Dear British Poets
I've been following the discussions for a couple of months now and thought
it might be time to test the water and say hello, especially as some members
have been clamouring for the women to pitch in. I'm part of Bloodaxe's
forthcoming output (first book out in 2000) and won an Eric Gregory Award in
1997. I'm based very much in the Oxford poetry scene (even though I'm not
Oxbridge myself) and so I'm very interested by the debate that's been raging
about trying to be more inclusive, both in these discussions and in poetry
generally. It seems to me that a lot of academic discussion about poetry is
trailing behind what's actually going on out there: Bloodaxe for instance
has published a lot of very exciting new stuff in recent years by all manner
of 'excluded' types and in doing so has invigorated British poetry: however
much of what it and other progressive publishers are doing is largely
ignored. The fact that we need to ask for a list of names of new women poets
says it all! Much academic discussion that I come across simply isn't
interested in finding out what's new.
I can add some names to the three Ivy gave. How about Jane Holland, Kate
Clanchy, Tracey Herd? Surely the list has heard of these people, even if you
don't like their stuff? I'd love some debate about their work though, rather
than just a polite list.
Best wishes, nice to meet you all,
Polly Clark
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|