Shortlisted Poet in Focus: Paul Farley

Author photo © Urszula Soltys

Paul Farley, shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize 2025 with his collection When It Rained for a Million Years (Picador Poetry), is the featured poet in this week’s Eliot Prize newsletter.

The newsletter tells you about the wide range of content we have just published to help you get to know Paul and his work.

In the latest additions to the celebrated T. S. Eliot Prize video series, Paul talks about When It Rained for a Million Years and reads his poems ‘The Gorilla’, ‘A Rewilding’ and ‘Three Rings’. View these videos and more on the T. S. Eliot Prize YouTube channel.

Download the Reader’s Notes on When It Rained for a Million Years, which include a selection of poems from the collection, plus reviews, reading suggestions, and a writing prompt or two for those inspired to respond creatively. The aim of the Readers’ Notes is to inspire deeper readings of the book, individually or shared with friends, book groups or writing workshops.

We have also published a lively and informative review, commissioned from John Field, offering vivid insights into the work.

Look out for the latest additions to the Poetry School’s Writer’s Notes series, educational resources for poets looking to develop their practice and learn from the poets shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize. Vona Groarke and Natalie Shapero have written the first of this year’s articles; look out for more by this year’s shortlisted poets in the coming weeks and browse the series on the Poetry School website.

To be the first to read Eliot Prize news, simply sign up to weekly newsletter.

Related Works

Related Poets

Paul Farley was born in Liverpool and studied at the Chelsea School of Art. He has published six collections of poetry with Picador, including: The...

Related News Stories

The T. S. Eliot Prize is delighted to be part of the wonderful Push the Boat Out Festival, Edinburgh, 12–15 November 2026, supporting the reading by Karen Solie and Sarah Howe, followed by questions from and conversation with Theresa Muñoz. The event will be held in The Pleasance – Upper...
Keith Jarrett, shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize 2026 with his collection Hide Me Under the Blood and I Shall Be Satisfied (Bad Betty Press), is the featured poet in this week’s Eliot Prize newsletter. The newsletter tells you about the wide range of content we have created to...
Jorie Graham, shortlisted for the T. S. Eliot Prize 2026 with her collection Killing Spree (Carcanet Press), is the featured poet in this week’s Eliot Prize newsletter. The newsletter tells you about the wide range of content we have created to help you get to know Jorie and her work....
Book now to see Eliot winners Karen Solie and Don Paterson at Cheltenham Literature Festival Tickets are now on sale for an extra special T. S. Eliot Prize event at The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival (9–18 October). Karen Solie, winner of the 2025 Prize for Wellwater, will...