Paul Batchelor was born in Northumberland. His pamphlet, To Photograph a Snow Crystal, was published by Smith/Doorstop in 2006, and his first full-length collection of poems, The Sinking Road, was published by Bloodaxe in 2008. His work has appeared in anthologies such as Identity Parade (Bloodaxe, 2010), The Penguin Book of Irish Poetry (Penguin, 2010) When Love Speaks (Vintage, 2011) and Being Human (Bloodaxe, 2011).

At Newcastle University, Paul wrote a PhD on the poetry of Barry MacSweeney. He is a freelance writer and teacher, and regularly reviews for the Guardian, The Times and the Times Literary Supplement. He is currently one of the Poetry Book Society pamphlet selectors.

Awards and Prizes

2009  The Times Stephen Spender Prize for Translation

2009  Edwin Morgan International Poetry Competition

2009  Writer of the Year (Journal Culture Awards)

2008  Jerwood-Aldeburgh Best First Collection Prize (shortlist)

2008  Glen Dimplex Best First Collection Prize (shortlist)

2005  Poetry Business Prize

2004  Andrew Waterhouse Award (from New Writing North)

2003  Eric Gregory Award (from the Society of Authors)