Shortlisted Poet in Focus: Peter Gizzi

I say ‘fierce elegy’ because for me the elegy is a fierce mode that can take a broken heart in a fierce world and transform it into a fierce heart in a broken world. – Peter Gizzi, T. S. Eliot Prize film interview

Peter Gizzi, shortlisted with his collection Fierce Elegy (Penguin Poetry, 2024), is the featured poet in this week’s Eliot Prize e-newsletter.

The newsletter tells you about the wide range of content we have just published to help you get to know Peter Gizzi and his collection. This includes specially produced videos of the poet reading from Fierce Elegy, and talking affectingly and in depth about the composition of his poems and the themes they investigate.

Download the Reader’s Notes on Fierce Elegy, 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 an insightful review, specially commissioned from John Field.

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

Related Works

#0d7490
WINNER
2024
Penguin Poetry

Related Poets

Peter Gizzi was born in Alma, Michigan. He is the author of eleven collections of poetry, including: Now It’s Dark (2020); Archeophonics (2016), a finalist...

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...