Paul Farley: Poet, Writer and Broadcaster

Early Life and Education

Paul Farley was born on September 9, 1965, in Liverpool, England. Growing up in the culturally rich and diverse city of Liverpool, Farley was immersed in a vibrant community that would later influence his poetic voice. His early experiences in this dynamic environment are often reflected in his work, which captures the essence of urban life and the human condition.

Farley attended the University of Leeds, where he studied English and found his passion for poetry. His time at university was formative, providing him with both the academic foundation and the creative inspiration to pursue a career in writing.

Career and Achievements

Farley’s professional career began in earnest in the 1990s. He quickly gained recognition for his distinctive voice and innovative use of language. His first collection of poetry, “The Boy from the Chemist is Here to See You,” was published in 1998 to critical acclaim. This debut won several prestigious awards, including the Forward Prize for Best First Collection, marking Farley as a significant new talent in British poetry.

Following this early success, Farley continued to build his reputation with subsequent collections. “The Ice Age,” published in 2002, further established his standing in the literary world, earning him the Whitbread Poetry Award. His third collection, “Tramp in Flames” (2006), was shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize and reinforced his position as a leading contemporary poet.

In addition to his poetry, Farley has made significant contributions to the broader literary and cultural landscape. He has written extensively for radio and television, showcasing his versatility as a writer. His work often explores themes of memory, history, and place, resonating with a wide audience.

Teaching and Influence

Farley’s impact extends beyond his published work. He has held several academic positions, sharing his expertise and passion for poetry with students. His teaching roles have included positions at the University of Lancaster and the University of Oxford, where he has inspired a new generation of poets and writers.

Farley is also known for his editorial work and involvement in literary festivals and events. He has served as a judge for various literary awards, contributing his keen eye for talent and deep understanding of contemporary poetry.

Personal Life

Despite his public success, Farley remains a private individual, often shying away from the limelight. He continues to live in the UK, where he balances his writing and teaching commitments with a quiet personal life. His dedication to his craft and his ability to capture the essence of everyday experiences in his poetry have earned him a loyal readership and a respected place in the literary world.

Legacy

Paul Farley’s work is characterized by its lyrical beauty, keen observation, and emotional depth. His contributions to contemporary poetry and his influence as a teacher and mentor have left a lasting impact on the literary community. As he continues to write and engage with the world of poetry, Farley remains a vital and influential voice in British literature.

ENTER The Plaza Audio Poetry Prize. Judge: Paul Farley. 1st Prize: £1,000 (US$1250). Deadline: 31st June 2024.

US NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER

Jason Mott is an acclaimed American author known for his compelling and imaginative works of fiction. Born and raised in Bolton, North Carolina, Mott developed an early love for storytelling, which he pursued with great passion and dedication. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fiction and a Master of Fine Arts in poetry, both from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Mott’s breakout novel, “The Returned,” was published in 2013 and quickly garnered widespread attention. The book tells the story of a small town where deceased loved ones suddenly start returning, causing profound emotional and social upheaval. The novel’s unique premise and poignant exploration of grief and human connection struck a chord with readers and critics alike, leading to its adaptation into the television series “Resurrection” by ABC.

Following the success of “The Returned,” Mott continued to make his mark in the literary world with several other novels, including “The Wonder of All Things” (2014) and “The Crossing” (2018). His writing often blends elements of the fantastical with deep, emotional narratives, creating stories that are both thought-provoking and deeply human.

In 2021, Mott released “Hell of a Book,” a novel that garnered significant acclaim and earned him the National Book Award for Fiction. The book is a meta-fictional journey that intertwines the story of an African American author’s book tour with the tale of a young Black boy named Soot navigating life in the contemporary South. “Hell of a Book” was praised for its inventive structure, emotional depth, and insightful commentary on race and identity in America.

In addition to his novels, Mott has also written poetry, short stories, and essays, showcasing his versatility as a writer. His work has appeared in various literary journals and anthologies, further establishing his reputation as a significant voice in modern American literature.

Jason Mott’s career is marked by his ability to blend the extraordinary with the everyday, creating narratives that resonate on both an emotional and intellectual level. His contributions to contemporary fiction continue to be celebrated by readers and critics alike.

ENTER The Plaza Literary: First Chapters Prize. Judge: Jason Mott. 1st Prize: £1,500 (US$1750). Deadline: 31st July 2024.

