Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

Not possessing faith in literary manifestos, it appears ironic that this introduction resembles one. However, prior to outlining the journals ethos, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all The Coffee House’s supporters: contributors; subscribers; Kevin, Alison and others at Charnwood Arts; all who’ve given advice and help; shops and libraries who’ve agreed to stock it; and advertisers. This done, I’d like to welcome readers to the first issue, and say a little about the journal.

     The eighteenth-century coffee house was a meeting place for the arts, where literature and visual arts were hotly debated. Thus it gives name to a journal which hopes to enliven that debate. Charnwood seems the ideal setting from which to produce such a journal, being a diverse, multi-cultural, artistic community. As can be seen from the contents page, this is an international journal, with work by East Midlands authors featured alongside poetry by Carribean poet E.A. Markham, American poets William Heyen and Anthony Piccione, and the Booker-shortlisted Martin Booth.

     Unlike some journals, The Coffee House sets down no formal criteria (we welcome both free verse and formal meter), except a high standard of writing. Likewise, there are few restrictions on genre (except, perhaps, science fiction) - for example, Jasmine Hill, published here, is a children’s author. We welcome poetry, short prose (see Catie Gill’s piece here for an idea of length), and black and white (A5) pictures of visual artwork. We don’t, at present, publish reviews, but may in future if the journal expands. All contributors should send clearly typed or written work (addressed), a short biographical note, covering letter, and S.A.E. The journal isn’t academically based and welcomes contributions from all quarters. We have a commitment to visual art, and will publish a centre-fold of two visual pieces, plus a cover where a visual artist interprets the journal’s title (if you are interested in doing this, please contact me at Charnwood Arts). We do not pay contributors, but you will get a complimentary copy of the issue in which your work appears.

     I hope you enjoy The Coffee House’s launch issue. Forthcoming issues include works by John Lucas, Dublin poet Eileen Casey, Martin Booth, Bill Heyen, and others, proving that The Coffee House really is a meeting place for the arts.

Deborah Tyler-Bennett