Séan Hewitt, Head judge of this year’s Charles Causley International Poetry Competition, is an award-winning Poet. Born in Warrington in 1990, he received his PHD from Liverpool University on the works of ‘J.M Synge’. Other works include his debut pamphlet, Lantern (2019) which was short listed for The Michael Marks award. His debut poetry collection, Tongues Of Fire (2021) Winner of the Laurel Prize and his latest memoir, All Down Darkness Wide (2022). 

Image: Stuart Simpson

Currently Séan teaches Modern British and Irish Literature at Trinity College in Dublin and is a book critic for The Irish Times. His work has also been acknowledged for The Eric Gregory Award (2019) The Resurgence Prize (2016) The Northern Writers Award (2016) and many more.

His use of language brings a lyrical poetry to the natural world in Lantern, and this progresses in his later works by experimenting with a range of themes from his own experiences and from the lives of others that have been interconnected throughout his own. His poetry collection Tongues of fire explores not only the natural world but also delves deep into the emotions of the human soul. 

The Poet’s recent prose memoir All Down Darkness Wide is a beautiful and moving recollection of his relationship with his Catholic upbringing, queer identity, his journey of love and loss and the suffering of mental health. This nonfiction piece of prose is a haunting portrayal of heartache and renewal, touching on the past that we carry around with us. 

Séan Hewitt’s work is both inspiring and classical. His words will have you engrossed by his sublime account of Northern landscapes and the search for solace and hope. His expertise and unique creativity is a thrilling addition to the Judging panel for this year’s competition. 

For all details on how to enter this year’s competition, see our dedicated website page.

Written by Caroline Hancock, a Causley Trust intern