Bashir, Joseph and Sode made Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellows

Hafsah Aneela Bashir, Anthony Joseph and Yomi Sode have been selected as the Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellows for 2019/20. 

Each poet receives £15,000, and is given a year of critical support and mentoring. The Fellowship will give the poets the time and space to focus on their craft, exploring and fulfilling their potential, with no expectation that they produce a particular work or outcome, said organisers Jerwood Arts and Arts Council England.

The poets now join the three inaugural Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellows – Raymond Antrobus, Jane Commane and Jackie Hagan. 

L-R Anthony Joseph and Yomi Sode

"The Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellowships offer poets the invaluable opportunity of a year of mentorship, reflection and development at a crucial stage of their practice. I am delighted that Arts Council England is helping to support these three talented poets: their diverse and innovative work showcases the strength and range of poetic practice taking place across the country today," said Sarah Crown, director of literature, Arts Council England.

Poet Malika Booker, who was part of the judging panel, said: "As selectors we were very impressed with the quality and breath of the submissions. The incredible work we saw pushed the boundaries of poetry into unimaginable spaces, by being experimental, cross arts, community focussed, risky, and necessary. We are delighted to have selected these three exceptional poets who particularly encapsulate and exemplify these qualities in their poetic practice."