Anthologies

Popular anthologies might have increased the readership of contemporary poetry but have they increased understanding? Ian McMillan and his guest explore some of the much-loved and influential tomes so many of us read from school-days on. Neil Astley and and Michael Schmidt debate the blockbuster anthologies of recent years. Poet and anthologist Roddy Lumsden spots young talent and isn't afraid to use the provocative title 'Best British Poetry' while Kevin Jackson presents an anthology of weird and wonderful anthologies from the past and looks at the roots of the curated collection of poetry. Claire Allfree considers the market for and marketing of the these weighty volumes. And, the poet Gwyneth Lewis with a new Verb commission imagining the anthology as a poetry gymnasium and a poet's perspective on what it means to be in, and out of a new anthology.