Napier Marten has been named the winner of the 2025 Poetry Book Awards for his dazzling debut collection Taplash Meditations.
Competition judge John Evans said: “The publication of Taplash Meditations marks the arrival of an important new voice in contemporary British poetry.”
Evans praised the collection for its depth, sincerity, and lyrical power. He wrote: “Marten’s connection to the landscapes he inhabits is intense, visceral, and charged with feeling. These are not merely physical settings but landscapes of the soul—places that evoke a spiritual, even religious, response, as the writer and the land become one.”
The poems appear alongside striking illustrations by Johnny Bull, which Evans described as ‘magical, mystical, captivating, and enchanting.’
Evans added: “I love nature, and sometimes it loves me back. Napier Marten loves nature, and sometimes it loves him back. This book of poems and illustrations is that love made manifest, and shared with us.”
The Poetry Book Awards is an annual international competition that celebrates the best poetry books published each year. Anyone can enter—established writers, newcomers, those published by major or independent presses, and self-published authors. The emphasis is on talent and ability rather than status or reputation.
Competition organiser Dave Lewis said: “Each year the competition grows stronger and more diverse. We receive entries from across the world—some from prize-winning poets, others from first-time authors. That range and inclusivity make the Poetry Book Awards a unique and important platform for poetry today.”
About Napier Marten
Napier Marten is a poet and producer whose work reflects a lifelong fascination with nature, spirituality and transformation. Born and raised in the Cranborne Chase, he has travelled widely and spent extensive time in many countries, including the United States, Vietnam, Scotland, Australia and Mexico. His experiences of different cultures and landscapes have deeply influenced his writing. He has worked in television, theatre and film and has followed many and varied career paths. Taplash Meditations is his first poetry collection.
About the judge
John Evans is a Welsh author, poet, and environmental campaigner. He has written several acclaimed books and appeared widely on BBC and ITV. In 2004 he was voted number 27 in the 100 Welsh Heroes public poll, ahead of Roald Dahl, Hedd Wyn and Sir Anthony Hopkins. Evans is also known for his work to help stop the badger cull in Wales, working alongside Queen guitarist and activist Brian May.
More about John can be found at:
Poetry Book Awards – Judge Profile: www.poetrybookawards.co.uk/judge_johnevans
Wales Online Profile: www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/acclaimed-writer-john-evans-aims-11435058
BBC Coverage: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8503097.stm