The deadline is 1 September to submit to Primers, a new annual scheme run by the Poetry School and Nine Arches Press that aims to help talented poets to find publication and receive a programme of supportive feedback, mentoring and promotion. The scheme will select three poets whose work will feature together in the first volume of Primers, a book showcasing short, debut collections of work.

The Primers collection will be published by Nine Arches Press, and a series of live events will showcase the three chosen poets at festivals and shows around the country, after editing and mentoring with Jane Commane (Nine Arches’ poetry editor) and Kathryn Maris (poet and guest editor),

Jane Commane said: “Primers presents a really exciting opportunity; for poets it will offer an excellent first step, with the full support of Kathryn Maris, the Poetry School and myself. I am already looking forward to seeing the new writing that will be submitted.”

Kathryn Maris said: “Primers is, potentially, a more meritocratic take on anthologies and other introductory platforms for which the usual procedure is the hand-picking of writers already known to an editor. By contrast, the poets to be included in Primers will be chosen from anonymous submissions, so poets need not have a proven track record of publication nor ‘visibility’ within the poetry world.  There is so much strong work being written by poets of all ages who have not yet had their first break, so I expect the decision-making will be difficult.”

Ollie Dawson, director of the Poetry School, added: “The Poetry School has a long history of working with poets to develop their creative talents. Primers is the next stage in this work, taking poets out of the classroom and onto the bookshelf and the festival stage. We’re very excited about the new poets and poems that are going to emerge from this scheme.”

There are more details here or contact John Canfield at coordinator@poetryschool.com