wall, at the County Hotel, Hexham, doors open 2.30pm for a 3pm start. Reading with Sarah Wimbush and Rowan McCabe. Lots to like!

Tuesday 21st June Ouse Muse, at the Eagle Bookshop, 16-20 St Peter’s Street, Bedford, MK40 2NN 7.45pm.

I’m so looking forward to these readings – I would love to see you there!

  1. Who IS She? Leave a reply
  2. “Fair Teisa’s Winding Stream Invites my Lays” Leave a reply
  3. Psychogeography Leave a reply
  4. Find Your Byline Leave a reply
  5. Wildgoose Leave a reply
  6. Writing in the Pandemic Leave a reply
  7. Ninety Miles and More 1 Reply
  8. The World Is Too Much With Us Leave a reply
  9. Reviews and Previews Leave a reply