Ilkley Literature Festival: Poet and Apprentice Poet in Residence and the Walter Swan Poetry Prize

The competition is open now for entries, plus details of Summer in the Courtyard and the children's poetry prize:

 

Introducing our 2021 Poet & Apprentice Poet in Residence   We are delighted to introduce you to our 2021 Poet in Residence, Ian Duhig, and our 2021 Apprentice Poet in Residence, Rheima Robinson, two wonderfully talented and nationally recognised poets forging incredible work here in Yorkshire.     Meet our Poet in Residence: Ian Duhig   Ian became a full-time writer after working with homeless people for fifteen years and has since published seven books of poetry. He has won the Forward Best Poem Prize once, the National Poetry Competition twice, and has been shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize four times. He is a Cholmondeley Award recipient, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and this year is one of the judges for the Costa Poetry Prize.   Ian will be making his mark on the festival, programming an online poetry showcase, taking part in a reading, running a writing workshop for adults, producing a commissioned piece responding to one of the festival’s themes, and judging the annual Walter Swan Poetry Prize.   Ian said “I’m delighted to be the Ilkley Literature Festival’s Poet in Residence for more reasons than I have room to say. The Festival is not frightened to put together challenging events alongside its up-to-the-minute popular attractions, marrying the best of contemporary literature today with what may be so in the future. I also look forward to working with local writers and reading the competition entries. The Festival provides platforms for marvellous writers to show their best and I am honoured to be part of that in 2021.”   Learn more about Ian   Meet our Apprentice Poet in Residence: Rheima Robinson   Rheima is a poet, educator and facilitator of creative writing workshops. She is the Founding Director of The Sunday Practise, a creative hub and open-mic event based in Leeds. Her poetry can often be heard across different media outlets, including BBC Radio Leeds, BBC1xtra and BBC iPlayer. She was one of the BBC’s First Words 2020 finalists, and her newly commissioned film with New Creatives, supported by BBC Arts, will be released in summer 2021.   As part of her appointment, Rheima will create a commission inspired by the Festival’s programme themes, run a writing workshop for aspiring writers, judge the 18-25 category of the Walter Swan Poetry Prize and participate in a peer mentoring session with the winner.   Rheima said “I am thrilled to be Ilkley Literature Festival’s Apprentice Poet in Residence for 2021. I get to work closely with the North’s longest-running literary festival and have the opportunity to engage new audiences. I’m also looking forward to Ian Duhig’s invaluable mentorship.”   Learn more about Rheima     Walter Swan Poetry Prize Submit your poems now   The competition for poets aged 18 and over is open! This year's theme is... 'The Return' The prize will be judged by Ian Duhig, the 2021 Poet in Residence, and first, second and third placed poets will receive £200, £100 and £75 respectively. Entry fee: £6 per poem     18-25 Prize For no additional fee, entrants aged 18-25 will automatically be entered for the subcategory prize for young adult writers in addition to the main prize. The prize will be judged by Rheima Robinson, the 2021 Apprentice Poet in Residence, and first, second and third placed poets will receive £100, £75 and £50 respectively.  Entry fee: £3 per poem   All six winning poems will be announced in a special online event on National Poetry Day, Thursday 7 October 2021, and all winners will be invited to read their entries within the event.  Closing date for entries: Saturday 31 July, 11.30pm   Enter the competition     DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Family Found Poetry: Saturday 10 July Ilkley Literature Festival Summer Fringe: Thursday evenings from 22 July to 26 August October Festival: Friday 1 - Sunday 17 October 2021     Copyright © 2021 Ilkley Literature Festival, All rights reserved. Ilkley Literature Festival 9 The Grove, Ilkley LS29 9LW 01943 601210 info@ilkleylitfest.org.uk Registered in England and Wales Company No: 1061343 Ilkley Literature Festival Ltd. is a registered charity. Charity No: 501801

Ilkley Literature Festival · 9 The Grove · Ilkley, LS29 9LW · United Kingdom

 

Live Events are Back Join in the fun this summer   We are joining forces with the  Ilkley Manor House Trust,  Ilkley Playhouse and other local arts groups to produce Summer in the Courtyard, a programme of outdoor, in-person events! There will feature performances from local artists, writers and musicians, as well as a range of activities the whole family can enjoy.     View the full Summer in the Courtyard programme here     Fringe Festival   Our Fringe Festival is returning with a new summery look. Come and see local creatives perform in a range of artforms, including poetry, music, comedy improv and spoken word. There will be six evenings of outdoor performances taking place on Thursdays from 6.30pm, starting on Thursday 22 July and running through to 26 August.    Book now     Found Poetry Sessopms   Two book-inspired poetry sessions will also be taking place on Saturday 10 July. Join Story Explorer leader Sandra Flitcroft as she helps youngsters craft their own found poems by choosing words from an old book page. These sessions are suitable for everyone, whether you've never written a poem before or whether you're the next Shakespeare.      Book now     Important Information All events will take place in the Manor House Courtyard. Ilkley Manor House, Castle Yard, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 9DT.   Ilkley Literature Festival events are free to attend, but booking is required. To book visit our website or call 01943 816714. The events will take place outside and will be socially distanced. Attendees will be asked to follow health and safety regulations and to wear masks when moving around the venue. Hand sanitising stations will also be available.     Children's and Young People's Poetry Competition Winners Event   On Saturday 10 July, the winners and runners up of the Children's and Young People's Poetry Competitions will receive their prizes at a special event for their family and friends.  Judge Andy Craven-Griffiths will be handing out the certificates and the winners will read their creative and heart-warming poems on the theme of nature and the natural world.  Following the awards ceremony, the winning poems will be available to read and enjoy on our website.    Advertise with Ilkley Literature Festival Are you a local business wanting to reach a wider audience? Our annual Festival programme reaches over 15,000 people between August and October each year. It's a great way to promote your company and services.  With full and half pages available, get in touch to discuss further. Email us at marketing@ilkleylitfest.org.uk     DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Family Found Poetry: Saturday 10 July Ilkley Literature Festival Fringe: Thursday evenings from 22 July to 26 August October Festival: Friday 1 - Sunday 17 October 2021     Copyright © 2021 Ilkley Literature Festival, All rights reserved. Ilkley Literature Festival 9 The Grove, Ilkley LS29 9LW 01943 601210 info@ilkleylitfest.org.uk Registered in England and Wales Company No: 1061343 Ilkley Literature Festival ltd. is a registered charity. Charity No: 501801                                                             Facebook Twitter Instagram Website SoundCloud

Ilkley Literature Festival · 9 The Grove · Ilkley, LS29 9LW · United Kingdom