From ALISON BRACKENBURY, poet and reviewer
As a poet and reviewer, I would like to send a brief but heartfelt protest at the decision to withdraw funding from Arc and Enitharmon. I have never had collections published by either press, so write as a disinterested reader.
The survival of a wide range of dedicated independent presses is vital for poetry in this country. The chief glory of British poetry today is its diversity. This is vividly reflected in the lists of both publishers. I would particularly direct your attention to their role in publishing new poets, especially women, and to Arc’s much-admired translation programme. As a poet, I can testify that translated poetry can be one of the most powerful and beneficial influences on a poet’s work. The disappearance of a publisher dedicated and experienced in translated poetry would be a great loss.
As a regular reviewer for several major poetry journals (including Poetry Review) I have been consistently impressed by the work published by both presses, both from their established and new writers. I would suggest that withdrawing grants completely from respected presses is an unnecessarily destructive method of making economies. I am encouraged to hear that it is possible for both presses to apply to the Grants for the Arts scheme. I hope that this will prove a lifeline for both Arc and Enitharmon. Theirs is not a loss we can afford.