Jean Sprackland

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Jean Sprackland is the author of three books of poetry and a collection of short stories.

“Sprackland’s poetic is one of concision: taut, well-paced lines and a satisfying exactitude. Her grasp of colloquial speech and sense of restraint make for skilful storytelling.”
Carrie Etter, Times Literary Supplement

Tattoos for Mothers Day (Spike, 1997) was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. Hard Water (Cape, 2003) was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation, and was shortlisted for both the T S Eliot Prize and the Whitbread Award for Poetry. Her third collection, Tilt has won the 2007 Costa Poetry Award.

She was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets in 2004.

“Many of Jean Sprackland’s poems are set in a definite and particular place... From these ‘real’ places her imagination lifts off, accurately recording the daily dramas of all our lives.”
Poetry Book Society

Jean's poem 'The Birkdale Nightingale', recently published in Poetry Review, was shortlisted for the Forward Prize 2007 (Best Single Poem).

“Sprackland’s extraordinary imagination is always grounded in ordinary human emotions and settings… her work shifts perceptions by continually juxtaposing the surprising and the visionary against the familiar and everyday”.
Dr Jules Smith, Contemporary Writers (British Council)