THE TITLE SAYS IT ALL – RECOMMENDED READING

Hell of a Book, the US National Book Award-winning novel by Jason Mott, is a mesmerizing and poignant exploration of race, identity, and the power of storytelling. Mott deftly navigates between humor and heartbreak, creating a narrative that is both deeply engaging and thought-provoking.

The novel’s protagonist is a Black author on a cross-country book tour for his successful novel, also titled Hell of a Book. His journey is interspersed with the story of a young Black boy named Soot, who is navigating life in a racially charged environment. As the lines between reality and fiction blur, the narrative becomes a profound commentary on the Black experience in America.

Mott’s writing is both vivid and lyrical, capturing the reader’s attention from the first page. The author’s ability to weave together different narrative threads and timelines showcases his storytelling prowess. The characters are richly developed, with the protagonist’s witty and sometimes surreal observations providing a stark contrast to the more somber, introspective moments involving Soot.

One of the novel’s most striking features is its exploration of the psychological impact of racism. Mott delves into the trauma and invisibility felt by Black individuals, portraying these themes with sensitivity and depth. The recurring motif of “the invisible boy” is particularly powerful, symbolizing the erasure and marginalization of Black lives.

Despite its heavy themes, Hell of a Book is infused with humor and a sense of hope. Mott balances the narrative’s darker elements with moments of levity, making the story accessible and relatable. This blend of humor and gravity ensures that the novel resonates on multiple levels, inviting readers to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions.

In conclusion, Hell of a Book is a masterful work that challenges and entertains in equal measure. Jason Mott has crafted a novel that is both a searing social commentary and a celebration of the transformative power of storytelling. It is a book that cannot be forgotten, demands to be read, and discussed.

ENTER The Plaza Literary: First Chapters Prize. Judge: Jason Mott. 1st Prize: £1,500 (US$1750). Deadline: 31st July 2024.

Not Big on X

I haven’t been a big fan of X or its previous incarnation, Twitter, and therefore our presence on this social medium has been slight up ’til now. Neither my mistrust of this medium or the fact that I come from the Cretaceous period with regard to social media, should be getting in the way of us promoting poets’ and writers’ achievements. So, with this in mind, we will be upping our presence on X, and would appreciate it mightily if Plaza-Prizers would help us by retweeting posts.

Must do better. So will do better.

Winning Entries

Here’s what our judge, Carrie Etter, had to say about our winners:-

First prize: Heidi Kasa (US)
‘The Bullet Renames’ is one of the most moving, inspired prose poems I’ve read in years. It balances intelligence and poignancy in its deft use of anaphora and paragraphing, resulting in a poem I wish I’d written myself. I can’t help but anticipate that this poem will appear in a critically acclaimed collection before long.

Second prize: Abigail Ottley (ENG)
‘A survivor dreams a new career’ exhibits both an impressive sense of voice and linguistic precision in a most original prose poem. The movement and balance between the two paragraphs is deftly handled, and the ending imperative is perfectly judged.

Third prize: Róisín Legett Bohan (IRE)
‘anticipation of anaphylaxis’ is raw and moving in its evocation of grief. Its variation in sentence structure supports the poem’s momentum beautifully.

Highly Commended: Neil Douglas (ENG)
‘While I am away’ seems a casual account, but the quality of detail and management of pacing show an intelligent appreciation of prose’s pace and poetry’s imagery. The bathos of the ending is humorous and well judged.

Congrats to the poets who made the final cut! All 10 shortlisted will be published in The Plaza Prizes Anthology 2.

LAST CALL. The NEW 2024 Plaza Poetry Prize (40 lines max) is open to enter. Judge: Moniza Alvi. 1st prize: £1,000. Deadline: 31st May 2024.

Top 10 Flash Fiction Entries
(titles listed in no particular order)

The Mouth of The Word

The Dead Fox Around Her Neck

The Terrarium

Kerouac’s Next Chapter

Dark Cousin

3AM

Quiet Quiet Quiet

Marvins

The Gartcosh M73 Interchange is not Noted for its Proximity to Fjords

Mille Feuille

Congrats to the 10 writers who made the shortlist. They will be published in The Plaza Prizes Anthology 2.

The NEW 2024 Plaza Poetry Prize (40 lines max) is open to enter. Judge: Moniza Alvi. 1st prize: £1,000. Deadline: 31st May 2024.