Angela Topping was born in 1954. After completing two English degrees at Liverpool University, marrying in 1976, she worked unhappily in the Civil Service, having steadfastly ignored all career advice because she wanted to be writer.

Her first collection was published in 1988 by Stride, three years after giving birth to her second daughter. The book led to involvement in education on several levels – poets in schools, evening class teaching and part time work in F.E. In 1992, she found herself teaching English full time in secondary school, moving schools after six years to her current post, on completion of her M.Ed. in Arts in Education.

A New and Selected poems, The Fiddle, was published in 1999. She also edited The Least Thing, an anthology of Christian Poetry, and Making Connections, a festschrift for Matt Simpson. Her own work continued to appear in anthologies such as Frankenstein’s Daughter, Poet’s England and New Christian Poetry.
Her interest in children’s writing also flourished and her work is widely published in anthologies for children. She continues to promote a love of literature every day, and tells pupils that poetry is chocolate for the mind.

If you want moving elegies and consolations, go to Angela Topping.
Matt Simpson



 

The New Generation, a poetry book for children of all ages, Just about out from SALT. Can be ordered from Amazon and Salt's own website. Among the whimsy that sometimes passes for children's poetry, Angela Topping's new book stands out. It is witty and technically inventive. Like most of the best poetry, it stands at a slight angle to the world. Fred Sedgwick

Angela Topping
All Angela’s books are covered here and reviews are included. There is a sample of poems from each collection and links to where books can be purchased. There is also information about how to book Angela.

Angela Topping's Blog
This is where I blog, updated frequently.