Having cut my teeth in the performance poetry world and then been side-tracked into publishing I was well aware of how these two worlds rarely interact, I wanted to do something about that.
“I contacted the brilliant performance poetry organisation Apples and Snakes and my very first editor Janetta Otter-Barry. I pitched a project that would get some for the new voices known by Apples and Snakes and take them through a process that would result in their brilliant poetry being traditionally published for young people. In that same spirit it seemed only right that we give children an opportunity to have their poems featured in the collection, further dismantling the idea that poetry is something only ever done by other people.”
A kernel of truth
The adult poets selected for Spin had the opportunity to take part in a series of mentoring sessions with Joseph, which he describes as “a real treat” because he gets to ”talk about craft with passionate individuals”. He goes on to say: “Running these sessions requires me to look inward and to interrogate what it is I do so that I can find the kernel of useful truth that can be passed on to others. [We explored] different ways into writing poetry for young people, we mined our childhoods for memories and reflected on themes important to young people today.” As the session progressed, Joseph says: “I was blown away week by week as the poets sent in more and more poems that spoke of their childhoods. They were brave and honest in their tellings. I knew right away that we were creating a collection that
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would speak to adults and teenagers alike.” One of the uniting elements of the poets featured in Spin is their background in performance, literally giving voice to their poems. And for Joseph, this element of vocalising and sharing poetry adds to its potency. The act of reading aloud and together can enhance the experience (Poems Aloud is the title of one of Joseph’s own collections, that is designed to be read in company). Joseph says: “Often reading a poem out loud is a shared experience. It is that collective buzz in the room that makes it extra special. Why is eating at a table with others more of an experience than eating alone? Why is dancing at a celebration with friends and family more thrilling than a solo, behind-doors jig? Something special occurs when we come together as human beings and tune into the same frequency, when we are all contemplating the same words and conjuring up our own version of a shared image.”
Passion and commitment Joseph’s two-year Children’s Laureateship with BookTrust is in its final months, but he is continuing to use his position to help others through the Bookmaker Like You project, which is run in conjunction with BookTrust and “underlines the importance of diversity in publishing, giving as many children as possible a chance to see themselves as someone involved in making books”.
Prior to his appointment as Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Joseph embarked on a mission to visit and join every library service in the UK. That was in 2019, but when COVID hit he had to put that on hold with 73 still left on his list. After his appointment as Children’s Laureate he
completed the task with the help of BookTrust (earning himself an Honorary Fellowship from CILIP on his way, as recognition of his work to improve literacy and his support for public libraries).
“The librarians and their passion and commitment to their services and their communities never failed to inspire and impress,” says Joseph. “It’s been wonderful to see children’s coming up to me at events and asking about how they can join the library. For me this was what it was always about, getting new people through the doors and I’m pleased to say that the visits have done that in spades.” So, what next for Joseph? Aside from
his final month’s as Children’s Laureate (his two-year term ends this summer), Joseph says we can expect “quite a few books and writing commissions some of which I’m not allowed to mention yet! But out of the things I can mention you can expect another Luna title from me and Fiona Lumbers called Luna Loves Gardening, another Poems Out Loud title from myself and Daniel Grey-Barnett, a new Christmas title for 2024 called The Christmas Tree Mouse, illustrated by debut artist Farah Shah and a new exciting magical middle-grade series with Walker Books. “Keep an eye out for the Luna Loves
Library Day Musical which will be back on tour in 2024 with Little Seeds Children’s Theatre Company.” PEN&INC
Find out more about Spin (out now and published by Otter-Barry Books) and the poets who have shaped it on the following pages.
Spring-Summer 2024
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