Poetry News: Review of 2016

As another year ages, it’s always amazing to recap just how much can happen in such a short window. New Makar Jackie Kay has been in residence for 10 months, and (as far as I can see) has thrilled pretty much everyone with her warmth and enthusiasm for the role – an achievement in itself, when so much of the literary scene tends to be divided by opinion.

It’s been a wonderful year for live events; I spent one of the best weeks of my year at the Edinburgh Book Festival last summer, imbibing all of Unbound's free evening delights in the Spiegeltent on top of the ticketed shows, experiencing everything from combined spoken word and music to the art of printing poetry. What with the Ilkley Literature Festival flourishing as ever, StAnza in St Andrews taking on greater challenges every year in its efforts to connect the global poetry scene live over the web, and smaller festival stars like Dundee and the new-born Bradford rising ever higher, Scotland and the North of England are packing one hell of a punch on the festival scene. I mention not only to reminisce on 2016 but to encourage you to plot them into your 2017 diaries.

It’s been especially pleasing to watch so many interesting new collaborations between poets and musicians this year. Neu! Reekie! recently came together to release Emelle’s new album, and we have also seen the beginning of new projects like Flint & Pitch, which is already making massive leaps and breaking down creative barriers with revue shows at The Bongo Club and variety nights at The Lyceum.

Speaking of rising stars, another starter brought to my attention this month was Orton – a new, free online community designed to offer a more accessible path to writing and publishing success, while giving members the feedback they need to get their written work to industry standard. An ideal opportunity to get your poetry out there in the public sphere. As CEO Beth Cleavy explains, it was born, like many projects, of frustration. 

“I started with a group called Manchester Writer’s Circle,” she says. “We meet, chat about our work, share our frustrations, and inspire each other to get into the writing mindset. I found that I was not the only one struggling to be noticed. Most of them describe the writing industry as ‘luck’ and say they have received rejection letters from publishers, which give very little feedback on how they can improve their work. I then looked into more established writers, and couldn’t believe just how many authors had been rejected, from HG Wells to JK Rowling... It’s all about letting the readers decide what they want to read, not the publishers.” 

Poetry gifts for Christmas

As it’s the season of giving, and many of you will be scouting out poetry collections to gift to unsuspecting friends and relations, I thought now was the time to compile a list of my own personal favourite reads this year. Like toiletries, everyone will have their own preferred scents. Unlike toiletries, if given wisely these aren’t going to end up in the ‘present cupboard.’ Some are new on the scene, some rather less so, but I think they’re all definitely worth a read.

Falling Awake by Alice Oswald [Vintage, £10]

A gorgeous collection incorporating mythology and the everyday in nature, including a long poem about Tithonius written around the time lapse between sunrises. Oswald’s tone manages to both declare and haver around the ethereal – a rare and beautiful voice.

Brother by Matthew and Michael Dickman [Faber & Faber, £10.99]

A moving tribute to a sibling and a harrowing exploration of grief through the eyes of two brothers, who take one half each of this collection.

Fugitive Colours by Liz Lochhead [Birlinn, £9.99] 

I adore the sincerity of these poems, and their humorously plainspoken way of dealing with loss and love. This is the latest of Lochhead’s collections, after a long gap.

Say Something Back by Denise Riley [Pan Macmillan, £9.99]

Another tribute to a loved one who has passed on, this time to a son. Lyrical and haunting, these poems have a soft music which stays with you for a long time afterwards. 

I Must Be Living Twice by Eileen Myles [Profile, £14.99]

A new compilation of vintage and fresh Myles, this is a fantastic voice for anyone who likes to tell life exactly like it is, using primary colours and a big dollop of laughs without skimping on the grit.

The Map and the Clock compiled by Carol Ann Duffy and Gillian Clarke [Faber & Faber, £20] 

This year’s shiny box of delights does not disappoint, and is a must-read for anyone into their history and folk songs.