Carl Peach

Carl Peach is a poet, author and award-winning public speaker based in Kettering, Northamptonshire, whose writing explores the complexities of human experience through a distinctive blend of humour, honesty and reflection.

Having rediscovered his passion for creative writing in middle age, Carl published his debut poetry collection, Man Up, in 2019. His second collection, Second Sight: Poems on Perception and Change, published in August 2026, draws upon his experiences of losing his sight and adapting to a world he now perceives very differently.

His poetry explores themes of love, loss, resilience, identity and the choices that shape our lives. Often deeply personal, sometimes humorous and occasionally provocative, his work invites readers to challenge assumptions, embrace vulnerability and discover meaning in unexpected places.

An enthusiastic advocate for the power of spoken words, Carl regularly performs his poetry and is the founding President of NN Clear Speakers, a Toastmasters club in Kettering. He is currently developing a one-man show combining poetry, storytelling and humour, with plans to bring his work to intimate theatre audiences in 2027.

A proud father of two daughters, Carl believes that although we cannot always control what happens to us, we can influence what happens next.

Second Sight

Poems on Perception and Change

We don’t always see the truth with our eyes. Sometimes, it takes second sight.

‘Second Sight’ is a collection of poems that explore perception, clarity, connection and change.

Written from lived experience and honest reflection, these poems invite you to look beyond the surface, to question what you see, and to discover deeper meaning in the moments that shape us.

Man Up

Poems on Vulnerability and Connection

What happens when a man discovers that the hardest person to understand is himself?

First published in 2019, ‘Man Up’ is an intimate, unflinching collection of poetry, micro-poetry and prose exploring the complexities of being human.

Written during a turbulent period of middle age, these deeply personal pieces confront heartbreak, grief, loneliness, mental health, unrequited love and the sometimes-uncomfortable truths we discover about ourselves.

Yet amid the darkness are moments of tenderness, wit and unexpected humour.

Now revisited and thoughtfully restructured into four thematic sections, this new edition preserves the honesty and raw vulnerability of the original writing while offering readers a clearer journey through loss, longing, memory and renewal.

At its heart, ‘Man Up’ challenges the very notion suggested by its title: that strength means suppressing emotion. Sometimes the bravest thing a man can do is admit how he really feels.

You can find out more about Carl and his writing from:

The recordings from the panels that Carl takes part in will be listed below…

These are free events but we’re raising money for local book-related charities and we’d be really grateful if you would donate whatever you afford via the Charities & Donate page. Thank you so much.