Ffeil / File AAA/4 - Preparations (Gomer Press, 1980)

Material relating to the production of Tony Curtis's Preparations: Poems 1974-79 (initially called 'Signals at Sea'), published by Gomer Press in 1980 (see, for example: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Preparations-Poems-1974-79-Tony-Curtis/dp/0850885620), comprising: draft selection of poems for potential inclusion in the collection, the poems bearing manuscript amendments by Tony Curtis and critical observations by poet and novelist Ciarón Carson; draft title, acknowledgements and contents pages of the collection; letter,16 February 1976, from Christopher Talfan Davies of Christopher Davies publishers; and letters to Tony Curtis from poet, critic, teacher and broadcaster Jeremy Hooker, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Bloodaxe Books, offering critical observations on the draft collection. Note on one of the draft title pages in Tony Curtis's hand reads 'rejected by Arts Council readers and later re-worked & published by Gomer [Press] as Preparations'.

For the poet Denise Levertov, referenced at the bottom of the poem titled 'Third Didactic Poem', and for the poem titled 'At Abercanaid with Denise Levertov and Michael Harper', see under heading USA: festivals, inspirations and collaborations and under heading Individual poems (loose papers).

See also April 2016 papers under heading Goddard College.

WARNING: POEM TITLED 'AFTER THE CRASH' CONTAINS REFERENCES TO CANNIBALISM; FACTUAL ACCOUNT (see under heading Individual poems (loose papers) Cautionary 'post-it' note attached to poem.

WARNING: THE POEM 'POEM FROM MY FATHER' CONTAINS DETAILED REFERENCES TO A WOMAN'S BODY WASHED UP ON A BEACH; FACTUAL ACCOUNT (see under heading Individual poems (loose papers) Cautionary 'post-it' note attached to poem.