Winner of Brotherton Poetry Prize announced

A wordsmith who used to write without telling anyone has been given the Brotherton Poetry Prize from the University of Leeds Poetry Centre. A team of judges, which included the Poet Laureate and a professor named Simon Armitage, made the decision.

The Brotherton Poetry Prize is intended to support individuals who are new to the world of poetry. It is available to anyone who is 18 years of age or older, and who has not yet released a complete set of poems.

The individual who won for this year is Dillon Jaxx, an author who identifies as queer and disabled. Before taking a poetry class in 2011 due to the treatment they had for cancer, Dillon wrote mostly in secrecy.

Attending the poetry class brought people together, and Jaxx found a writers' group online that they still participate in. Jaxx shared that the help and motivation from other poets has played a massive role in their development. Feedback and inspiration were crucial to their growth.

As a supporter of new poets, I highly recommend applying for the Brotherton Poetry Prize. My personal experience as a finalist and attending the award ceremony was truly remarkable and worthwhile.

From that time onwards, Jaxx has had their work presented on the internet and in hard copy, emerged as the triumphant poet in the Wolverhampton Poetry Competition of 2024, and also got awarded the Rebecca Swift composition prize for the year 2022.

Jaxx, located in Sussex, suggested: "I strongly urge up-and-coming poets to submit their work for the Brotherton Poetry Prize. Being selected as a finalist and attending the award ceremony was incredibly enjoyable."

Achieving the prize seems like a significant accomplishment, and I trust that the event has created a fresh group of poets who will remain in contact. My next objective is to have a compilation of my works printed.

The University of Leeds Poetry Centre had a group of famous poets judge and give an award this year. The panel included Simon Armitage, who holds the titles of Poet Laureate and Professor of Poetry at Leeds, Malika Booker, a past Douglas Caster Cultural Fellow in Poetry, Kimberly Campanello, a Professor of Poetry, Zaffar Kunial, a former Douglas Caster Cultural Fellow, Dr Caitlin Stobie, who teaches Creative Writing, and Professor John Whale, the Director of the Leeds Poetry Centre.

The photo shows a group of people standing in a line, from left to right. The individuals in the picture are Malika Booker, Zaffar Kunial, Adam Panichi, Lucy Holme, Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Dillon Jaxx, Professor John Whale, Dr Caitlin Stobie, Professor Simon Armitage, Jam Kraprayoon, David Brotherton, Will Fleming and Professor Kimberly Campanello.

Individuals can take part in the contest by presenting a small set of five poems or a maximum of 200 lines. The contestant who emerges victorious will be rewarded with a cash prize. Furthermore, the top five poets will get the opportunity to have their work published in the upcoming volume of the Brotherton Poetry Prize Anthology.

There were four people who didn't win the competition. They are Jam Kraprayoon, who went to Oxford and LSE, is from Bangkok, and splits their time between Bangkok and London. Lucy Holme works at the University College Cork as a postgraduate researcher and creative writing teacher. Will Fleming is from County Wicklow in Ireland, and has a PhD from UCL. Lastly, Adam Panichi is from the University of Leeds and lives in Italy and the UK.

This year, there have been over 250 amazing submissions for the prize, which is an incredibly humbling and satisfying experience. It is a great responsibility for poets to judge each other, and selecting a winner proved to be quite challenging.

On Tuesday 14 May, the outcomes were declared during a feast and poetry session graced by Interim Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Hai-Sui Yu, who is an established poet. In addition, David Brotherton, the celebrated University donor Lord Brotherton's great-nephew, who the award is titled after, was also present.

"Page-bound Poetry: A Tribute"

The website acts as a bridge between the poet and the reader, allowing for a connection to be made through words. To celebrate this connection, the Brotherton Poetry Prize was created to recognize and encourage this telepathic experience.

Simon Armitage, who is both a Professor of Poetry and Poet Laureate, expressed that poetry that is written on a flat surface can accomplish things that other kinds of poetry cannot achieve. The page serves as a "telepathic mediator" that connects the poet with the reader, which is why the Brotherton Poetry Prize was created; to celebrate and encourage this form of communication.

The Leeds Poetry Centre's Director, Professor John Whale, declared that this year's edition of the contest received over 250 exceptional submissions, which he found both gratifying and humbling. He also acknowledged how judges face a significant challenge when selecting the winner of such a prestigious competition.

This presents a fantastic chance for the poets to develop their skills and they are thrilled with the possibility of gaining recognition for their initial published works.

During the awards ceremony, Jaxx expressed their admiration for their friend, Kathryn Bevis, who had passed away. Jaxx mentioned how highly regarded Kathryn was in the world of poetry and how she had been a source of encouragement and motivation for them. Jaxx felt that Kathryn's presence was with them throughout the entire day and evening.

In the beginning of the year, the Government promised to give £5million to create a new National Poetry Centre. Professor Armitage will lead the initiative, which will be located on the University campus. Even though the registered charity is not directly affiliated with the University, the Leeds Poetry Centre and School of English will be working closely with the national organisation. Members of the National Poetry Centre were present during the ceremony.

Check out "trans substantiation," one of the poems featured in Jaxx's award-winning submission, down below.

"Transforming Through Dillon Jaxx"

On this specific Sunday, everything was happening as usual with people either placing their hands together or sticking out their tongues. Those who were not shy about it kept their mouths wide open to receive a part of God's body.

If they say that there's nothing left now, it means that we've consumed all of God. To bring Him back, everybody must contribute a portion of themselves.

I rushed to the front and quickly pulled my long hair back, preparing myself. They then laid me down and straightened out my messy hair, placing it gently over the marble surface.

blessing With a swift movement of the cleaver, I break free from the power of the altar. Around me, incense smoke rises in wispy swirls from metallic pots held by assistants. We receive the blessing of our newly appointed deity.

As I stand before the grandiose doors, eagerly awaiting the green light to embark on my new journey, I pray that my presence is not unnoticed by the divine being. Although I know that I have been granted permission to leave, I still feel a sense of hesitation. While I yearn to move forward, I also cannot disregard the bittersweet feeling of leaving behind what once was. Nonetheless, I must take a step forward and trust that fate will guide me towards the path that I am meant to follow.

If you need to speak with someone from the media, you can get in touch with Mia Saunders at the press office for the University of Leeds by sending an email to [email protected].

The winner of the Brotherton Poetry Prize in 2024 was Dillon Jaxx. He was pictured with Simon Armitage, who is both the Poet Laureate and a professor.