Helena Nelson
Home address:
21 Hatton Green, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 4SD, ScotlandEmail:
nell@happenstancepress.comWebsite:
www.happenstancepress.comBRAW network:
noLL funded:
yesBiography:
Helena Nelson is poet, critic and part-time publisher. Her book, Starlight on Water, was joint winner of the Jerwood Aldeburgh Prize for best first poetry collection. She reviews poetry for a wide variety of magazines, edits Sphinx (a magazine about poetry publishing) and runs HappenStance Press. She is a widely experienced reader and an assured, entertaining performer. Her day job is in further education.
About writer's work:
I love reading and writing poetry. I enjoy light verse very much, as well as the heavier variety, and I specially favour lyrical, musical poetry. I can’t write to order: I have to wait until inspiration strikes, but after that I beat the poem into shape remorselessly. As an editor, I love talking to other writers about their work; I love the fascination of seeing a poet develop, grow in confidence and finally soar. I think being a good reader of poetry is just as important as writing well: that’s why I continue to review widely. And finally I think poets, like most other people, need to cultivate a sense of humour to stay sane. The themes I explore include love, loss, anorexia, fun, poetic personae.
About writer's events and projects:
I am available to do readings of my own work; talks on the challenge of small-press publishing; workshops on review writing; and after-dinner speaking. I can also bring groups of HappenStance poets to talk about their work and read from it.
Language:
EnglishAge groups:
5-8, 9-12, Teens, Adults