New writer 2025: Kim Crowder

Kim Crowder’s writings have been published in literary journals, anthologies and blogs focused on human-animal relations, climate change, medical humanities and museology. Born a Londoner, she lives in rural Angus and contributes to several Scotland-based writing groups including ‘the prescription’ project hosted by Glasgow’s Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. Throughout 2024 she participated in the Clydebuilt 16 poetry mentoring scheme.

Kim holds a BA in ceramics and Master’s degrees in Textile Culture and Research Methods. Her Visual Anthropology PhD, focused on industrial livestock production in East Anglia, was awarded by Goldsmiths where she was a Visiting Research Fellow. Kim’s poetry and non-fiction essays reflect her intense interest in the natural world – its flora and fauna, the beauty and vulnerability of its landscapes and the challenges of climate change. Many of her poems take shape during daily walks with her greyhound in Glen Lethnot and Strathmore. 

Find out more on Kim's website(this link will open in a new window)

Writing sample

Heath bedstraw Galium harcynicum

On the page, a short hairless plant

with lax prostrate vegetative mat,

ascending flowering shoots

on stems procumbent, 

smooth, square, bearing

white four petalled flowers

on short branched panicles.

On the hill, brilliant pinpricks,

tiny four-pointed stars

spreading and sparkling

profuse as grounded galaxies

or soap-sud drifts  

foaming on the flanks

of freshly washed rocks.

Kim says:

'Achieving a New Writers Award at the first attempt was a huge and very welcome surprise. The prospect of year-long customised support, plus networking with the other awardees, is ideal. I am extremely grateful to Scottish Book Trust as their generous assistance will help me achieve my ambition of publishing a poetry pamphlet and, eventually, a full collection.'