The last few weeks has seen national acclaim earned by three of our talented OUPS poets.

Karen Macfarlane is one of twelve poets who have contributed to The Poetry of Crime, commissioned poems based upon classic crime movies, published by Tippermuir Books. The book will be launched at ‘Perth Noir’, an event held as part of Scottish Book Week on 18^th November 2023. Karen’s poem, ‘All Lies, Sweetheart’, was inspired by The Maltese Falcon (1941, John Houston).

Furthermore, Sue Spiers with her poem, The Snowdrop Campaign, and Pru Bankes Price with her poem, Misconception Of A Pair Of Shoes, were both highly commended in the King Lear Prizes 2023 (Experienced Amateur Category) which attracted over 1,500 entries!

Sue lives in Hampshire and edits the annual anthology for the Open University Poetry Society. She also supports Winchester Muse. Her poems have appeared in Acumen, Fenland Poetry Journal, The North. Obsessed with Pipework and South magazines and on-line at Dust, The High Window and Ink, Sweat & Tears. Sue Tweets @spiropoetry.

Pru is a long-retired PA who, despite setbacks, remains a positive thinker while enjoying an easy lifestyle on the North Cornish coast. Her huge love of laughter sometimes proved a disadvantage but these days it keeps her sane and is often reflected in her poetry which tends to focus on life experiences.

Congratulations to all three!