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Jane Weir
Location:
Matlock, Derbyshire
Genres:
Literary Fiction, Other, Plays and Scripts, Poetry
Biography
Born in Manchester 1963. I’m Anglo- Italian – I have and English Mother and an Italian Father. I have two honours degrees, a BA and an MA. I work professionally as a writer and designer.I am the fiction editor of Iota literary journal and also a critic. I have extensive experience of working with major archives, specifically in the area of textile design, fashion and costume.
I currently have six titles in print, including two poetry collections, two poetry pamphlets, a poetic biography and a short monograph.
Bibliography
Selected Publications
Poetry Collections
The Way I Dressed During The Revolution (Templar Poetry 2005) 2nd Edition 2010
Before Playing Romeo (Templar Poetry 2007)
Walking The Block (Templar Poetry 2008)
An innovative poetic biography on the life, work and design practices of the Modernist Hand Block Printers Phyllis Barron and Dorothy Larcher.I worked exclusively with two major archives holding their work for three years.
Pamphlets & Monographs
Alice (Templar Poetry 2006)
Partially based on the life of the Derby suffragette and pacifist Alice Wheeldon.
Between the Dome and the Stars: Monograph on the poet Charlotte Mew. Templar Poetry 2007)
Signs Of Early Man Templar Poetry 2009)
The major preoccupations of this pamphlet is Derbyshire, specifically its literary, design and artistic connections including D. H Lawerence, Alan Bates, Katherine Mansfield and David Mellor. The pamphlet explores the philosophy of ‘making through play’ in terms of eductional practice.
Forthcoming:
Monograph: Katherine Mansfield’s Theatrical Handbag (Templar)
Fourth Poetry Collection: Due for publication 2011 (Templar Poetry)
Radio Play (2009)
‘When Dorothy Met Phyllis’ : partially adapted from Walking The Block
I am currently working on a stage play about the two women.
Contributed to
Anthologies
Out Of Fashion: Faber & Faber 2006
Answering Back: Picador 2007
Forward Book Of Poetry 2007& 2008
AQA GCSE Literature Anthology, OUP, 2010 and several associated educational study guides.
Also numerous smaller anthologies in England and North America.
Magazine Publications including
PN Review, Tatler, Selvedge ( showcased ),
Ambit.
Performances & Workshops
I have read and discussed my work extensively across the British Isles in the broadcast media, in libraries, universities and colleges and at a range of poetry and literature festivals and venues. These include The Wordsworth Trust, The Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry, Bath Spa University, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Kings Lynn Poetry Festival, Canadian High Commission, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Derby, RTE Radio and Television, Derwent Poetry Festival.
Prizes & Awards
Joint Winner Dawson Jackson Award 2004
‘The Way I Dressed During the Revolution’: Shortlisted in The Glen Dimplex New Writers Awards, 2006
Winner Wigtown International Poetry Competition 2007
‘Walking the Block’: Shortlisted & Highly Commended in the Literature Category of the British Book Design Awards: 2009 – as both designer and author.
I wish to acknowledge two Grants for the Arts Awards from Arts Council England which have enabled me to write my work.
Available for the following:
Community Group Work, Lectures / Talks / Panels, Live Performances, TeachingWork Experience/Qualifications
I am an experienced speaker and reader and have read and discussed my work extensively across the British Isles on the broadcast media, in colleges, universities, art galleries and museums, libraries, reading groups, reading days, schools as well as major literature festivals and established poetry venues. I am happy to consider any proposals regarding appearances in these and similar environments.
I have worked with educational bodies in relation to teaching poetry at Key Stage 4, as well as teaching at undergraduate level.
One of my poems is now included in the GCSE English Literature syllabus by AQA and is also one of the poems included in the For several years I have worked with Oxfam Bookshops reading and discussing my work across the country and I toured Oxfam Bookshops in the 2010 Oxfam BookFest.
Want to know more?
You can request more information about this writer by sending an email to antonia@writingeastmidlands.co.uk.
Websites, blogs and links to work
Professional website
http://www.janeweir.co.uk/
