Andrew McMillan returns as 2016 Poet in Residence

We are delighted to announce that Andrew McMillan will be returning to Ilkley Literature Festival as our 2016 Poet in Residence.

Andrew, who was Apprentice Poet in Residence in 2010, recently became the first poet to win the Guardian First Book Award for his collection, Physical which was also shortlisted for the Costa Poetry Prize. As Poet in Residence he will be reading at the Festival, running workshops, creating new work and curating a strand of events.

Rachel Feldberg, Festival Director, said “Our Poet in Residence and Apprentice Poet in Residence programmes are designed to give poets and emerging writers the opportunity to showcase their work and develop their skills. It is a real pleasure to be able to invite one of our apprentices back to the Festival at such an important point in his career. We’ve been watching Andrew’s progress over the last few years with great pleasure  and we are really excited about bringing his voice and talent to the 2016 Festival.

Andrew McMillan said “When I first ever started out as a poet, Ilkley Literature Festival invited me to be their Apprentice Poet in Residence; it’s a joy to be returning this year, not only as Poet in Residence but also with the scope to curate a strand of the festival.”

Applications for the Apprentice Poet in Residence position will open in April.