At the Saltire Literary Awards, 30 November 2018 (pic: E. Rowan)
It was a huge honour – and very exciting – when Wristwatch was shortlisted for the Saltire Society Scottish Poetry Book of the Year in October. Given the strength of the other poetry collections from Scotland and Scottish writers this year, I was thrilled and surprised to learn the outcome at the awards ceremony on 30 November. It was a face-clutching moment to hear Wristwatch named Scottish Poetry Book of the year.
The judging panel said: “The unexpected vicissitudes of human life are grafted into the natural world – animate and inanimate – creating a deeply personal and moving collection. The poems are alert and humane, even humorous when least expected. For a first collection this is very assured, mature and coherent piece of work.”
I’m very grateful to the Saltire Society, to the panel of judges, to Cinnamon Press for taking a chance on an unknown, and to everyone on the Scottish scene (and beyond) who has supported me along the way.
Jay Whittaker, Edinburgh-based poet 
Congratulations, an amazing achievement but well deserved. Well done! Chris X
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