Poetry blog

We keep you updated on the world of poetry with our news roundups.

Recent posts

Eliot Poetry Prize / Burns Sidelined / Grant For Byron’s Statue – Poetry News Roundup January 17th

 

This week on My Poetic Side we look at the winner of this year’s TS Eliot Prize for poetry, the reasons why Robert Burns is being side-lined, and the grant to preserve Lord Byron’s statue. TS Eliot Poetry Prize 2025 Peter Gizzi has been announced as the winner of this year's TS Eliot prize for poetry with his book Fierce ...

Muslim Robbie Burns / Peter Porter Prize / Pub Menu For Burns Fans – Poetry News Roundup January 10th

 

Today’s poetry new round up takes a look at the Muslim Rabbie Burns, the 2025 Peter Porter Poetry Prize and the Burns inspired pub menu. New Biography Tells Story of Poet Known as the Muslim Rabbie Burns A recently released biography tells the story of John ‘Yehya’ Parkinson, the Kilwinning poet and author who converted to Islam and is often referred to as ...

New Years Honours For Poets / Gaelic Poem’s Home Funding – Poetry News Roundup 3rd January

 

We begin the week here on My Poetic Side with a look at those individuals connected to poetry who made it to the 2025 New Years’ Honours list and the funding that has been granted for a home for an iconic Gaelic poem. New Year’s Honours 2025 The publication of this year’s list of New Years’ honour recipients saw a huge number of individuals ...

Herrera Discusses Migrant Experience / MI5 Christmas Poem / Mirza Ghalib Anniversary – Poetry News Roundup December 27th

 

In our last poetry news round up of 2024, we take a look at Juan Felipe Herrera talking about migration and poetry, the MI5 Christmas poem and the anniversary of the birth of Mirza Ghalib. Former Poet Laureate Discusses Migrant Experience Born on 27th December 1948, Juan Felipe Herrera is a performer, poet, writer, teacher and activist. He was also the United States ...

King’s Gold Medal For Poetry Awarded – Poetry News December 20th

 

Today in our poetry news round up, we look at this years recipient of the King’s Gold Medal for Poetry. Hungarian Poet George Szirtes - King’s Gold Medal for Poetry Recipient George Szirtes, the British poet born in Hungary, has been named as the recipient of the King’s Gold Medal for Poetry. This will be given to him by His Majesty King Charles the ...

Nikki Giovanni Dies – Poetry News December 13th

 

Today in our poetry news round up we bring you the sad news that the poet Nikki Giovanni has died at the age of 81. Nikki Giovanni, Black Arts Literary Icon Dies Aged 81 Often referred to as “The Princess of Black Poetry,” Nikki Giovanni the acclaimed literary force, poet and activist has died at the age of 81. Her death comes following a ...

New Scottish Makar / Byron’s Works’ Birthplace Revealed – Poetry News Roundup December 6th

 

This week’s poetry news round up looks at the new Scottish makar and the birthplace of Byron’s first published works. New Scottish Makar Appointed Peter Mackay, a Lewis born poet, has been appointed to the role of Scottish Makar. He will make history as the first Gaelic poet to hold the position. Mackay says that he is very much looking forward to being able to ...

Byron Museum / China’s Daughter Of Poetry Dies – Poetry News Roundup November 29th

 

This week in our poetry news round up, we take a look at the Byron Museum in Ravenna and China’s “daughter of poetry” who has died at the age of 100. Lord Byron Museum to Open in Ravenna A museum that will be dedicated to the life and works of Lord Byron the flamboyant British satirist and poet will be opening in Ravenna in ...

Japanese Poetry Giant Dies / Henley Celebrations – Poetry News Roundup November 22nd

 

Today in our poetry news roundup we take a look at the death of Shuntaro Tanikawa and the poet who is being celebrated 175 years after his birth. Giant of Japanese Poetry, Shuntaro Tanikawa Dies At the Age of 92 The pioneer of modern Japanese poetry, which was both poignant and conversational  in the divergence from more traditional styles of poetry and Haiku, has ...