Picador Poetry

The latest from Picadors Award winning poetry list

Picador Poetry. The words even sound right together – and as poetry lists go, Picador’s is certainly one to note.

Headed by Don Paterson – himself an award-winning poet – Picador has quickly established itself as one of the key poetry imprints within mainstream publishing and, with the likes of Carol Ann Duffy, Sean O’Brien, Kathleen Jamie, Kate Clanchy, Ian Duhig, Jacob Polley, Colette Bryce, John Glenday and Peter Porter on the list, it’s no surprise to learn that it’s gone from strength to strength. One of its main strengths, however, is its refusal to rest on its laurels: it’s a list always open to new voices and, alongside such established names as Clive James, Billy Collins, Glyn Maxwell, Robin Robertson, John Kinsella, Paul Farley and John Stammers, Picador also publishes relative newcomers such as Annie Freud, Lorraine Mariner, Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch, Frances Leviston and Mark Haddon.

And in terms of critical recognition and prizes, Picador Poetry’s not doing so badly either: Picador’s poets are routinely shortlisted for and winners of the most prestigious awards in UK poetry, including the two biggest – the Forward and the T S Eliot Prizes. Sean O’Brien achieved an unprecedented double victory in both of these awards for his collection The Drowned Book.

One of the most eclectic and accessible lists around, there’s something for everyone at Picador Poetry. So, whatever you’re looking for – whether it’s a collection or an anthology, whether it’s prose inspired by poetry (Don’t Ask Me What I Mean: Poets in Their Own Words, for example) or even inspiration to help with ideas for a new baby, a wedding or a funeral (All the Poems You Need to Say...) – look no further than Picador Poetry. It hits the right note every time.