Wordworks

This anthology is the TV tie-in book for Wordworks, a new poetry series originated by Tyne Tees Television for the ITV network. Each programme features several poetry videos in which poems are given stunning visual interpretations. Each is introduced by the poet, whose reading of the poem forms part of the film treatment. Twenty poets from Britain and Ireland have been filmed in their poems in a variety of locations. Paul Durcan drives a hearse. Carol Ann Duffy becomes a tabloid hack in a newspaper office. Benjamin Zephaniah goes on a rapping walkabout. jo shapcott is a mad cow in a supermarket. The Wordworks book is an illustrated anthology featuring all the poems from the six programmes with the poets' own comments, together with photographs and a foreword by Brendan Kennelly. The poems have been chosen for their accessibility and wide appeal, and the book forms a fascinating introduction to a wide range of lively and provocative contemporary poetry. The editors are Neil Astley, editor of Bloodaxe Books, and television producer Mark Lavender. The poets featured are: Fleur Adcock, Simon Armitage, George Charlton, Brendan Cleary, David Constantine, Carol Ann Duffy, Paul Durcan, Linda France, Jackie Kay, Brendan Kennelly, Michael Longley, Glyn Maxwell, Jill Maughan, Sean O'Brien, Tom Pickard, Jo Shapcott, Ken Smith, Anne Stevenson and Benjamin Zephaniah.