It's National Poetry Month in April. Technically, NPM is a US/Canada thing, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be worldwide.
Kelli Russell Agodon's Book of Kells blog has been running a Big Poetry Giveaway for a few years now and I've decided to take part this year by giving away 4 books of poetry. You can find more details here, including how to participate yourself, but I should warn you that I am getting in under the wire - the deadline for joining is April 5.
Until 30 April, you can post below in the comments field with your name and email address (or your blog, if that is an easy way to get in touch) and I will choose 4 different names at random to receive the books at no charge. I can post them out to anywhere in the world (and you don't even have to pay for postage). Please specify if you would prefer to receive one of the books in particular.
The poetry books are:
1. POEMS by Shakila Azizzada. This substantial dual-language poetry pamphlet (produced by the Poetry Translation Centre) introduces the sensual, painful poetry of the Afghani poet Shakila Azizzada. I have heard her read and she was brilliant. Her poems are translated by the incredibly talented Iranian-British poet Mimi Khalvati, along with Zuzanna Olszewska.
2. FULL VOLUME by Robert Crawford: wry, pointed poems of nature and technology from a gifted Scottish poet.
3. GILGAMESH by Derrek Hines: a modern and astonishing version of the ancient epic, juxtaposing the poet's own contemporary concerns with the intensity of the original.
4. PESSIMISM FOR BEGINNERS by Sophie Hannah: extremely funny tales of relationship woes and everyday headaches. I have heard her read these poems and the audience was practically crying with laughter.
As for "a little about me", which I'm supposed to include: if you read this blog, you will find out quite a lot. But it's probably enough to say here that I live in London and work as a publisher, and poetry is a big part of my life.
I look forward to your entries. Happy reading!
