Allison McVety
Book & Pamphlet Competition winner & Forward Prize shortlist
Allison McVety’s first collection, The Night Trotsky Came to Stay (Smith/Doorstop, 2007), was the overall winner of the 2006 Book & Pamphlet Competition, and was shortlisted for the Forward Best First Collection Prize 2008.
Her second collection is Miming Happiness (Smith/Doorstop, 2010).
Allison's poems have appeared in such as the Times and PN Review and have been broadcast on Radio 3. Allison has an MA in Poetry and was shortlisted for the inaugural MMU Poetry Prize 2008.
See here for a list of Allison's forthcoming readings.
IN THE READING ROOM AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY
you can hear the sea. And in this noiseless place,
a pin drop from a milliner’s grip some ninety years
away, or a wren caught in the eaves of a sudden thought.
There’s a finger, sweat greasing its trigger at dawn
as it eases back to join the volley of twelve Enfields
in the yard, dust falling from the walls as we all
fall in time. A rage of sound exalted to stillness
and it carries down the decades. Even after-hours
the librarians whisper here, afraid to weigh their loss
or private joy against the din. As though one
misplaced word could creak like a nightingale
on a parquet floor, jar like a note in a symphony
of counted bars at rest, could make you miss the atom
cracking with the thunder of a goldcrest’s heart.
— Allison McVety, Miming Happiness (Smith/Doorstop, 2010)
Smith/Doorstop titles
The Night Trotsky Came to Stay (2007)
Reviews
REVIEWS FOR THE NIGHT TROTSKY CAME TO STAY:
'The title poem is more than ‘one of those poetic re-workings of a minor historical event, in Allison McVety’s hands we’re in an entirely different, witty and weird world.' — Anne-Marie Fyfe
'Sensuous detail, intellectual curiosity and an echoing, confident music all make this a fully-imagined poetic world.' — Jane Draycott
'An impeccably clear and sculpted collection. Allison McVety’s first book shines. It signals the opening of a career of a writer from whom we can expect wonders' — David Morley
'Well wrought and distinctive, the personal made universal par excellence.' — Susan Utting
REVIEWS FOR MIMING HAPPINESS:
‘Vivid and sensual’ — Vicki Feaver
‘Allison McVety seizes the reader’s attention. Partly it’s a narrative talent, but her particular skill is in converting the feel of the day-to-day – whether ordinary, intriguing or alarming – into genuine poetry’ — Alan Brownjohn
‘Here is a poet who excels at making longgone everyday objects like ration books at once endearing and remarkable. An exhilarating follow-up to her outstanding collection, The Night Trotsky Came to Stay. So clear is her voice that we can hear “a pin drop from a milliner’s grip some ninety years/away”.’ — Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch
Publicity
Complimentary copies of Smith/Doorstop titles are available for publicity or review, and a 40% discount is provided for trade sales. (Contact us using the form here.)
To book a Smith/Doorstop poet for a reading, talk or interview, contact The Poetry Business on marketing@poetrybusiness.co.uk or phone 0114 346 3037. (If the poet has their own agent or representation, we will be able to put you in touch with them.)
