Here's a link to the finalists at the Manchester Poetry Prize. The winner will be announced on October 19th, but Antiphon and I were wondering what you thought of the finalists' work, and whether you had any thoughts on who should win, in your opinion.
Perhaps you have thoughts more broadly on poetry competitions in general? The prize at Manchester asks for a selection of poems for the judges to consider, rather than everything hanging on a single poem, and the judging panel consists of three poets, this year: Ian Duhig, Frances Leviston and Adam O'Riordan.
The finalists' work is available via the link above. Let us know what you think.
Thursday 11 October 2012
Swamp Area
In November (12pm Wednesday 7th) we'll be discussing Alistair Noon's Swamp Area, a pamphlet published by Longbarrow Press. You can order copies from the website for £4 inc P&P
There are recordings of Alistair Noon reading his work available on line, as well as a review of his work by Susie Wild.
This is the first time we've looked at a pamphlet in the group, so it would be good to hear what we think about the format, as well as the poetry. It's been said in recent years that the pamphlet is making a comeback, possibly because there is less investment required from publishers, and so less risk? Perhaps people are more easily persuaded to part with £4 rather than £10.
On the other hand, bookshops have found it difficult to merchandise pamphlets effectively, alongside full collections, maybe because often pamphlets don't have a spine, and so need to be facing out to get noticed, which takes up a lot more shelf space.
What's interesting about pamphlets, I think, is the flexibility of the form, that they can be designed to complement the content, perhaps more easily than full-length books. They are already removed from the mainstream expectations of the book; they are competing for attention on different terms.
The act of designing and making the pamphlet is then an extension of the creative act, and the outcome will perhaps have more in common with the artist book genre, than mainstream publishing. However, this level of attention can become labour intensive, and so perhaps few publishers are willing to experiment, and realise the full potential of the form. The need to generate revenue can't be ignored, if a press is to survive, and go on to publish more work.
The pamphlet can focus its attention, be an exploration of a specific theme. At the last meeting, we discussed The Water Table, in relation to a concept album. We talked about the skill of spending a full collection circling a subject, the difficulties of keeping an idea new across a substantial body of work. Perhaps the pamphlet can lend itself to the concept album analogy, if not an LP, then perhaps an EP?
We'll discuss Noon until 1pm, and then move on to the workshop. Bring copies of your poem as usual, 8 still seems a reasonable number, I think. Ten if you're feeling lush.
Angelina
There are recordings of Alistair Noon reading his work available on line, as well as a review of his work by Susie Wild.
This is the first time we've looked at a pamphlet in the group, so it would be good to hear what we think about the format, as well as the poetry. It's been said in recent years that the pamphlet is making a comeback, possibly because there is less investment required from publishers, and so less risk? Perhaps people are more easily persuaded to part with £4 rather than £10.
On the other hand, bookshops have found it difficult to merchandise pamphlets effectively, alongside full collections, maybe because often pamphlets don't have a spine, and so need to be facing out to get noticed, which takes up a lot more shelf space.
What's interesting about pamphlets, I think, is the flexibility of the form, that they can be designed to complement the content, perhaps more easily than full-length books. They are already removed from the mainstream expectations of the book; they are competing for attention on different terms.
The act of designing and making the pamphlet is then an extension of the creative act, and the outcome will perhaps have more in common with the artist book genre, than mainstream publishing. However, this level of attention can become labour intensive, and so perhaps few publishers are willing to experiment, and realise the full potential of the form. The need to generate revenue can't be ignored, if a press is to survive, and go on to publish more work.
The pamphlet can focus its attention, be an exploration of a specific theme. At the last meeting, we discussed The Water Table, in relation to a concept album. We talked about the skill of spending a full collection circling a subject, the difficulties of keeping an idea new across a substantial body of work. Perhaps the pamphlet can lend itself to the concept album analogy, if not an LP, then perhaps an EP?
We'll discuss Noon until 1pm, and then move on to the workshop. Bring copies of your poem as usual, 8 still seems a reasonable number, I think. Ten if you're feeling lush.
Angelina
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