The Ware Poets' Competition 2015

Last night I attended the reading and celebration of the Ware Poets' competition for 2015, which I judged. I like a number of aspects of this competition. In addition to the prizewinners, another fifteen or so poems can be highly commended, and all 23 poems, in this case, were published in a slim anthology. At the celebration, the first half is devoted to the reading of all 23 poems: where the poets themselves couldn't be present, different members of Ware Poets read the poems--and read them well, no one having responsibility for more than a single poem and apparently practiced. It meant all 23 were treated like winners--as is only right when they constitute the top 2% of the poems submitted! (In the second half, I read from Imagined Sons.)

There are also no sifters for the Ware Poets' competition: I saw every single poem. I think that allows for a greater range among the chosen poems. Anyway, congratulations to all 23 winners, with my thanks for your work!

Judging the Forward Prizes, Reading Differently

As a university lecturer and further education tutor for the last twenty years, with a focus on teaching creative writing, I have developed my ability to read appreciatively. I've come to start my workshops with "What do we like?" because I want to use that immediate, almost unthought initial response as a starting point. 

Reading for the Forward Prizes requires a different approach, that of reading for excellence. In poetry it consists of many elements, including linguistic precision, musicality, and depth of thought. I think reading nearly 200 books like this will make me a better teacher and a better reviewer--or so I hope. I've certainly already perceived a development in my thought, in my sense of my own poetics as well as what I look for in others' poetry. The two poems I worked on on the flight to the States ten days ago differ markedly from my previous writing--they're a lot longer, and one combines lines and prose, something I've never really done before. Whatever is yet to come, judging the Forward Prizes has been one of the most challenging pleasures I've experienced in a long time. 

Judging the Forward Prize

The word's been out a week now, I think, that I will be one of the five judges for this year's Forward prizes in poetry. My fellow judges are A.L. Kennedy (chair), Colette Bryce, Emma Harding and Warsan Shire. I've just finished reading my first box of books, and the second came today, with more sure to follow. I'm enjoying becoming acquainted with poets and presses I hadn't known before and keeping a list of a wonderful array of potential poems for the anthology. What will happen to my own writing during such intense reading? I'll let you know!

The Mid-Somerset Festival's Creative Writing Day, 14 March 2015

This year I judged each of the 17 classes for the Mid-Somerset Festival's creative writing day. It was a pleasure to work with its co-directors, Jane Riekemann and Hilary Bufton. While I enjoyed the whole of the day Saturday, giving prizes and commenting on the winning entries, the best part was seeing young people taking pride in their writing and reading their work, often for the first time, to a public audience.

I asked Rebecca Sneyd, age 11, if I could publish her winning poem on my blog, and her father sent along this photo as well. She won both first prize in her age group as well as winner of the highest overall score for an under-18 entrant in creative writing.


Instructions

Touch the wooden gate warped with age as it swings open.

Walk up to the door under the arch of red roses, not picking them.

Do not touch anything that does not belong to you as you pass through the house.

In the wild woods, take care to lay a path of pearl-like stones, leading you home.

Beside the river, take the boat but do not look back.

Inside the castle, take care not to climb up the tower on a thick golden rope.

Remember not to trust the man with many names.

Do not eat the apples ripened rosy red.

Trust the princess of Crete, your dreams and your beliefs.

Ride the majestic winged horse, you will not fall.

Follow the yellow brick road back home and rest.

 

Rebecca Sneyd

 

 

 

You can learn more about the festival--eager for more creative writing entries next year--here: http://www.midsomersetfestival.org.uk/