Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 14h

In our Forward Prizes 2025 How I Did It series, Isabelle Baafi reflects on writing ‘Piggy’ from her debut Chaotic Good — a contrapuntal poem born from horror, double consciousness & the search for truth.

Read her story: poetryschool.com/how...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 15h

How do poets write for children? ✨

In our latest blog, Kathryn Simmonds shares how to captivate young readers through rhythm, surprise, & collaboration with illustrators — plus tips for poets curious about picture books.

Read more: poetryschool.com/how...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 1d

Mimorian began as an experiment — I joined a Spanish-language poetry class after 10 years away from the language. Through Carlos Drummond’s Resíduo, I found a way to write about memory, loss & what little of us remains. From that, Heirloom grew.

poetryschool.com/how...

The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 21d

Huge congratulations to Katrina Porteous, who is the 2025 Laurel Prize winner. 🌿

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 21d

Laurel Prize ceremony live-stream starting now:

💻: poetryschool.com/lau...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 21d

Laurel Prize ceremony live-stream starting in 30 minutes, at 5.30pm (BST)

💻: poetryschool.com/lau...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 21d

Laurel Prize ceremony live-stream starting today at 5.30pm (BST)

💻: poetryschool.com/lau...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 22d

📢 We’re hiring!

The Poetry School is seeking a Marketing & Communications Manager (Maternity Cover) to join our team for 12 months. £30k FTE | Hybrid (London/Leeds + home).

🗓️ Apply by Mon 6 Oct, 9am
🔗 Full details: poetryschool.com/ope...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 22d

Katrina Porteous – Laurel Prize: Below the Surface 🌍

On Rhizodont:
“These poems grow from years of thinking about my coastal home, science, and the voices of community projects. They weave together landscape, people, and place.”

🔗 Full piece: poetryschool.com/lau...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 22d

Eliza O’Toole – Laurel Prize: Below the Surface 🌍

On A Cranic of Ordinaries (@shearsmanbooks):
“99% of writing is thinking. My practice is a lifetime of voluminous reading—law, botany, philosophy, etymologies—all percolating into poetry.”

🔗 Full piece: poetryschool.com/lau...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 23d

Carol Watts – Laurel Prize: Below the Surface 🌍

On Mimic Pond:
“Poetry has always been a place I go to. From childhood rhythms of prayer + countryside, through Wordsworth, Clare, Riley + Niedecker—poems began to pour out in sequences.”

🔗 Full piece: poetryschool.com/lau...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 23d

🌍 Announcing our 2025 Laurel Poet-in-Residence!

We’re thrilled to welcome Manisha Dhesi, who will join the Laurel Prize weekend + write a commissioned eco-themed poem.

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 23d

JR Carpenter – Laurel Prize: Below the Surface 🌍

On Measures of Weather:
“Writing is noticing + noting. Rocks, seeds, photos—all count as notes. The space between noticing + noting is where the real writing happens.”

🔗 Full piece: poetryschool.com/lau...

Winner live Fri 19 Sept, 5.30pm BST

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · 23d

Judith Beveridge – Laurel Prize: Below the Surface 🌍

On her collection Tintinnabulum (@giramondobooks.bsky.social):
“I don’t start with an idea—the poem emerges from small things, a birdcall, a phrase, a run of syllables.”

🔗 poetryschool.com/lau...

| Winner live Fri 19 Sep, 5.30pm BST

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 7

Starting out in poetry? 🌱 Explore our Autumn 2025 courses for beginners & emerging poets. Find your voice + join a vibrant community.

👉 poetryschool.com/the...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 6

🌿 50% off Global Majority Writing from the British Countryside — a new online poetry masterclass with Louisa Adjoa Parker, starting Sept 2025. Details & booking →

Global Majority Writing from the British Countryside: A Poetry Masterclass • Poetry School

Explore themes of migration, colonialism, and Empire, alongside relationships with the natural environment and the different experiences people have of contemporary countryside life with Louisa Adjoa Parker on this new course.

poetryschool.com

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 6

📚 Katrina Naomi @katrinanaomipoet.bsky.social on How to Get Your Poetry Published + details of her Oct 2025 course What Makes a Collection? → poetryschool.com/the...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 6

🍂 New Autumn 2025 poetry courses: sonnets, form, feedback & advanced workshops. Explore & book here →

Form, Freedom, & Falling Leaves • Poetry School

Poetry Courses: Form, Freedom, & Falling Leaves. Master the art of poetry this Autumn 2025. Explore sonnets, structured forms and more.

poetryschool.com

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 6

✒️ Stav Poleg on Writing After Rimbaud — how reading the greats can transform your poetry. Read the blog → poetryschool.com/the...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 6

🔥 New advanced poetry courses for Autumn 2025 — masterclasses, seminars & workshops for serious writers. Explore & apply here →

poetryschool.com/the...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 5

🌍 New on the Poetry School blog: Elizabeth Torres (Madam Neverstop) on writing about the climate crisis, eco-poetics & poetry as survival.
Read here → poetryschool.com/how...

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 5

✨ New Poetry School courses for Autumn 2025 ✨
Poetry as ritual, care, grief, resilience & renewal.

Explore the full programme + book here: poetryschool.com/the...

#Poetry #CreativeWriting #PoetrySchool

The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 4

We’re looking for a dynamic, strategic leader with Arts Council reporting experience, a passion for poetry, and strong communication skills.

🗓 Apply by Mon 22 Sept 2025, 9am
💻 Interviews w/c 29 Sept

Application details: poetryschool.com/ope...

#ArtsJobs #PoetrySchool #CreativeCareers #Hiring

We're Hiring! - Artistic Director & Joint CEO (Maternity Cover) • Poetry School

The Poetry School are looking to hire an Artistic Director & Joint CEO for maternity cover to join our team. Read the job description here.

poetryschool.com

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 4

📢 We’re Hiring!

The Poetry School is seeking an Artistic Director & Joint CEO (Maternity Cover) for a 12-month, part-time role (3 or 3.5 days per week).

💷 £60–65k FTE (pro rata)
📍 Hybrid – London (Somerset House) / Leeds (1 City Square)

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The Poetry School @poetryschool.bsky.social · Sep 3

🌿✨ Watch the Laurel Prize Ceremony 2025 live! ✨🌿

📖 Finalist readings
👩‍⚖️ Judges: Kathleen Jamie, Daljit Nagra & Caroline Lucas
🏆 Winner revealed live

📅 Fri 19 Sept 2025
🕠 5.30pm (BST)

👉 Sign up here: poetryschool.com/cou...

#LaurelPrize #Ecopoetry #PoetryCommunity #ClimatePoetry

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