‘Sunlight Later’

Praise for ‘Sunlight Later’

“This collection holds a whole radiant, redemptive world."
★★★★★

"Jo Matthews is a master of cataloging the everyday with painterly lyricism. Waves of grief, tenderness, exhaustion and staccatoed anxieties merge into the poems rhythmic movements. Matthews makes a music all her own. This collection holds a whole radiant, redemptive world."

—Laura Wetherington, Author of ‘A Map Predetermined and Chance’ and ‘Little Machines’
"In 'Sunlight Later', Matthews illuminates the aches and wonders of aging, motherhood and relationships with lyrical precision and disarming honesty. Her imagery is gorgeous - she captures 'the beauty of the moment, the beauty of the little things' while simultaneously acknowledging how hard it is to pay attention amid our endless striving'

—Sarah Carriger , Founder and Director of the International Writers’ Collective
"There's a striking core in 'Sunlight Later' that anchors this collection - a lyric honesty that is both raw and tender as it explores roots of the past as well as small moments and little epiphanies in a mad, compelling present. Matthews' rhythms are richly woven with her distinct blend of poise and passion."

—Michelle Lin, Writing teacher and poetry editor
"I've just finished the first of many reads of Sunlight Later and it's just so good. So beautifully written but with such a rawness...a sort of honest power that I find hard to pin down. There were moments where I really had to pause to collect myself and then moments of such beautiful evocation."

—Reader Review
"This is a wonderful book of poems that highlights the honest contrasts of life’s challenges whilst also noticing the quiet moments that make it all worthwhile. These poems show a vulnerability that is brave and real."

—Reader Review
'I cried and laughed out loud as I read and re-read these poems. There's so much in them - so much that feels close, that you've captured so well. It's really a beautiful piece of work."

—Reader Review

‘Stolen Child’

Available early 2027

‘Sunlight Later’

Discover my debut poetry chapbook, published by Cathexis Northwest Press.

“This collection holds a whole radiant, redemptive world."
★★★★★

"Jo Matthews is a master of cataloging the everyday with painterly lyricism. Waves of grief, tenderness, exhaustion and staccatoed anxieties merge into the poems rhythmic movements. Matthews makes a music all her own. This collection holds a whole radiant, redemptive world."

"I've just finished the first of many reads of Sunlight Later and it's just so good. So beautifully written but with such a rawness...a sort of honest power that I find hard to pin down. There were moments where I really had to pause to collect myself and then moments of such beautiful evocation."

"This is a wonderful book of poems that highlights the honest contrasts of life’s challenges whilst also noticing the quiet moments that make it all worthwhile. These poems show a vulnerability that is brave and real."

'I cried and laughed out loud as I read and re-read these poems. There's so much in them - so much that feels close, that you've captured so well. It's really a beautiful piece of work."

‘Stolen Child’

Winner of the 2026 Beyond Words Poetry Chapbook Award.

‘Sunlight Later’

Discover my debut poetry chapbook, published by Cathexis Northwest Press.

“This collection holds a whole radiant, redemptive world."★★★★★

"Jo Matthews is a master of cataloging the everyday with painterly lyricism. Waves of grief, tenderness, exhaustion and staccatoed anxieties merge into the poems rhythmic movements. Matthews makes a music all her own. This collection holds a whole radiant, redemptive world."

"I've just finished the first of many reads of Sunlight Later and it's just so good. So beautifully written but with such a rawness...a sort of honest power that I find hard to pin down. There were moments where I really had to pause to collect myself and then moments of such beautiful evocation."

"This is a wonderful book of poems that highlights the honest contrasts of life’s challenges whilst also noticing the quiet moments that make it all worthwhile. These poems show a vulnerability that is brave and real."

'I cried and laughed out loud as I read and re-read these poems. There's so much in them - so much that feels close, that you've captured so well. It's really a beautiful piece of work."

‘Stolen Child’

Winner of the 2026 Beyond Words Poetry Chapbook Award.

“This collection holds a whole radiant, redemptive world."
★★★★★