Tim Liardet, Professor of Poetry at Bath Spa University, has been shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize for his collection of poetry The World Before Snow.
The work is Professor Liardet’s tenth collection of poetry and marks his second time on the shortlist having been previously shortlisted for his collection The Blood Choir.
Speaking about his appearance on the shortlist he said: “It is very exciting to be on such a great list, and, after the long hours of writing the book, very moving to have it so much out in the world.
“Being shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot prize, for a poet, is the definitive affirmation. I am grateful to the distinguished panel of judges.”
The T.S. Eliot Prize for poetry was established in 1993 by the Poetry Book Society to honour its founder. It is regarded as the most prestigious and valuable prize in the UK for poetry.
This year’s judges are Pascale Petit, Kei Miller and Ahren Warner who selected the ten shortlisted books from over 142 entries.
The readings for this year’s Prize will take place at the Royal Festival Hall in January 2016, and the prize of £20,000 will be awarded in the courtyard of the exquisite Wallace Collection in Central London.
The Prize was funded by T.S. Eliot’s widow, Valerie Eliot, until her death in 2013, and is now supported by the trustees of the Eliot estate. Previous winners include Seamus Heaney, Derek Walcott and Ted Hughes.
More information is available at the Poetry Book Society here.
