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Forward Arts Foundation Poetry Forward Poetry Prize Winners

Forward Poetry Prize winners

The Forward Poetry Prizes were launched in 1991 to bring the public's attention to contemporary poetry. They are the richest annual awards in the UK, with a total prize value of £16,000, to reward both established and up-and-coming poets.
2006
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 2007
Best collection 2006Best collection 2006
Robin Robertson Swithering (Picador)

Best first collection 2006Best first collection 2006
Tishani Doshi Countries of the Body (Aark Arts)

Best single poem 2006Best single poem 2006
Sean O'Brien Fantasia on a Theme of James Wright (Poetry Review)
2005
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 2006
Best collection 2005Best collection 2005
David Harsent Legion (Faber & Faber)

Best first collection 2005Best first collection 2005
Helen Farish Intimates (Jonathan Cape)

Best single poem 2005Best single poem 2005
Paul Farley Liverpool Disappears for a Billionth of a Second (The North)
2004
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 2005
Best collection 2004Best collection 2004
Kathleen Jamie The Tree House (Picador)

Best first collection 2004Best first collection 2004
Leontia Flyn These Days (Jonathan Cape)

Best single poem 2004Best single poem 2004
Daljit Nagra Look We Have Coming To Dover! (Poetry Review)
2003
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 2004
Best collection 2003Best collection 2003
Ciaran Carson Breaking News (The Gallery Press)

Best first collection 2003Best first collection 2003
A.B. Jackson Fire Stations (Anvil Press)

Best single poem 2003Best single poem 2003
Robert Minhinnick The Fox in the National Museum of Wales (Poetry London)
2002
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 2003
Best collection 2002Best collection 2002
Peter Porter Max is Missing (Picador)

Best first collection 2002Best first collection 2002
Tom French Touching the Bones (The Gallery Press)

Best single poem 2002Best single poem 2002
Mebdh McGuckian She is in the Past, She has this Grace (The Shop)
2001
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 2002
Best collection 2001Best collection 2001
Sean O'Brien Downriver (Picador)

Best first collection 2001Best first collection 2001
John Stammers The Panoramic Lounge Bar (Picador)

Best single poem 2001Best single poem 2001
Ian Duhig The Lammas Hireling
2000
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 2001
Best collection 2000Best collection 2000
Michael Donaghy Conjure (Picador)

Best first collection 2000Best first collection 2000
Andrew Waterhouse In (The Rialto)

Best single poem 2000Best single poem 2000
Tessa Biddington The Death of Descartes
1999
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 2000
Best collection 1999Best collection 1999
Jo Shapcott My Life Asleep (Oxford University Press)

Best first collection 1999Best first collection 1999
Nick Drake The Man in the White Suit (Bloodaxe)

Best single poem 1999Best single poem 1999
Robert Minhinnick Twenty-five Laments for Iraq
1998
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 1999
Best collection 1998Best collection 1998
Ted Hughes Birthday Letters (Faber and Faber)

Best first collection 1998Best first collection 1998
Paul Farley The Boy from the Chemist is Here to See You (Picador)

Best single poem 1998Best single poem 1998
Sheenagh Pugh Envying Owen Beattie
1997
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 1998
Best collection 1997Best collection 1997
Jamie McKendrick The Marble Fly (Oxford University Press)

Best first collection 1997Best first collection 1997
Robin Robertson A Painted Field (Picador)

Best single poem 1997Best single poem 1997
Lavinia Greenlaw A World Where News Travelled Slowly
1996
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 1997
Best collection 1996Best collection 1996
John Fuller Stones and Fires (Chatto & Windus)

Best first collection 1996Best first collection 1996
Kate Clanchy Slattern (Chatto & Windus)

Best single poem 1996Best single poem 1996
Kathleen Jamie The Graduates
1995
Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 1996
Best collection 1995Best collection 1995
Sean O'Brien Ghost Train (Oxford University Press)

Best first collection 1995Best first collection 1995
Jane Duran Breathe Now, Breathe (Enitharmon Press)

Best single poem 1995Best single poem 1995
Jenny Joseph In Honour of Love
1994

Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 1995
Best collection 1994Best collection 1994
Alan Jenkins Harm (Chatto & Windus)

Best first collection 1994Best first collection 1994
Kwame Dawes Progeny of Air (Peepal Tree)

Best single poem 1994Best single poem 1994
Iain Crichton Smith Autumn
1993

Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 1994
Best collection 1993Best collection 1993
Carol Ann Duffy Mean Time (Anvil Press)

Best first collection 1993Best first collection 1993
Don Paterson Nil Nil (Faber and Faber)

Best single poem 1993Best single poem 1993
Vicki Feaver Judith
1992

Cover of the Forward Book of Poetry 1993
Best collection 1992Best collection 1992
Thom Gunn The Man with Night Sweats (Faber and Faber)

Best first collection 1992Best first collection 1992
Simon Armitage Kid (Faber and Faber)

Best single poem 1992Best single poem 1992
Jackie Kay Black Bottom


     
    The Forward Book of Poetry
For annual anthologies of the best shortlisted poems, and Poems of the Decade, featuring 127 poets from ten years of the Forward Poetry Prize, visit Faber and Faber 		Buy online