SIARAD Long listed for Poetry Book Awards 2022

 The Poetry Book Awards is an annual, international book award given to the best poetry book awards produced by indie writers, self published authors or books published by small, truly independent presses. I received news last week that SIARAD has been long listed for this year's award.

The Poetry Book Award - long list

SIARAD is published by ES-Press, an imprint of Spineless Wonders Publishing,  which truly is a small, independent press. The advantage of being published by small presses like SWP is that authors get to work closely with the publishing team. I worked alongside graphic designer BKAD (Betttina Kaiser), and had input in all the decision making including style of book, (I love square books!) front cover, graphics and font type, as well as working closely with editor Matilda Gould. The process was invigorating and exciting, a real artistic pleasure. I didn't write and publish this book to win awards. As a team we made the book we wanted to make, a book that gave us creative and aesthetic pleasure. We figured if we liked it, others would too.

I am so pleased and grateful that SIARAD been recognised in an international Welsh based poetry book award alongside so many other brilliant collections, including Australian poets. You can check out all 25 books HERE.   Thank you to judge John Evans and organiser Dave Lewis. My Welsh Ma is very present in SIARAD and she passed away earlier this year so this long listing means so much to me. If you're in UK, you can order your copy of SIARAD HERE.

banner: Bettina Kaiser

The Poetry Book Award short list will be announced Friday 14 October 2022.