The symposium takes its title from a much-cited comment by contemporary American poet, Sharon Olds. The speakers at the symposium will consider this phrase in relation to Bishop’s poetry and to the critical reception of it since her death. Does Bishop’s poetry draw on the author’s personal experience and if so, to what ends? To what extent is a critic or poet’s own biography in play when they speak about Bishop’s writing?

In addition to academic papers, the symposium will feature an interview on Bishop and biography with editor and scholar, Professor Thomas Travisano, and a Q&A between Sally Bayley and contemporary poet and translator, Jamie McKendrick.

Confirmed speakers at the symposium include Professor Angus Cleghorn (Seneca College, Canada), Professor Bethany Hicok (Williams College, USA), Professor Jo Gill (Exeter), Dr Sarah Kennedy (Cambridge University), Dr Erica McAlpine (Oxford University) and Professor Peter Swaab (UCL).