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Do Women write ‘Female’ poetry’?

The ‘Female Poem’ discussion at the 21st Aldeburgh Poetry Festival was so popular it sold out within days of the box office opening and had to be moved to a larger venue. Chaired by Jo Shapcott, President of The Poetry Society, with a panel of distinguished writers - Maureen Duffy, Annie Freud and Pascale Petit - the discussion captivated the audience. Over 200 people turned up at 9am on Sunday morning (!) to hear the writers cross the gender minefield and discuss questions such as ‘Is poetry informed by the body?’ ‘Are female poets outsiders’? And from the fabulous Maureen Duffy ‘Is being bizarre more important than being liked!?’

Jo Shapcott has blogged the event for Guardian Online, where it is causing a wide ranging, informed and engaging debate. Join the debate.

The Female Poem discussion was supported by the Poetry Society