never knowingly without a pen
Leafing through the jottings in my Winchester Poetry Festival notebook, I see that I wrote down some of the comments Sinéad Morrissey made, before she read amazing poems, all new work, from her next collection (out in 2017). "We're in a toxic revolution," the poet said, referring to the Northern Ireland Department of Arts and Culture being replaced by… Continue reading Home thoughts about Winchester Poetry Festival
Two of the poets reading at this year's Winchester Poetry Festival have been shortlisted for The Forward Prize for Best Collection 2016. Choman Hardi has been shortlisted for her collection Considering the Women (Bloodaxe Books) and Ian Duhig has been shortlisted for his collection The Blind Roadmaker (Picador Poetry). Choman Hardi will read at the festival on Saturday 8th… Continue reading Winchester Poetry Festival Poets Feature in Forward Prize Lists
I haven't been to that many (Swindon, Reading, Winchester, Aldeburgh, to be exact) but, so far, I've enjoyed all of them. Hearing poets read their own work reminds me of hearing my favourite tunes at a live concert. The anecdotes you hear between poems are also, usually, very interesting and entertaining and often offer insights into… Continue reading In praise of poetry festivals
Josephine Corcoran 