By Anita Foxall. Modern Poetry and Frank: Sonnets were my first encounters with Diane Seuss’s poetry, both Fitzcarraldo Editions published in February this year which I picked up from Southampton’s own October Books. This Michigan born poet grabbed my attention as soon as I started reading the first...
Articles with the Tag poetry
Hampshire Young Poets Competition returns for 2025 with the theme Friendship
Winchester Poetry Festival and Hampshire Cultural Trust are working together once more to encourage young people in Hampshire to express themselves through poetry, in the Hampshire Young Poets Competition 2025. This year’s theme is ‘Friendship’ and young people from across Hampshire are asked to write a poem of no...
Poetry: focus on Southampton poets Srishti Agarwal and David Spencer
By Anita Foxall. The Southampton spoken word scene continues to be buzzing with fresh talent. These two poets have brought their unique voices and captivating performances to Write a Note recently, and now share a little of their work here with you. Srishti Agarwal Srishti Agarwal is of...
Write a Note welcomes new poets
By Anita Foxall. Southampton is a city of culture, regardless of any formal titles, that is incontestable. As host of Write a Note, I have the privilege of welcoming poets and writers to share their work on a monthly basis, but I also attend and take part in other...
Review: October Books’ open mic poetry
By Laura McCarthy. October Books’ open mic poetry evening is a monthly event, hosted by the Southampton bookshop on the third Friday of every month, with the next being on Friday 18th October. I went along to the September event. So, what can you expect? Initially, I had no...
New ‘Kathryn Bevis Prize’ to celebrate the best poem from Hampshire entered into Winchester Poetry Prize 2024
In Winchester Poetry Prize’s ninth year, the ‘Kathryn Bevis Prize’ has been introduced to celebrate the best poem entered by a writer based in Hampshire. It will be judged by this year’s competition judge, Clare Shaw. The ‘Kathryn Bevis Prize’ winner will receive £150, plus three one-day poetry workshops...
Review: Be Bright Be Bold by Rich Lansley
By Anita Foxall. Be Bright Be Bold is Rich Lansley’s first poetry collection. To support his publication he has also compiled a performance show where he reads some of his poems, but also engages with the audience with his warmth and wit. Rich’s poetry has been described as charming...
Book Review: Vague Wisdom by Will Vigar
By Anita Foxall Will Vigar’s new poetry collection, Vague Wisdom, should be top of your shopping list if you are looking for a good poetry book. It is rich in images and memories, some borrowed from art and cinema, some very personal. Poetry has always been present in his...
Winchester Poetry Festival 2023 attracted participants from across the globe
Image: Isabelle Baafi – Winchester Poetry Prize 2023 winner. The first full Winchester Poetry Festival weekend since the pandemic proved that poetry still excites and delights people of all ages. Almost 1000 tickets were sold, with many events reaching capacity. This year attendees travelled to Winchester from all over...
Preview: Susanna Wallumrød & Stina Stjern, Turner Sims, Southampton
Discover Susanna Wallumrød’s magical interpretations of Baudelaire’s poetry, when she comes to Turner Sims on Saturday 4 March at 8pm. Norwegian artist Susanna is a creator of bold, original and enrapturing music, capable of building worlds to lose yourself in. Based in Oslo, the singer/songwriter and artist formed her...