I’m Liz Kendall and I write poetry and non-fiction prose.
© Adrian Pope
I often stray into the traditional poetic themes of nature and travel, and I have a particular interest in food plants and wild food foraging. I’m fascinated by mythology and cryptozoology, so Anubis and the Mongolian Death Worm feature in my work. My literary and cultural influences include the Anglo-Saxons, the Vikings and medieval history, Jane Austen, Guns N’ Roses, Sylvia Townsend Warner, the South Pacific, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the North (although I live in the South).
In 2024 my poem ‘The Mongolian Death Worm Does Oprah’ was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
I have returned to writing poetry with enthusiasm after a break of many years, although I never stopped reading it. I studied English Literature and have an MA from the University of York. After the nature poetry of my childhood, my teenage poetry was mostly awful moaning and once life picked up I dropped the poems.
In the interim I worked in a contemporary art gallery and an independent bookshop. My interest in holistic health led me into my current career as a Shiatsu and massage practitioner and Tai Chi Qigong teacher. You can learn more about that at www.surrey-shiatsu.co.uk.
Now I am joyfully committed to writing, and curious about what it has in store for me. I enjoy sharing my work at open mics and listening to new work by other poets. I am grateful to the welcoming and supportive community of writers in Surrey and London, and to the editors who publish my work. I am a member of the Society of Authors and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
I write a free monthly newsletter with my Meet Us and Eat Us co-author Vilma Bharatan. We share our stories, research, recipes and photos. You are welcome to join the community.
Meet Us and Eat Us is in the research library at the Natural History Museum, and in the Barbican Library, London. We want our book to go out into the world and find new readers in shops, libraries, schools, and book fairs. We are happy to arrange talks and workshops, so if this would be of interest do get in touch. We are also available to discuss the book for print and online publications, radio, podcasts, and other media.
Here are two interviews about Meet Us and Eat Us on Radio Woking with Elaine McGinty and Brooklands Radio with Dave Jemitus.
I am working on new collections of poetry and prose.
I take part in open mics in Surrey and London, including Poetry & Pizza at Solar Sisters in Guildford, Write Out Loud at The Fiery Bird in Woking, and Paper Tiger Poetry at The Tea House Theatre in Vauxhall. All are welcome at these friendly events, whether you just want to listen or are ready to share your words.
As a lifelong bookworm and a bookseller of 15 years’ service, I am a confirmed recommender. On my Bookshop.org page you can browse and buy from the book lists I’ve curated. I will add my favourite discoveries throughout the year. All purchases support independent bookshops, and if you buy from my page I receive a small percentage of the sale.
Visit the print and online publications pages on this website to explore a variety of literary journals.
I am open to commissions, collaborations, writing residencies, readings and workshops. Feel free to contact me to discuss your ideas.
I am especially interested in work relating to environmental, conservation and community issues. My work engages with the climate and biodiversity crisis, food security, and celebrates nature to encourage a feeling of connection with other species and systems of life.
If you have enjoyed something I’ve written and would like to share a review, you are welcome to use the contact form below or tag me in your post on social media.
Keep in touch on social media.