Luke Kennard

Poetry Arena

Poetry Arena

Luke Kennard was born in Kingston Upon Thames in 1981 and grew up in Luton. He writes and published poetry and short stories and has written for the stage, taking numerous productions to the Edinburgh Fringe. He has a PhD in English from the University of Exeter and lectures in creative writing at the University of Birmingham. He won an Eric Gregory Award in 2005 and his first collection of prose poems The Solex Brothers was published later that year by Stride. His second collection The Harbour Beyond the Movie was published by Salt in 2007 and was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best Collection, making him the youngest poet ever to be shortlisted. His new collection, The Migraine Hotel is available now from Salt and was recognised by the Guardian Review as a ‘Treat in Store for 2009’. His criticism has appeared in Poetry London and the Times Literary Supplement.

Kennard’s live show has been described as “surprisingly funny.” Nick Laird, writing for The Telegraph, described it as “Inventive, academically aware, fearless and hugely enjoyable.”  Ian MacMillan in The Times, said: “His language is exciting and it feels to me that he’s a truly 21st-century writer, taking inspiration from all over the place, unafraid of barriers and conventions.” However, this should not imply that Kennard has no respect for actual barriers and fences, which would be a potential security risk in a festival setting. He reads from the page, occasionally glancing up to frown at someone in the audience and delivers his work in a surly, fuck you kind of a voice. Not to be missed.