Introduction

Forging Connections

“…The anthology form usefully provides 'a window for new writers'to borrow a phrase from Kadija Sesay's introduction to Burning Words, Flaming Images (1996). 56 Note, though, that the meaning of the term 'new' has been curiously fluid; Evaristo frames Ten as a collection that 'showcases [the writers'] promise and talent', despite the fact that these eponymous 'new poets' had all been published previously in magazines or pamphlets. 57 Anthologies published in the 1980s frequently included work by people who had no previous publishing record.…”