About

Mark’s poems have been published by Poetry Review, The London Magazine, The Irish Times, MAGMA, Aesthetica, The New European, The North, Live Canon, POEM International, The Moth and many more.

His second collection Other Saints Are Available was launched by Live Canon in May, 2022.

The first The Rainbow Factory was published by Templar Poetry in 2016 following the success of his award-winning pamphlet The Chelsea Flower Show Massacre. He is a winner of the Oxford Brookes University International Prize and the Ruskin Prize. He was placed third in the UK National Poetry Competition and runner up in the Bridport Prize, the Moth Prize, The Stephen Spender Translation Prize and the Robert Graves Prize with commendations in over fifty other competitions, including the Montreal International Prize.

Of his writing, leading Irish poet and academic Thomas McCarthy had this to say:

“Mark Fiddes’ THE RAINBOW FACTORY is a wonder, a real work of art, from a poet who seems incapable of writing a bad poem. His sharpness, both linguistic and intellectual, makes his work unique, I think, and uniquely satisfying. His prize-winning ‘Ex.’ and ‘The Lost Gardens of West Norwood’ are a joy to read, both for the thought within and the technical competence, more than competence, panache, I would say, yes, technical panache. I am certain that ‘Ex.’ will become one of those poems that are continuously anthologised, rather like Betjemen’s Slough poem…This is all work in poetry of the highest calibre, and written in a voice that is rarely seen in poetry, the urbane humorist who sustains serious thought.”

He studied Philosophy at Merton College, Oxford University before leaving for Washington, D.C. to work as a journalist. He now travels between London, Dubai and Barcelona as a creative director and writer. He speaks Spanish and has recently been translating the work of Catalan poet Miquel Martí i Pol.

Some quotes:

“A punk energy and impish sense of fun suffuse this fine new collection…compressed with wit and wonder. Purchase a copy of this intelligent, immaculately tended collection and you will find yourself in the company of a tour guide at once wickedly cynical, bleakly funny and always colourful.”   Christopher James, Winner of the National Poetry Prize.

“One of my favourite titles for a poetry collection, Mark Fiddes’ The Chelsea Flower Show Massacre is expectedly full of wit and wry observation on the strata of British society. But this book reaches deeper, into moments that catch you off guard with profound, plainspoken insight into the human condition. More than a hilarious romp (though it is that as well), this slim booklet packs a wallop, leaves you teetering through the poet’s off-kilter worldview.” Robert Peake in The Huffington Post.

“..its stately movement, its resolution of all the technical problems of a period and a persona piece, and the lovely lift into something transcendent with which it ends.” Professor Fiona Sampson, poet and judge of the Ruskin Poetry Prize.

“This is intelligent, multi-layered modern poetry and should be read…clever, deep and engaging.” Rachel Stirling, writer and poetry blogger.

“Very thought-provoking. I doubt if I shall ever view Chelsea in the same light.”Alan Titchmarsh, gardener, writer, DJ.