Writers Magazine 2009

The shortlist for the

2009 T S Eliot Prize for Poetry

The Poetry Book Society has announced the shortlist for 'the world's top poetry award' (the Independent).

Judges Simon Armitage (Chair), Colette Bryce and Penelope Shuttle have chosen the following 10 collections from the 98 new books published in 2009 submitted by UK and Irish publishers:

Eiléan Ní Chuilleánain     The Sun-fish               Gallery

Fred D'Aguiar                     Continental Shelf       Carcanet

Jane Draycott                      Over                             Carcanet

Philip Gross                         The Water Table        Bloodaxe

Sinéad Morrissey              Through the Square  Window                                                                                         Carcanet

Sharon Olds                        One Secret Thing       Cape

Alice Oswald                       Weeds & Wild Flowers                                                                                             Faber

Christopher Reid                A Scattering                 Areté

George Szirtes                   The Burning of the Books and                                                   Other Poems                Bloodaxe

Hugo Williams                    West End Final              Faber

 

Simon Armitage said:

'We believe this to be the most wide-ranging shortlist for a poetry prize for a good number of years, one which reflects the scope, breadth and vitality of contemporary poetry.  From the extraordinary number of poetry titles to be published this year we have been most impressed and persuaded by poets who have pushed their level of craft to the next level, or, in some cases, have re-thought their entire approach to writing to produce uniquely invigorated work.  The books on this list are by poets who have dreamed and who have dared.'

T S Eliot Prize Readings

In the Southbank's Queen Elizabeth Hall at 7.30 on Sunday 17 January. The winner will be announced the following evening.

New T S Eliot Prize reading groups

New this year, the PBS is running the first T S Eliot Prize reading group scheme with sample poems, reading group discounts and an article on setting up a poetry reading group.

New Teachers’ Prize

The T S Eliot Prize Shadowing Scheme has a new Teachers' Prize for a review of a shortlisted title, a student poll and a competition for the best individual student’s rationale for their choice of winner. The poems can be downloaded from this page and go to www.emagazine.org.uk for the teachers’ guide and the online poll.  

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