Paul Henry

Described by the late U.A. Fanthorpe as 'a poet's poet' who combines 'a sense of the music of words with an endlessly inventive imagination', Paul Henry came to poetry through songwriting. Born in Aberystwyth and now based in Crickhowell, his work has been widely anthologised and regularly appears in journals as diverse as Poetry Wales and The TLS. A popular creative writing tutor, he ran Ledbury Festival's Poetry Cafe at Hereford's Courtyard theatre and is a regular tutor at writers' centres. He's also taught at the University of South Wales and has guest-edited Poetry Wales.

Mari d'Ingrid, a translation of his fifth book, Ingrid's Husband (Seren), was published in France by L'Harmattan. His new and selected poems, The Brittle Sea, appeared in 2010. This was followed in 2012 by its Indian version, The Black Guitar. A regular reader and performer at festivals, he has recently written and presented arts programmes for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4. His sixth Boy Running, was published in February 2015 and was shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year in 2016, and in February 2018 his latest collection, The Glass Aisle, was added to the ranks and even lead to a performance version co-written with fellow musician and songwriter Brian Briggs. They performed it at festivals throughout the summer and there is now a CD available to purchase. 

Paul's website.

Books

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Author Events

Monday 17th July, 10:00
The Garsdale Retreat

Taught by tutor Paul Henry, this popular course, will appeal to those keen to develop their poetry within a supportive, homely environment. Welcoming new and experienced poets, it will include a combination of writing workshops, readings and tutorials to focus on the creative choices we make as poets. As we write, we’ll consider the craft and mystery of poetry: the intuitive melding of form and subject; full- and half-rhyme, how traditional metres can enrichen free verse, the power of image and refrain …. Using a broad range of poetic voices and themes as stimulus, we’ll write out of memory...

Friday 21st April, 10:30 to 12:00
Abergavenny

The Singing Page – a poetry workshop with Paul Henry This workshop welcomes new and experienced poets keen to explore the abiding influence of music on poetry. Whether you’re a poet seeking to refine the lyricism of your ‘voice’, or a songwriter keen to extend the range of your lyrics, here’s an opportunity to try out and discuss new approaches within a friendly, supportive atmosphere. You’ll ask what poetry can learn from the song lyric, and vice versa; reminding yourselves how the “sullen art” is rooted in song, from the dancing roots of metrical forms to the personal jazz of free verse....