Photo credit: Adrian Bullers | Interview by Zoë Brigley The Roman poet Horace was right to recommend holding back your work for several years before publishing it. You get a better sense of its value… Sea Urchins Cape Ann, Massachusetts We have trampled those delicate eggs of the night, the sea urchins, fragments of a…
Spring 2022 Launches
To celebrate the publication of Spring 2022 Vol 57 No 3 (and after the success of our Earth Day launch), we are hosting two more launches featuring readings and conversations with poets featured in the issue. Both events will be held on Zoom and tickets are free and available below All of our Zoom events…
Introducing Our New Reviews Editor: George Sandifer-Smith, How I Wrote ‘Sandwich inspector’
Poetry Wales is delighted to announce the appointment of our new Reviews Editor, George Sandifer-Smith. By way of introduction, George explains the process behind writing his poem ‘Sandwich inspector’ as well as his hopes and plans for reviews… Sandwich inspector Lunchtime is vital. Waft of delivered bread slowing into crouton fodder two aisles away as…
Spring 2022 Earth Day Launch: Friday 22nd April
This Friday, Poetry Wales is holding a special Zoom event for Earth Day to launch issue 57.3. The front cover is by environmental artist Barry Underwood and the issue features new writing about nature, the more-than-human, and environmental crisis. Readers will include: John Barnie Alexandra Corrin-Tachibana Graham Hartil Lynne Hjelmgaard Jane Houston Mike Jenkins Joshua Jones Jennifer Militello…
Wales Poetry Award 2021 Prizegiving Ceremony, recorded March 2022
Sponsored by Literature Wales If you weren’t able to make the live Zoom of our Wales Poetry Award 2021 Prizegiving, you can now watch a subtitled recording via our YouTube channel to hear all thirteen shortlisted poems read by their writers (and one by our editor Zoë Brigley, who stepped in for a poet on…
Stephanie Green: How I Wrote ‘To a Humpback Whale’
Interview by Zoë Brigley So the first few stanzas grew to a joyous Hallelujah, a dramatic climax describing the breach. And then things went horribly wrong. To a Humpback Whale Húsavík, Iceland) After Cal Freeman Dear blubber, glorious obesity, your tubercles like hairy warts. Dear blur on the sea’s surface and downward curve of your…
Dr Rhea Seren Phillips: How I Wrote ‘The Book of Plants and Insults’
Interview by Zoë Brigley “I take the position of observer, and my creative practise then unleashes an energy which has its own personality. I wouldn’t trust it with a butter knife, let alone anything else“ The Book of Plants and Insults Abide tranquillity, boy. Must not seize coiling phlox to classify Πανδώρα. chocolate-eyed merch dives…
Submissions FAQ
Frequently asked questions about our submissions process. If your question is not answered on this page, please feel free to email us at submissions@poetrywales.co.ukions Do you accept submissions? Yes, but only during certain times of the year, when our submissions window is open. You can find out about our latest call for submissions on our…
Kate North: How I Wrote ‘Blood-Children-Prayer’
Interview by Zoë Brigley Upon reflection, I took [inspiration for a verse] from one of those sonic memories that we all have buried deep in our neurological pathways. I think I use them a lot in my writing. Blood-Children-Prayer I remember the day our whole house came on its period, including the men who were…