Penarth Poet Alba Linden Receives Praise for Debut Poetry Collection

Linden, who has enjoyed a successful career in the arts and holistic therapy, shared that writing has always been her primary passion. She stated, "I grew up in a creative family, who were always encouraging in various artistic ways of expression. I was reading and writing at an early age, and I loved writing poems and short stories. When I turned nine, I got a typewriter for my birthday, which became a treasured possession. My uncle was also a poet, and I only recently realised how much he encouraged and inspired me as a child."

Shoulders of Giants includes 27 poems that delve into themes of loss and grief, as well as the exhilaration of finding new love. Linden credits Sophie Buchaillard, a fellow Welsh writer, as the inspiration behind her decision to publish her work. "I was reading Painting over the Cracks by Sophie Buchaillard, and it had a huge impact on me. It inspired me to revisit my old poems, and it gave me the courage to take the next step of reclaiming my voice."

Linden explains that her collection centers on navigating the journey through loss and grief to ultimately achieve clarity, strength, and a sense of rebirth. She views poetry as an abstract painting, noting that different readers interpret it in their own unique ways.

In addition to her writing, Linden advocates for LGBTQ+ awareness and conducts creative writing and art workshops. Her poetry collection is available for purchase at Griffin Books in Penarth and online through Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats. More information about her work can be found at albalindenauthor.com.