LJMU poet's debut wins prestigious award

Andrew McMillan, poet, author and lecturer of Creative Writing at Liverpool Screen School received the Fenton Aldeburgh First Collection Prize for his debut poetry collection, Physical.

Physical was shortlisted with five outstanding titles and the judges, Patience Agbabi, Tiffany Atkinson and Robert Seatter, unanimously agreed that the prize should go to Andrew.

The prize, now in its fourth year receives funding from the Fenton Arts Trust, and on top of the cash prize, the winner receives a week of writing time spent on the ‘inspirational Suffolk coast’, as well as an invitation to read at the forthcoming Alenburgh Poetry Festival.

Commenting on the prize, one of the judges, Patience said:

"Physical demands a visceral response. We feel the breath, taste the sweat, hear these poems on the page. This intelligent homage to masculinity takes bold risks in form and content. Memorable and quite often, electrifying."

Following the awards, Andrew commented

"It's a real honour to have won this prize, that's gone to many poets I admire over the last few years, Helen Mort in 2013 and my editor at Jonathan Cape, Robin Robertson in 2007. The recognition of a very personal book is wonderful, and the prize also comes with a week of protected writing time on the Suffolk coast which will be a great way to kick-start some new poems."

Physical is available on Jonathan Cape now.