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The Tabla Book of New Verse logo



The Tabla Book of New Verse, an annual publication, ran from 1998 to 2004 and was the successor to Tabla poetry magazine (1992-97). These popular anthologies contained new work by some of the most prominent figures in contemporary verse, including Seamus Heaney, Carol Rumens, Paul Muldoon, Charles Tomlinson, Kathleen Raine, John Burnside, Peter Redgrove, Charles Simic and Pauline Stainer. Tabla prided itself equally on the publication of excellent work by less familiar names (some of which was sourced from a tie-in competition). Reviews and essays were carried from 1993 to 1999.

The anthologies were widely praised in the poetry press for their contents and their elegant design. Tabla also repeatedly enjoyed the distinction of publishing poems which were then shortlisted for the Best Individual Poem of the Year category of the Forward Poetry Awards (one each in 1995 and 1997 and two in 2001).

The Tabla venture was founded in 1991 by Stephen James and Emma Aylett; Stephen James was the sole editor from 1995 onwards. The name of the journal derived from the traditional Indian drum-set which, with its ability to yield subtle variations of tone and timbre, offered the founders a metaphor for the kind of poem they hoped to hit upon.

Tabla’s publication activities have now ceased: please do not send submissions to the editor.


The Tabla Book of New Verse 2004 cover



Issues available online

Tabla’s publication activities have now ceased: please do not send submissions to the editor.