Poems from the afterlife

New Milton poet Jacqueline Haskell’s prize-winning debut collection explores the world beyond

- Duncan Hall

Within the pages of Jacqueline Haskell’s debut poetry collection are pieces dealing with the big issues of life, death and the afterlife – drawing on Greek myth and early 20th century paranormal investigations.

And one of the themes running throughout Stroking Cerberus is that of communication – perhaps reflecting New Milton-based Jacqueline’s own experiences as a deaf writer.

Her debut poetry collection is part of a series by Brighton-based publishers Myriad to focus on under-represented writers, entitled Spotlight. Jacqueline entered a competition to be considered as part of the series. “Very importantly it was free to enter – competition entries can be expensive and entry fees soon mount up, which can exclude low income writers such as myself,” she says via email. “These initiatives (and the funding for them) are crucial to helping underrepresented writers to find their voice in publishing; that said, I don’t believe I should get a ‘free pass’ just because of my disabilities or my low income – the writing must be up there with the best!”

Myriad clearly aren’t the only publishers to have a high opinion of Jacqueline’s work. She has already won a Telegraph Short Fiction Award and been listed in top writing competitions including the Bridport Prize and Asham Award. Her debut novel The Auspice, was a finalist in the 2018 Bath Novel Award, and is now being sent out to agents after undergoing “some intense professional editing”.