In the fourth episode of this podcast series, Professor Richard English speaks with Dr Gail McConnell about the new book The Sun is Open (Penned in the Margins, 2021) .

Themes discussed include:

• the focus of this volume of poetry
• the process of writing the book
• the relation of poetry to conflict and the legacies of conflict
• the influence and inspiration of Ciaran Carson.

Dr Gail McConnell is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Arts, English and Languages at Queen’s University Belfast and publishes literary criticism and poetry.

Writing interests include violence, creatureliness, queerness and the possibilities and politics of language and form. Dr McConnell is also the author of Northern Irish Poetry and Theology (Palgrave, 2014), and two pamphlets of poetry: Fothermather (Ink Sweat & Tears, 2019) and Fourteen (Green Bottle Press, 2018).

Podcast produced by Colm Heatley.

Listen to the full Spotify version of the podcast here.

Listen to the full Apple iTunes version of the podcast here.

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