Ledbury Poetry has a strong programme to help new writers which gives them the skills, training and performance opportunities to help further their careers. We do this in a number of ways:
The international poetry competition has been running for a number of years. Previous winners have gone on to be published and to win major prizes. Winners are invited back and given readings in a main venue as their career progresses.
In addition we programme a series of 20 minute events where new writers have the chance to perform in front on an audience. These events are free to attend and are becoming increasingly popular. Poets have the opportunity to sell pamphlets or books -small presses are also welcome and have the opportunity to market their titles.
Ledbury Poetry also runs a young poet in residence scheme. This gives a young poet the opportunity to attend a Festival for free, to give a reading with an established poet and offers them editorial help with an established poet over a series of one to one sessions. Read about 2018 Young Poet in Residence Eloise Unerman here
We give a platform to winners of three major awards: The National Poetry Society’s Competition, The Eric Gregory Award and the Foyle Young Poets’ of the Year Award.
This programme is incredibly important to us; new poets and new writing are the life blood of the Festival. For the audience there is nothing more exciting than hearing a new voice that hits a chord.
Funded Linklater Method Voice Coaching Workshop for New and Emerging Poets
Our voice coaching workshop is for poets who have at least one collection published, are starting to get readings and are looking to strengthen their performance style. It is lead by trained Linklater Voice coach, Françoise Walot.
The 2021 workshop has generously been supported by the Foyle Foundation and the Garrick Charitable Trust to whom the Festival is deeply grateful.