Sonya calling budding poets

Sonya McConaghy, who was one of the winners of a recent poetry competition, is now putting together a book of verse of her own.

Sonya won a poetry contest which was organised by photographer Mark Douglas in association with the ‘MAIL’. She’s now working with Mark to put together her own book.

The 32-year-old who lives in Mansfield said: “I plan to self-publish a collection of poems by Lurgan people from the Lurgan area. I aim to produce a book consisting of about forty poems and forty photography pages. These photographs will bear relation to each poem. The top five poems chosen will receive their own copy of the book.”

She added: “We are seeking poets of all ages and backgrounds for the book. It will be called ‘Lurgan, The People’s Portrait’.

“Your entries must be no more than 40 lines long, and all poems must bear significance to the town of Lurgan, whether it be about a street, a building, the shops and the park. Your poetry could be about Lurgan’s history, present or future. Be creative, let your imagination run wild.”

You can enter as many poems as you like, but they must be your own original work. The closing date is the end of April.

All entries should be sent via email to [email protected]

Include your name and phone number. If under 16 please provide a parent’s phone number.

Sonya said: “I’ve always been interested in writing. It’s only been the last couple of years I’ve thought more seriously about it. It’s going really well. My first children’s book is out this year. It goes to prove if you really work on something you can achieve what you set out to achieve.”

Sonya’s book is called ‘My dog Elly loved eating jelly’ and is illustrated by Jonathan Temples.