I was lucky enough for one of my poems to win the Disabled Poets Prize 2024 run by London Writers Centre and CRIPtic Arts. This led me to a TLC Editor 1-1 with Ahren Warner. Ahren’s editorial eye was sharp and inquisitive. His questions about my intentions for the work gave the poems better direction. His attention to detail and unassuming questioning was pivotal in shaping the poem. He was interested in who I was writing after and for, who I was reading at the time and his feedback spoke those things. This was hugely important in setting the tone of our session. He also recommended some books/poets whose work specifically thinks about vulnerability on the page. I still think back to this feedback because it was valuable beyond just the three poems we looked at. The insights were around my practice, positioning and desires as a writer.
Gayathiri Kamalakanthan,
Bad Queer,
Faber & Faber