Poems in Progress: Drafts from Master Poets

The British Library's collection of drafts reveals the writing process and themes of culturally significant and emotionally affecting poems, including English, American, Amharic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Persian, Thai, and Sanskrit. Previously unpublished early drafts by practising poets are accompanied by new reflections on their inspiration and craft.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 22 September 2022
Publisher: British Library Publishing

Poets often have vastly different perspectives on their first drafts, reflecting the diverse range of writing processes and styles. These drafts can reveal a wealth of information about a poem and its author, ranging from the meticulously annotated typed pages to the hurried scribbles in a dog-eared notebook. The themes explored in these drafts, such as love, inequality, and the natural world, encompass some of the most culturally significant and emotionally powerful poems in existence.

The British Library's collections feature a diverse array of drafts written on various materials, including school exercise books, mulberry bark, and even Holloway prison toilet paper. These drafts encompass not only English and American poetry but also drafts in languages such as Amharic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Persian, Thai, and Sanskrit. Expert commentary provides insights into the provenance of the manuscripts and the secrets they hold about the writing process.

In addition to previously unpublished early drafts by renowned poets like Benjamin Zephaniah, Simon Armitage, Pascale Petit, and Hollie McNish, this book also includes new reflections from the poets themselves on their inspiration and craft. These insights offer a deeper understanding of the creative journey that led to the final published versions of these poems.

By exploring the first drafts of great poets, readers gain a unique perspective on the writing process and the transformative power of words. These manuscripts serve as a testament to the artistic brilliance and the human spirit, reminding us of the beauty and complexity that can be found in the earliest stages of artistic creation.

Weight: 1102g
Dimension: 208 x 256 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780712354660