Jack Underwood

Jack Underwood (b. 1984 Norwich) completed a PhD in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths College, where he also teaches English Literature and Creative Writing.

His first poem was about a pair of Adidas Gazelle trainers covered in biro graffiti. Underwood enjoyed poetry at school, though he felt that poems were by ‘dead people’. After studying Simon Armitage at college, the idea of writing a ‘real, live poem’ suddenly seemed ‘plausible’. His favourite poets include Sam Riviere, Emily Berry – both winners of the Forward Prize for Best First Collection – Jennifer Knox and Philip Larkin.

He teaches at the Poetry School, co-edits the anthology series Stop Sharpening Your Knives, and reviews for Poetry London and Poetry Review. His debut collection Happiness will be published by Faber in 2015.

Forward Prizes History:

  • 2014 Forward Prizes for Best Single Poem, shortlisted for ‘Thank You for your Email’ (The White Review)