THE SHORTLIST IS ANNOUNCED FOR THE MELITA HUME PRIZE 2014!

MEDIA RELEASE

23 APRIL 2014
FORWARD-WINNER EMILY BERRY SHORTLISTS 11 FOR THE £1,400 MELITA HUME POETRY PRIZE 2014

Faber award-winning poet Emily Berry (Dear Boy, 2013) – the 2014 judge for Eyewear’s Melita Hume Poetry Prize (now in its third year) – has dialled up the shortlist to 11, with debut poets from Scotland, Ireland and England.

The prize – the richest of its kind – also comes with guaranteed publication and launch in spring 2015 from the indie publisher known for its stylish hardcovers and international roster of talent. Any poet living in the UK or Ireland 35 years or under at time of entering is eligible – the prize is for the best full, original and unpublished collection of poetry submitted in that year. Previous winners include Granta-listed poet Caleb Klaces and Scotland’s Marion McCready.

Judge Berry said: 'It turns out judging a competition is tough! There were a lot of strong contenders this year and I had a happy and occasionally challenging time selecting the final eleven. I'm pleased that the list includes poets from England, Scotland and Ireland (sorry Wales), and that women are particularly well represented. A difficult decision ahead...'

The eleven poets are:

AMY BLAKEMORE

BEN PARKER

BETHAN TICHBORNE

DAISY BEHAGG

JOANNE CLEMENT

RACHAEL M. NICHOLAS

SHELLEY ROCHE-JACQUES

SOHINI BASAK

THERESA MUÑOZ

TOM WEIR

VICTORIA KENNEFICK

The winner will be announced 7 May, and will be presented with their prize at the London Review Bookshop 21 may, at 7 pm.

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