Roseanne Watt

Roseanne Watt
Born1991 (age 33–34)[1]
Shetland, Scotland
OccupationPoet, filmmaker, musician[2]
NationalityScottish
EducationUniversity of Stirling[3]
Notable worksModer Dy
Notable awardsThe Edwin Morgan Poetry Prize (2018)
The Somerset Maugham Award (2020)

Roseanne Watt (born 1991) is a Scottish poet, filmmaker, and musician. She writes in both English and Shetland dialect. Her first poetry collection Moder Dy won multiple awards, including the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award in 2018 and the Somerset Maugham Award in 2020.

Biography

Roseanne Watt was born and raised in the Shetland Isles in Scotland. She attended the University of Stirling, where she earned a master's degree in English and film studies and later a PhD in creative writing and film. During her PhD studies, she was supervised by poet Kathleen Jamie. Watt's first poetry collection, Moder Dy was published by Polygon Books in 2019. The book is written in a mix of English and Shetland dialect. "Moder Dy ('Mother Wave') refers to an undercurrent believed to run east from Foula, taking Shetland fishermen back home". Home is an important theme in the poetry collection.[3][4][5]

As a filmmaker, Watt creates film poems which explore the language, literary traditions and landscape of Shetland. She is currently the poetry editor for the online literary journal The Island Review. She also performs in the bands Lukkie Minnine and Wulver, where she plays fiddle, vocals and guitar.[6] She currently lives and works in Shetland.[5][7]

Awards and recognition

  • The Edwin Morgan Poetry Prize 2018, Moder Dy[8]
  • Saltire Literary Award, Poetry Book of the Year 2019, Moder Dy, shortlist[9]
  • The Highland Book prize 2019 Moder Dy, co-winner[10]
  • The Society of Authors Eric Gregory Award 2020, Moder Dy[11]
  • The Somerset Maugham Award 2020, Moder Dy[12]

References

  1. ^ "Roseanne Watt: On Moder Dy". The Skinny: Independent Cultural Journalism. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Roseanne Watt". Scottish Poetry Library. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Moder Dy-Roseanne Watt". Tamsin Writing. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  4. ^ Robinson, David. "The Scotsman Sessions #7: Roseanne Watt". The Scotsman. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b Thomason, Louise. "An Interview with Roseanne Watt". Shetland.org. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  6. ^ Watt, Roseanne. "About Roseanne Watt". Roseanne Watt.com. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  7. ^ Smith, Angela. "Roseanne Watt exhibits at the Booth in Scalloway!". Shetland Arts. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Poetry Awards 2018". Edwin Morgan Trust. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Saltire Society Literary Awards 2019 shortlists". Publishing Scotland.org. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  10. ^ "2019 Highland Book Prize awarded collectively to short-listed authors "as a celebration of life, literature and community."". Highland Book Prize. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  11. ^ "The Eric Gregory Awards". Society of Authors. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  12. ^ "The Somerset Maugham Awards: 2020 Winners". Society of Authors. Retrieved 5 May 2021.