Nantwich-born poet, Helen Kay, is enjoying national recognition after her debut poetry collection was shortlisted for a prestigious award.

When Helen won The Dithering Chaps Pamphlet Competition, part of the 2024 Bournemouth Writing Festival, she never imagined just how far it would take her.

Originally set to publish a small pamphlet as part of the prize, Helen's submitted poems impressed the editors so much the project expanded into a full debut collection.

Her book, It Was Never About the Kingfisher, was released in January 2025 and launched at Nantwich Museum (formerly the town library), a place Helen remembers fondly from childhood.

Helen Kay with joint-owner of Nantwich Bookshop, Steve Lawson, on High Street (Supplied).

Lead editor at Dithering Chaps, David Herring, was so taken with the collection that he nominated it for both the Forward Prize and the Rubery Award for independently published books.

The Rubery panel has since shortlisted the collection, with judges praising its "wry sense of humour that makes the common peculiar and fresh. Very impressive writing."

While the book explores deeply personal themes, including the loss of Helen's brother Joe in 2023, it also carries a hopeful message, ending on a note of wonder that "new things still happen."

Poet, Mark Pajak, described the poems as "small swift moments of iridescence," much like the kingfisher that inspired the title.

As of July, It Was Never About the Kingfisher is available at Nantwich Bookshop on High Street.

Helen said: "We are so lucky to have an independent bookshop in our town supporting local authors.

"They have always been welcoming to poets, hosting launches and monthly Speakeasy sessions for writers to share and connect."

A member of Poetry Whitchurch, Helen remains active in the local literary scene, running the Nantwich Poetry Page Facebook page where she helps promote fellow poets and keep the local poetry community thriving.

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