English

The Thinking

To see things otherwise is to alter their meaning and explore in uncharted ways. Poetry is a revolutionary activity, socially critical, sometimes utopian or dystopian, an architectural expression, and a rebellion against a conventional picture of the world in which the most skewed vision can give the greatest clarity.

In 2007 a group of poets from Canterbury in the UK released the first issue of Conversation Poetry Quarterly: a magazine that tries to open poetry publication to the possibilities inherent in the alternatives that the poet creates.

In 2009, The Conversation International Poetry Project was launched as a way of widening this dialogue.  Through a series of independent magazines in multiple languages, we are able to take this philosophy outside of the English speaking world. We now have Italian and Turkish magazines, with Arabic and Brazilian Portuguese editions due out in 2010. As we are able to cater for more languages, regions and cultures the project will continue to grow.

Even where a language does not yet have a dedicated magazine, we hope to be able to widen the possibilities open to international poets through translations into the existing editions. For details visit the Translation page.

Late 2009 also sees the first books and pamphlets of The Conversation Paperpress. With a focus on anthologies and joint collections we are collecting poetry from varied voices, and trying to encourage  an international readership for marginalised poets. These books will open up English-speaking poetry to the people and places that often remain hidden. Our pamphlets will showcase the work of young and establishing poets in much the same way as the magazine has attempted to do over the last two years, in affordable, pocket editions.

Contact Us

If you have any enquiries or would like to become involved in the project, please email

editor@conversationpoetry.co.uk

We also have a Facebook group.