Joy Hendry

After years editing Chapman, Scotland's quality literary magazine, Joy is now focussing on her own writing, mainly poetry in English and Scots. She has at last broken into poetry book publishing in her own 'write' with Bearings I, the first publication from The Poets' Republic Press, along with Katy Ewing.

Her writing covers a wide range of subjects, from the intricacies of personal emotion to international politics. Joy continues to explore many issues opened up in Chapman: Scotland, the relationship between its beautiful and varied landscape and the people living there, the delicate balance between nature, culture, history, language etc. She is especially interested in how apparently 'trivial things' can, if examined closely, be seen to have huge, even metaphysical connections and ramifications.

She is a strong and renewed voice in the literary scene, an experienced lecturer on many subjects and loves working with other writers to develop new skills and opportunities. Hand in hand with her commitment to Scotland and its culture is her convinction that the national is fundamentally international, and she is keen to be part of a continuing and forward-looking dialogue between Scotland, Europe and the rest of the world. (Photo credit: Olga Wojtas)