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Poet, Nasim Rebecca Asl from Washington in Tyne and Wear, is in the running for one of the UK’s most prestigious poetry prizes, the 2024 Forward Prizes for Poetry. This…
Poet, Nasim Rebecca Asl from Washington in Tyne and Wear, is in the running for one of the UK’s most prestigious poetry prizes, the 2024 Forward Prizes for Poetry.
This year, for the first time, the most coveted and influential prizes for poetry will be announced at the Durham Book Festival on 10 October.
The awards ceremony is hosted by author, performer and poet, Joelle Taylor at Gala Durham, and will feature the poet Kayo Chingonyi and BBC Radio 6 Music’s Craig Charles, who is this year’s chair of judges.
The twenty shortlisted poets will perform their work at the event, offering audiences a unique opportunity to hear a snapshot of the UK and Ireland’s best published poets at work today in the contemporary poetry scene.
Nasim, who now lives in Glasgow, was supported through New Writing North’s young people’s programme. Her work has been published widely in magazines and anthologies. She’s is in contention for the Jerwood Prize for Best Single Poem Performed in the Forward Prizes shortlists, for ‘Choose Your Own Adventure.’
In 2021 Nasim received a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award for Poetry, and she was shortlisted for the 2022 Edwin Morgan Poetry Award.
Two other shortlisted poets are also past recipients of New Writing North’s Northern Writers Awards, and are in contention for the Best Collection Award.
Rachael Allen won the Northern Writers’ Award in 2017. Her sweeping narrative poem God Complex tells the story of the breakdown of a relationship against a backdrop of progressive environmental degradation.
Doncaster-born Sarah Wimbush was a 2019 Northern Writers’ Awards winner. She’s shortlisted for Strike, a collection of poems depicting the miners’ strike of 1984-5.
Rebecca Wilkie, director of Durham Book Festival, said: “The Forward Prizes for Poetry are an unmissable fixture in the literary calendar – a celebration for all who want to discover the best contemporary poetry. This year, Durham Book Festival is delighted to host the announcement of the prizes for the first time. It’s particularly thrilling to see a local author, supported by New Writing North’s writing development programmes, shortlisted for such a prestigious award.”
The awards feature four categories: the Forward Prize for Best Collection (£10,000), the Felix Dennis Prize for Best First Collection (£5,000), the Forward Prize for Best Single Poem – Written (£1,000), and the Jerwood Prize for Best Single Poem – Performed (£1,000).
The North East has built a strong reputation for the poetry scene, and is home to Bloodaxe Books, which has revolutionised poetry publishing in Britain over the past 40 years, and was founded in Newcastle.
2024 chair of judges, Craig Charles, said: “I’m really thrilled to be in a position to champion all the incredible poets shortlisted. Poetry has long been an important part of my life, and my love for it has been a driver for championing poetry on my BBC6 show. My favourite part of this process was getting to spend intensive time with these fresh voices and my fellow judges – all professional poets. I especially love getting to showcase the vibrant spoken word scene I love so much.”
Over the last three decades the Forward Prizes have celebrated some of the most recognised names in poetry including Simon Armitage, Thom Gunn, Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes, Carol Ann Duffy, Claudia Rankine, Jackie Kay, and Caleb Femi.
The leading writing development agency in the North East, New Writing North runs a number of writing development schemes, workshops, and initiatives for young writers. The charity also produces Durham Book Festival each year for Durham City Council.
Tickets are available here.
About the Forward Prizes
For more info on this year’s shortlist, go to: https://forwardartsfoundation.org/forward-prizes-for-poetry/
About Durham Book Festival:
The Durham Book Festival is an annual literary event that celebrates the written word in all its forms. Organised by New Writing North and commissioned by Durham County Council, the festival features a diverse range of authors, workshops, and discussions, aiming to engage the community and promote a love for literature.
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