I started the Poetry Non-Stop podcast last year to showcase the many poets I’ve got to know and like, and as a source of inspiration for others wanting to write poetry.
Poetry Non-Stop has its roots in 1990s Radio One when Mark Radcliffe’s late night show featured John Hegley, Simon Armitage, Ian McMillan and others reading poetry. They would also set writing exercises and invite listeners to send in their poems. Ian McMillan called it homework. I was absorbed by this poetry community on the airwaves and made regular trips to the postbox with poems bound for Manchester. Some made it onto the airwaves.
Each episode of Poetry Non-Stop begins with the guest poet talking in detail about how they wrote one of their poems and then setting a related writing prompt. I read a poem I’ve written in response and encourage listeners to give it a go as well.
Guests always have plenty to talk about and are very generous with their time and expertise. It has been a useful project to develop my own writing and I hope it benefits many other writers as well.
Listeners are strongly encouraged to do the writing exercises and send in poems to be featured on the blog or podcast. It’s a great opportunity to reach a growing audience and share a platform with dozens of accomplished and award-winning poets.
You can find out more about Poetry Non-Stop and listen to the podcast at www.poetrynonstop.com. You can also subscribe to the podcast via the usual platforms and follow @poetrynonstop on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. For submissions and other inquiries email poetrynonstop@gmail.com
If you are a poet and interested in taking part…
I am always seeking guests to feature on the podcast. I’m looking for poems and prompts which are different to what has been on previous episodes, and poets who can offer advice and inspiration as well as great poetry. Previous guests have included Luke Wright, Christina Thatcher, Martin Figura and Leanne Moden. John McCullough was on the day before he was announced as winner of the 2020 Hawthornden prize for literature.
Biography
Patrick Widdess studied English Literature and Creative Writing at Liverpool John Moores University. His poetry has appeared in The Guardian, The Interpreter’s House, Ink, Sweat and Tears, Cake, Agenda and Waitrose Weekend among others. He now lives in Norwich where he works as a production journalist. He runs a writing group as well as hosting Poetry Non-Stop. www.patrickwiddess.co.uk