In 2001 I completed an MA in Creative Writing at Lancaster University, gaining a Distinction. That was a turning point for me. I decided to continue seriously with my writing and was lucky enough to have my first collection - Ice - published by Smith/Doorstop a year later, it being a winner in their annual Book and Pamphlet Competition.
 
My second collection - House by the Sea - was published by Arrowhead in 2003 and in the last month I have had my first full-length collection accepted by the same publisher. Hopefully it will be out towards the end of this year.
 
I was interested in the Poet Laureate post because I wanted to show people that poetry is not all clever-clever stuff, written for the elite. It can relate to everyone and it's brilliant when someone comes up to you after a reading and says how a particular poem struck a chord with them.
 
I am also interested in learning how to run poetry workshops. This is in the process of being firmed up, with various local notables! taking part. Ideally there would be at least 6 workshops, possibly at monthly intervals.
 
To conclude, I write because I have to. Hardly a day goes by without wanting to feel the buzz, and even if I discard what I've written, it helps in the process of making me a better poet. Poetry enables me to focus on something inside myself, forget my everyday concerns. More people should try it!

Click on the links below to read some of Jenny's poems.