Issue One of Speech Therapy out now

national | arts and media | press release Monday May 01, 2006 10:24 by Colin Dardis - Rancid Idols Publications editor_speech at yahoo dot co dot uk

New poetry journal for the North releases first issue

Giving poetry from the North of Ireland a stronger voice, issue one of new journal Speech Therapy is now hot off the press.

Edited by Northern Irish poet Colin Dardis, Speech Therapy promotes the best new writing from poets either currently residing in or originally from the North.

The first issue includes work by a wide variety of poets, from architects to performance artists. Winners of the Brian Moore Short Story Award and the Bridie Canning Poetry Competition also feature.

At a time when readership of poetry is declining, highlighted by Daisy Goodwin’s recent campaign in the Daily Mirror, Speech Therapy believes it is now more vital than ever to provide an accessible outlet to both readers and writers. As Colin explains:

“A lot of people might be put off by poetry as they think a university degree is required to understand it. Speech Therapy aims to publish poetry that is clear in purpose and direct in meaning, to encourage the public’s interest in poetry at all levels.”

Colin’s quest to raise the profile of poetry and bring it under the media spotlight has already been supported by Culture Northern Ireland and the BBC’s Arts Extra programme. Recently speaking on Radio Ulster, he said:

“It doesn't matter if you have won a major award, or have been recently published elsewhere. We only care about giving a voice to top quality poetry, work that deserves to reach a wider audience and be appreciated by readers.

“Whether you've been writing for aeons, redrafting until you've run out of ink, or just starting to put pen or paper, Speech Therapy welcomes your work! If it's clever, unique, emotive and evoking, then we want to publish it!”

Submissions are now open for the second issue with all styles and subjects of poetry being considered.

For further information on Speech Therapy, contact the Editor at [email protected]. Alternatively, visit www.geocities.com/editor_speech for ordering and submission details.