Dolly Parton Dies / Poetry Month Gala – Poetry News Roundup August 28th

Published by Julian Yanover August 28th, 2026.

This week in our poetry news round up we look at the death of the singer and songwriter Dolly Parton, and the closing of Australia's Poetry Month. Dolly Parton Passes Away Aged 80 Dolly Parton, the singer, songwriter and philanthropist whose songs became part of the furniture of the last six decades, has died at the age of 80. Her death was announced by ...

Poetry in Edinburgh / Contains Strong Language at Ten – Poetry News Roundup August 21st

Published by Julian Yanover August 21st, 2026.

This week in our poetry news round up we look at the poetry taking place at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the tenth anniversary line up for the BBC's Contains Strong Language festival. Poetry Takes Centre Stage at the Edinburgh Book Festival The Edinburgh International Book Festival is currently in full swing at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, where it runs until 30th August. ...

Poetry Sales Boom / Eisteddfod Chair Winner – Poetry News Roundup August 14th

Published by Julian Yanover August 14th, 2026.

This week in our poetry news round up we look at the record-breaking year poetry is having in the bookshops and the winner of the Chair at this year's National Eisteddfod. UK Poetry Sales on Course for a Record Year Poetry is having a moment. Figures from the market researchers NielsenIQ show that poetry sales in the UK passed £8m during the first thirty ...

Nariman Hasanzade Dies / Claudia Rankine’s Triage – Poetry News Roundup August 7th

Published by Julian Yanover August 7th, 2026.

This week in our poetry news round up we look at the death of the Azerbaijani People's Poet Nariman Hasanzade and the publication of Claudia Rankine's long-awaited new book. People's Poet of Azerbaijan Nariman Hasanzade Dies Aged 95 Nariman Alimammad oghlu Hasanzade, one of the leading figures of modern Azerbaijani literature, died on 1st August 2026 at the age of 95. He had been ...

Mary de Rachewiltz Dies / Booker Prize Longlist – Poetry News Roundup July 31st

Published by Julian Yanover July 31st, 2026.

This week in our poetry news round up we look at the death of the poet and translator Mary de Rachewiltz, keeper of Ezra Pound's legacy, and the announcement of the 2026 Booker Prize longlist. Poet and Translator Mary de Rachewiltz Dies Aged 101 Mary de Rachewiltz, the Italian-American poet and translator who spent much of her long life as the custodian of her ...

Black Ice Dies / Nigeria Prize Poetry Longlist – Poetry News Roundup July 24th

Published by Julian Yanover July 24th, 2026.

This week in our poetry news round up we look at the death of the pioneering spoken word artist Black Ice and the newly announced poetry longlist for the 2026 Nigeria Prize for Literature. Spoken Word Pioneer Black Ice Dies Aged 54 [caption id="attachment_20768" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images[/caption] Black Ice, the Philadelphia poet who did as much as anyone to carry spoken word ...

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