JIM
BENNETT
Jim was born
and still lives near Liverpool in England. He
grew up in Liverpool during the years of the
Liverpool Sound and the Liverpool Poets and it is
from this tradition that he developed his own
unique style and voice.
He
is the author of 74 books including books of
poetry, books for children, and technical
training manuals. In addition his CD "Down
in Liverpool" a selection of poetry and
music has brought Jim to the notice of a much
wider audience.
In a career
spanning the years since he first performed in 1967 in
Liverpool, Jim has won many accolades for
his performances and writing. Including;
Manchester Slam Winner
Fante Prize
for Literature (New Mexico)
Poetry Super Highway Poet of
the Year.
Sefton
Literary Competition winner.
San Francisco Beat
Poetry Festival Competition, 1st prize and Judges
Choice - October
His
poetry has been widely published in magazines and
anthologies and he regularly performs at poetry
events and festivals in the UK and USA and he has
been nominated for the Pushcart Award for his
published work in the USA. (as of 2019 he has had a
total of 14 nominations)
For many years Jim
ran courses in Creative Writing for the
University of Liverpool, Edge Hill University
College and the Workers Education Association.
He represented
Liverpool at many events both in Liverpool and around Britain
and has opened
'The National Year for Disability in Sport' for
the BBC. His artwork based on poetry and
drawings was displayed in the University of Liverpool as part of
the Liverpool Art Biennial. He
performed at
events for both Liverpool and Everton FC including the launch of 'Remember the Kop' and
'Everton Eighties' and for Merseyside Museums to
tremendous acclaim. His poem
"Liverpool Is" was selected to be put
on permanent display at Liverpool FC Museum. after being used as
the poem representing Liverpool for the year when Liverpool was
European Capital of Culture.
Jim became the
Managing Editor of Poetry Kit (poetrykit.org) the extensive
on-line poetry resource website on the death of his friend Ted
Slade.
He read his poetry for the Royal party as
part of the
Royal visit of HRH The Prince Edward to NWDAF
Headquarters, Liverpool.
READING
FOR A ROYAL VISIT
Susan Hedges - Jim
Bennett - HRH Prince Edward
(photo Leila Romaya)
Jim was appointed Birkenhead's Poet
in Residence to help create a Poem for
Birkenhead for channel five arts cities.
October 2005 -
Jim Bennett and Paul O'Grady
-
Launch
of
A
Poem for Birkenhead
Jim was honoured
with the post of Poet in residence for
Liverpool's Historic Waterfront and as visiting
poet for New York's (US) Waterfront. A two year
project to explore the bonds between the two
cities.
Jim was voted Poet of the Year
in 2006 and 2018
by the readers of Western Literary Magazine, NY.
Geoff
Stevens and Jim Bennett at Fly In The Loaf, PK Reading 2009
JIM BENNETT (LEFT) MEETING HRH THE
PRINCE EDWARD IN NOV 2004 AFTER
GIVING A POETRY READING FOR THE
PRINCE
(photo Leila Romaya)
Reading for Adoption Matters North
West
event at Gorton Abbey.Jan 2011
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