Michael Laskey has published three collections and most recently a pamphlet in 2007 – Living by the Sea (Smith/Doorstop). His New & Selected Poems is due in 2008. He founded and co-edits Smiths Knoll magazine and he founded the international Aldeburgh Poetry Festival and directed it for its first 10 years. A highly experienced workshop leader, he is Chair of the judges for the £3,000 Jerwood Aldeburgh First Collection Prize.

Peter Sansom has published four collections, most recently The Last Place on Earth (Carcanet 2006), and the classic handbook, Writing Poems (Bloodaxe). He is a director of The Poetry Business and editor of The North magazine and Smith/Doorstop Books. He has taught at Huddersfield and Leeds universities and has held several high profile residencies including Marks & Spencer and the Prudential.