QUEEN’S Gold Medal for Poetry winner Imtiaz Dharker will be the Poet in Residence at the 2018 Ilkley Literature Festival.

Imtiaz will be following in the footsteps of previous luminaries who have held the role, such as Daljit Nagra, Andrew Macmillan and Kim Moore.

As Poet in Residence, she’ll be putting her own mark on the festival programme with a curated strand of poetry events, as well as taking part in readings of her own work, and running workshops for new and emerging poets. Imtiaz will also be judging the annual Walter Swan Poetry Competition and acting as mentor to the Apprentice Poet in Residence, applications for which are now open.

Born in Pakistan and raised in Glasgow, Imtiaz has published six poetry books, the most recent being Over The Moon which was published in 2014, the year of her Queen’s Gold Medal win. She has also been the recipient of the Cholmondley Award and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Literature. Her work resonates strongly with young audiences thanks to its inclusion on GCSE and A Level syllabuses. To add to her impressive catalogue of talents, Imtiaz also works as a documentary film maker and as a visual artist.

Imtiaz Dharker said: "I can’t wait for my time as Poet in Residence in Ilkley. It’s a festival where there is always something fresh and stimulating going on, with a great mix of voices. This year I am looking forward to hearing new poets as well as old favourites, and if I am lucky I may even be let loose with a (long!) wish-list of events."

Rachel Feldberg, Festival Director said: "We are delighted that Imtiaz will be joining us as Poet in Residence this year. We know at first hand how inspiring and moving her readings are and we are really looking forward to having her in Ilkley and sharing her ideas in the 2018 Festival programme."

The Walter Swan Poetry Competition, judged by Imtiaz, is now open for entries from anyone aged 18 or over, writing on any subject. Poems must be no longer than 30 lines and the deadline for entries is 1 August 2018.

Niccola Swan from the Walter Swan Trust said: "The Walter Swan Trust is delighted to be sponsoring the Ilkley Literature Festival poetry competition for the third year. We are very much looking forward to working with the new poet in residence, Imtiaz Dharker. Walter (1954-2014) was a member of the Wharfedale Poets and would have been so proud to be associated with this competition. He would have loved meeting the winners and talking about their poems when they read them out at the Festival."

Applications are also now open for the role of Apprentice Poet in Residence. The Apprentice will work closely with Imtiaz as well as having the opportunity to programme their own Festival event. Previous Apprentices include Guardian First Book Award Winner Andrew McMillan and acclaimed playwright Zodwa Nyoni.

Details of how to enter the competition and apply to be Apprentice Poet in Residence can be found at www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk