A series highlighting the works commended annually for the prestigious Forward Prizes. It brings together the best poems published over a quarter century in twenty-five editions of the Forward books of poetry. It includes both familiar names - Simon Armitage, Jackie Kay, Derek Walcott - and fresh voices - Kate Tempest, Kei Miller and Emily Berry.

Poets have been fascinated and challenged by the sonnet ever since it was imported from Italy to England in the sixteenth century. This title presents both a sharing of personal favourites and a celebration of high moments in the sonnet's history.

Discusses the pleasure of reading, and why a novel succeeds or doesn't. The author delves into the character of the novelist, and reveals how novels have affected her own life. She describes the process of novel-writing, sharing the secrets of her own habits and theories of creativity. She also offers practical advice to aspiring writers.

When drugged-up Time Traveller and '80s musical burnout Rock Section and his fellow English hooligans get kidnapped during Italia '90, there are ruinous implications. But now Rock has returned to Sardinia one final time to settle some scores and uncover the truth.

Presents the history of Shakespeare, following him through a single year that changed not only his fortunes, but the course of literature. In this one year, we follow what he reads and writes, what he saw, and who he worked with as he creates four of his most famous plays - "Henry V", "Julius Caesar", "As You Like It", and "Hamlet".

Following the biographical style of 1599, this book traces Shakespeare's life and times from the autumn of 1605, when he took an old and anonymous Elizabethan play, The Chronicle History of King Leir, and transformed it into his most searing tragedy, King Lear.

The First World War holds a unique place in the nation's history; the poetry it produced, a unique place in the nation's hearts. This title can hold a special place in your affections, as it remembers and recalls through its commissioned work, renews and honours - the engagement between poetry and this terrible, unworldly of world conflicts.

The First World War holds a unique place in the nation's history; the poetry it produced, a unique place in the nation's hearts. To mark the centenary of the First World War in 2014, the author has engaged the most eminent poets to choose the writing from the Great War that touched them most profoundly. This book presents their choices.