In members’ news, it is a delight to report that US-based Society member Suzanne Cleary has been awarded the 2024 Laura Boss Narrative Poetry Award. Her winning manuscript, The Odds, was selected by Jan Beatty and will be published in spring 2025 by New York Quarterly books.
Around 200 manuscripts were submitted to the competition. Beatty commented: “It was an adventure and an honor to read the range of manuscripts … The work of the finalists was compelling and exceptional. The winning manuscript,
The Odds by Suzanne Cleary offers a present humanity that speaks of the tender moments of unknowing in all of us. Cleary constructs sure-footed line breaks to support this faithful voice. From the foibles we all experience to dreams of bigger worlds — from the faces of friends to the imaginings of the artist — these moving poems create breath, and room to travel between worlds as we speak to the dead.”
Many congratulations to Suzanne.
Meanwhile, in more local news, Jess Mookherjee and Phil Vernon will be reading at the Eastbourne Poetry Café’s annual National Poetry event: 7 pm at the Grove Theatre, Eastbourne, Weds 2nd October.
The Kent & Sussex Poetry Society 