Young Poets Writers’ Day: Putting together a pamphlet submission
Saturday 3rd Feb 2018 – 10.30 to 4.30pm at The Poetry Business, Sheffield
Application deadline: Midnight Monday 15th January 2018
Are you a young poet in South Yorkshire, between the ages of 17 and 24?
Do you have a number of strong poems that you’d like to shape into a pamphlet submission for the New Poets Prize, but feel unsure how to go about it?
Hive have teamed up with purveyors of fine contemporary poetry, The Poetry Business, to offer a writing and editing day for young poets in the region at a stage where they would like to take their poetry further. This is an exciting opportunity to help you shape a body of work and receive expert advice and tutoring from poet and co-director of The Poetry Business, Peter Sansom. The intensive day will involve looking a previous pamphlets, discussing existing poems, and writing new work. You’ll be given an introduction to The Poetry Business and tips on strengthening and building on a potential pamphlet submission.
Participants will receive a free Poetry Business Pamphlet in the run up which they will be asked to read to feedback on as part of the day’s activities.
For more about the New Poets Award (deadline 1st March 2018), click here.
Cost: The day costs just £6 included refreshments (but not lunch), and a free Poetry Business Pamphlet worth £5. This fee can be reduced or waived if it is in any way a barrier. Places limited.
Who can apply?
You must be between 17 to 24 years of age on 1st March 2018 (the deadline for the New Poets Prize), and living, or with a parental home address, in South Yorkshire. (If that’s not you, but you live elsewhere in the North and are interested in this kind of opportunity, do get in touch anyway, in case we can signpost you to futher opportunities in future.)
We are always keen to hear from young writers from diverse backgrounds, and those who feel they wouldn’t normally access this kind of opportunity. If you are unsure whether you’re at a stage where you’re ready to apply, drop Vicky a line to discuss, at: [email protected]
To apply:
Send 5 to 7 of your best poems of any length (in one word document), each starting a new page, with a statement of interest on the first page – no longer than 400 words, including why you would like to be considered for this opportunity, your experience of poetry so far, any writing aspirations you’d like to share, and anything else you’re like us to know.
Send your application to [email protected] by midnight 15th January 2018
The Poetry Business publishes books, pamphlets and audio under the Smith/Doorstop imprint, and new imprint The New Poets List. They also publish literary magazine The North, and run Writing Days, the Writing School, and the original Book and Pamphlet Competition.
Peter Sansom is a poet and tutor, and co-directs the Poetry Business along with his wife, the poet Ann Sansom. He has published six books of poetry include On the Pennine Way (Littlewood, 1988) and Careful What You Wish For (Carcanet, 2015). He is also the author of the influential book, Writing Poems (Bloodaxe 1994). Peter co-edits The North Magazine and Smith/Doorstop Books. His poetry commissions include work for The Guardian, The Observer, Radio Three, and a billboard in the centre of Lancaster.