Being Human edited by Neil Astley Bloodaxe

Being Human edited by Neil Astley Bloodaxe - ISBN-10: 1852248092 The companion anthology to Staying Alive and Being Alive I love Staying Alive and keep going back to it. Being Alive is just as vivid… But this new book feels even more alive – I think it has a heartbeat’ – Meryl Streep. Being Human is the third book in the Staying Alive poetry trilogy. Staying Alive and its sequel Being Alive have introduced many thousands of new readers to contemporary poetry. Being Human is a companion volume to those two books – a world poetry anthology offering poetry lovers an even broader, international selection of ‘real poems for unreal times’. The range of poetry here complements that of the first two anthologies: hundreds of…

Ten New poets from Spread the Word (Bloodaxe September 2010)

Ten Anthology (2010) – ISBN: 978-1-852248-79-6 Edited by Bernardine Evaristo and Daljit Nagra This groundbreaking anthology of ten new poets truly reflects the multicultural make-up of contemporary Britain. At a time when less than 1% of all poetry books published in the UK are by black or Asian poets, the work of these writers testifies to the quality and versatility of vital writing that should not be overlooked. These new voices draw on cultural influences and multiple heritages that can only enrich and broaden the scope of contemporary British poetry. This anthology is the culmination of a much needed initiative by literature development agency Spread the Word to support talented Black and Asian poets. The poets’ histories…

Journeys Home

Edited by Salome Nnoromele and Lisa Day-Lindsey – ISBN: 1592217133 Journeys Home (2009) This is an anthology of Contemporary African Experience. It consists of poems and personal narratives by writers from Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Sudan, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zimbabwe will make readers laugh, cry, smile, and wonder at the life of the immigrant. This collection reflects the blend and clash of cultures, and the pain and triumphs. Residing in various parts of the world, the United States, Netherlands, Wales, Britain, France, and Qatar, these writers give voice to the deep, but often forgotten salient effects of immigration on the African people who have left their family, community, and land of origin. These texts…

Barbershop Chronicles

Edited by Mahogany L. Browne- ISBN: 978-0978969530 The Barbershop Chronicles (2008) is a collection of poems and essays by men. It brims with an honesty rarely shared outside the sanctuary of the Barbershop. Here, the men have gathered their words for a glance at truth. His story is here. www.penmanshipbooks.com

The Freedom of Paper and Ink

The Freedom of Paper and Ink Edited by Sundra Lawrence (Salt Publishing 2008) Annotation:  When a student was asked to comment on what he had learnt from the Write Lines project his response was ‘the freedom of paper and ink’ we have taken his bold statement as the title of this anthology. The fruits of our young writers’ efforts lie in this book. Between these pages you will find rich, thoughtful and funny poems that demand to be read and talked about. These poems are not for display purposes only. Read them aloud, share them with a friend, or have one with your breakfast each morning. via The Freedom of Paper and Ink.

A Storm Between Fingers

Edited by Peter Kahn, Roger Robinson & Jacob Sam-La Rose – ISBN: 978-1905233137 A full anthology of poetry from members of the Malika’s Kitchen writers’ collective, A Storm Between Fingers (2007)reflects the expansive multi-cultural make-up of Malika’s Kitchen, with poems rendered in variations of English that go far beyond standard English – this is poetry awash with the cadences of multilingual exposure. Featured in the London Libraries Development Agency promotion Limited Edition, a storm between fingers is a cultural landmark, a marker of the shape real poetry will take in the future. “Malika’s Kitchen is a literary movement whose impact on British poetry will be felt for a long time to come. These are writers…

Handmade Fire (Mouthmark)

Edited by Malika’s Kitchen: ISBN: 1905233108 Handmade Fire is a debut anthology featuring work from members of the Intetnational writing group Malika’s Poetry Kitchen. Malika says… Malika’s Kitchen was set up in August 2001 inspired by Kwame Dawes’ ‘Afro Style School’ (held by Spread the Word). Here, Kwame showed a range of poets, who have since gone on to be leading voices in London’s contemporary literary scene, the importance of craft. I wanted to build on this legacy and after reading June Jordan’s ‘Poetry for the People: A Revolutionary Blueprint’ as well as speaking at length to Roger Robinson and Jacob Sam-La Rose, I decided to create the space for writers to develop their craft by writing…

The Lost Collection of an Invisible Man

by Nick Makoha – ISBN: 978-1905233038 The Lost Collection of an Invisible Man (2005) is the debut chapbook of Nick Makoha, a young poet of Ugandan heritage. Imbued with unique imagery and a lightness of touch, the collection heralds an important new voice. Nicholas Makoha’s first collection brings to mind shamen in his combination of biblical speak and magical imagery.- Roger Robinson www.flippedeye.net

Velocity: The Best of Apples & Snakes (Black Spring Press)

Edited by Maja Prausnitz –  Black Spring Press Velocity is an anthology of previously unpublished work by some of the finest contemporary writers, all of whom have performed for acclaimed spoken word promoters, Apples and Snakes. Published to coincide with the 21st birthday of Apples and Snakes, Velocity runs the gauntlet of literary possibilities, including poetry, short stories, non-fiction, artwork and anecdotes. Edited by Maja Prausnitz for Apples and Snakes. One of the Independent’s “Ten Best Modern Poetry Books” in 2004 Apples & Snakes has made an enormous contribution to the broadening of the audience for poetry whilst providing a much-needed platform for new voices” Linton Kwesi Johnson