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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · 19d

Meet the Poets continues! We’re now moving into our next category: the Forward Prize for Best Collection. First up is Juana Adcock, whose collection I Sugar the Bones (@outspokenldn) is shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Forward Prize. 🔗 buff.ly/ZakZSOE

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · 23d

Poetry lovers, this one’s for you! ✨📚 Join us at #ContainsStrongLanguage for the Forward Prizes Showcase, where boundary-pushing poets take the stage to share work that’s bold, brilliant, and unforgettable.
🔗 Book now: buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbccslfest @bbcarts

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · 25d

Don’t miss the Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage — a celebration of the most vital voices in contemporary poetry. Step into an afternoon of powerful performances from poets featured in the 2025 Forward Book of Poetry. 🔗 Book now: buff.ly/bQ1TsRm

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · 26d

Rounding off our Meet the Poets series for Best Single Poem – Written is Nick Makoha, shortlisted for ‘Codex©’. Fusing personal history, diaspora, and artistic legacy, this poem is a meditative reflection on identity, memory, and cultural ownership. buff.ly/gi3JNZr

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · 27d

Next up in the series is Claire Lynn, shortlisted for her poem ‘Live Stream’. This poem is a quiet meditation on observation, community, and the rhythms of care—both human and wild.
Read the full interview via this link: buff.ly/ZCYcNDQ

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · 28d

There’s still time to join us at #ContainsStrongLanguage! 🎉📖 The event celebrates the best new poetry from the Forward Prizes 2025. Book your free tickets & see the full festival lineup here:
🔗 buff.ly/bQ1TsRm
@bbcarts @bbccslfest

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · 29d

Next up is Tim Tim Cheng, shortlisted for their poem ‘Girl Ghosts’, blending memory, myth, and migration. The poem is a polyvocal exploration of girlhood, cultural inheritance, and the fractured stories passed down through generations. Full interview: buff.ly/tIUjmao

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Sep 8

REMINDER! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
The Forward Prizes Ceremony 2025 🎉
📅 Sunday 26 October | 🕢 7:30pm | 📍 Southbank Centre
🎟️ Tickets on sale now: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/for...
#ForwardPrizes #PoetryLive #SouthbankCentre #UKPoetry #PoetryAwards #SpokenWord

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Sep 8

We are proud to reannounce the exceptional shortlist for the Forward Prize for Best Collection, celebrating the finest in contemporary poetry.
Congratulations once again to all the poets and publishers!

🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM

#ForwardPrizes

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Sep 8

We are excited to reintroduce the powerful shortlist for the Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection, honouring remarkable debut voices in poetry.
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM
#ForwardPrizes

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Sep 8

We are thrilled to share once again the outstanding shortlist for the Forward Prize for the Best Single Poem – Performed category
Huge congratulations again to all!
🔗 Full shortlist: forwardartsfoundation.org/forward-priz...
#ForwardPrizes

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Sep 8

We are delighted to reannounce the shortlist for the Forward Prize for the Best Single Poem – Written category.
Congratulations to all the shortlisted poets!
🔗 Full shortlist: buff.ly/FJ2m0TM

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Sep 4

Next up in Best Single Poem – Written: Tom Branfoot, shortlisted for ‘A Parliament of Jets’, a powerful long-form poem exploring global conflict and ecological destruction. Read the full poem via this link: forwardartsfoundation.org/poem/a-parli...

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Sep 2

Meet the Poets continues – we’re now in the Best Single Poem – Written category! First up: Abeer Ameer, shortlisted for ‘at least’, a haunting meditation on violence, memory, and how we speak about loss. Read the full poem via this link: buff.ly/WpoMcE1

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Sep 1

As the final spotlight on poems for the summer, here are some beautiful lines from My Friends by @arundhathi.subramaniam@bloodaxebooks - and for more incredible poems, why not discover the Forward Prizes shortlist buff.ly/i67GTxe

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 31

We’re holding a Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage and all events are now bookable for the @bbccslfest festival in Bradford on 18-21 September. Run by @bbcarts, @wordupnorth and @bradford_2025, there are over 50 FREE events! Book now: buff.ly/bHdNUC9

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 29

Our summer holiday poetry series continues with a few wonderful lines from Lazarus Taxa by John Burnside. Burnside, who passed away last year, left a legacy of language that continues to move and inspire, and if you're only just discovering this poet you've got a treat in store. @penguinukbooks

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 25

Week three of our summer holiday poetry series takes us seaside again, this time with luminous lines by Emma Jeremy (@emmajanejeremy). If the rhythm of these words pulls you in like the tide, why not explore the full poem and connect with both poet and publisher. @emmajanejeremy @out_spoken_press

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 24

There’s still time for you to join us for the Forward Prizes Showcase at #ContainsStrongLanguage! Expect bold voices, fresh perspectives, and unforgettable performances. 🎟 FREE – but booking required! Link:https://buff.ly/YYETf4w

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 20

Next up in our Meet the Poets series is Goonie by Michael Mullen (Corsair), shortlisted for this year’s Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection. Goonie explores the balance between page and stage poetry. Read the interview here: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 18

Next in our Meet The Poets series: Altar by Desree (@badbettypress), a powerful debut exploring sacrifice, identity & resilience through vivid, raw vignettes on Black British identity, queer joy, family & more.
Read the full interview via this link:
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 15

📚 Next up in our Meet the Poets series: Heirloom by Catherine-Esther Cowie (@carcanetpress), shortlisted for this year’s Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection. A lyrical meditation on trauma, memory & inheritance. Read the full interview:
forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 13

Next up in our Meet the Poets series for the Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection: Chaotic Good (@@faberbooks.bsky.social ) by Isabelle Baafi – a bold debut exploring ambivalence, trauma, and radical hope!
Read the full interview here: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 12

Meet the Poets continues! and we’re moving into our next category: Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection! First up in our series is the visionary collection, Theophanies by Sarah Ghazal Ali. Read the full interview via this link: forwardartsfoundation.org/in-conversat...

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Forward Prizes for Poetry @forwardprizes.bsky.social · Aug 11

Meet the Poets continues! and we’re moving into our next category: Jerwood Prize for Best First Collection! First up in our series is the visionary collection, Theophanies by Sarah Ghazal Ali. Read the full interview via this link:
buff.ly/CUsvB3R

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