Shameam Akhtar

I was absolutely stunned and delighted when I won the best poetry award last year especially as it was the first time I had had any success with my writing. I was thrilled to hear that I had been shortlisted again this year but travelled to the awards with no expectations but a plan to enjoy the evening whatever the outcome. I am overjoyed to have won again. Nothing beats the feeling you get on hearing your name announced as the winner! It’s a tremendous sense of achievement and it was a truly inspirational evening!