River Wolton’s second collection harnesses the momentum and the paradox of ‘indoor skydiving’ to ask searching questions about identity, mortality and exile. It addresses a wide range of subjects – from human trafficking to celebrity in the digital age – with humour, vitality and practical compassion.
“She explores a palpable contemporary world, tilting it to view its planes and angles. She is alert to the experience of exile and displacement; ... her writing is rhythmic, confident, the details telling. River Wolton is a poet to watch.” – Moniza Alvi
River Wolton grew up in London and lived in Sheffield for 20 years before moving to Derbyshire. Her previous Smith Doorstop publications are the pamphlet The Purpose of Your Visit (2008; ISBN 9781906613051), followed by the full collection Leap (ISBN 9781906613235). She is a recent Derbyshire Poet Laureate and works as a writing facilitator. A recipient of a Hawthornden Fellowship, she is currently a Writer-in-Residence with Writing East Midlands.