This is Eleanor Rees‘s Forward shortlisted debut collection Andraste’s Hair.
We asked Eleanor about her nomination for the Best First Collection award in 2007:
How did it feel to be shortlisted?
It was very exciting to be nominated and a real sense of achievement. I was hopeful for my book but also aware that the poetry world sometimes moves in mysterious ways so was so relieved when I heard it had been shortlisted.
Andraste’s Hair was the culmination of about four years practice as a poet out in the world beyond books, writing for collaboration and to commission and also a return to a more confident and idiosyncratic style. It was also a real vote of confidence from the ‘establishment’ as I see it for my ‘ploughing your own furrow’ approach, so it meant a lot.
What were your feelings on the night?
I was very excited and I suppose suppressing a competitive impulse I was rather ashamed about! For a first collection prize there were some established names on the list. I was also hopeful for Galatea, by Melanie Challenger which is a very energised and committed book. I haven’t been to many of these kind of events and was also rather over-whelmed by being in a room with many poets I admire! It was also a rare trip down to London for me!
Has being shortlisted had an impact on your writing?
The nomination has been very helpful in drawing in people’s interest and helping to enable people to ‘take you seriously’. I think it reassures people that you are for real! It helps to add some clout to your reputation as a poet which then in turn helps you to find more opportunities to be such a thing. It really has allowed me to be confident with my work in a way that’s supported by fact rather than just my assurances that I know what I’m doing.
Buy Andraste’s Hair now and get 20% off.
Look out for Eleanor’s new book – Eliza and the Bear, coming soon from Salt.
