Just weeks after Simon Armitage was named the UK’s next poet laureate, the contest for the country’s second most important role in poetry has begun. Voting has opened for Oxford University’s next professor of poetry, with two of the country’s best known practitioners, Alice Oswald and Andrew McMillan, both in the running. Each contender now has until 20 June to canvas Oxford graduates for their votes. Photograph: Urszula SoltysIn his statement, McMillan also points to the “moment” poetry is having, with sales last year hitting an all-time high and readers under 34 accounting for two-thirds of sales. “Todd Swift is unsuitable for the role of Oxford professor of poetry, and the level of prestige it offers,” said poets Claire Trevien and Aaron Kent in a joint statement.

Source: The Guardian May 23, 2019 10:31 UTC