Anna Woodford

Anna Woodford is the author of five poetry books and pamphlets: Changing Room (Salt, 2018), Birdhouse (Salt, 2010), Party Piece (Smith Doorstop, 2009), Trailer (Five Leaves, 2008) and The Higgins’ Honeymoon (2003). She has won an Authors’ Foundation award, an Eric Gregory award, a PBS recommendation, an Arvon/Jerwood apprenticeship and two Northern Writers’ awards. Her poetry has been well reviewed in the TLS and Grazia among others.  

Anna’s poetry sequence ‘(T) here’ – based on research from Newcastle and York Universities into well-being and ‘getting out’ – is displayed on the exterior of a Go North East bus in Newcastle. The poetry, encouraging people to be kinder to their fellow passengers, was previously displayed inside hundreds of buses in Newcastle and York, featured on Radio 3 and formed the core of an exhibition Anna curated at Newcastle and York libraries. Anna runs poetry workshops in settings including libraries, hospices, universities and care homes.

Before becoming a freelance writer, Anna worked in PR for Durham University. She has been a peer reviewer for Creative Scotland and completed writing residencies at Hawthornden Castle and the Blue Mountain Center (New York). She was Leverhulme artist in residence at Durham Law School where she wrote about law and loss and has completed residencies at The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Alnwick Garden. Lately she has been collaborating with film makers; her film-poem ‘Work’, with artist Kate Sweeney, was selected for the Zebra poetry film festival. She lives in Newcastle with her husband and son.