… it’s always exciting, especially of course if you’ve got a poem in it. In the last couple of weeks I’ve been enjoying The Interpreter’s House issue 62, featuring an augmented brace of Telltale Poets (ie 3) and Brittle Star 38.
Both mags are famous for their striking covers, and my first thought when I saw Martin Parker’s design for Brittle Star was ‘Kate Bush!’ Check it out –
Clearly they are not the same, but it goes to show how many hours I stared at this album cover and how embedded it is in my memory.
The INSIDE of the magazine is of course the thing, and I enjoy the editorial and reviews as well as the poetry. I’m not big on short stories in poetry magazines, although I can be persuaded to read them occasionally. I know it’s common for magazines to do both, but I have a bit of a one-track mind.
Also just through the letterbox is the new Poetry Review (nothing in there by me, but I live in hope – although I haven’t actually submitted there for a while, and you can’t win it if you’re not in it. ) Some nice news though – I was just reading about Ian Humphreys winning the Hamish Canham prize this year (I had a lot of fun working with Ian in our breakout group on the Duffy & Clarke masterclass at Ty Newydd a few years ago. Very nice to see him having such a great 2016) when I saw my poem ‘The houses are coming’ mentioned as being on the shortlist of six for the prize. Huzzah! I need a few confidence-boosters right now and I’ll take that very happily, thanks very much The Poetry Society.
My copy of Brittle Star has arrived too. I love this little book. Just the right size to take in my handbag when travelling. I do enjoy the stories. I like the mix. Congratulations on your poem being published in it. I especially love the last two stanzas. Wow!