J. O. Morgan facts for kids

J. O. Morgan is a writer from Edinburgh, Scotland. He was born in 1978. He is known for his poetry and novels. His poems often tell long stories. One of his recent poetry books, The Martian's Regress, explores what happens when humans lose their kindness. He has also written two novels, Pupa and Appliance.

His Amazing Books

Exploring His Poetry Books

J. O. Morgan has written seven poetry books. Each book tells one long story, almost like a novel in verse. His first book, Natural Mechanical, won the Aldeburgh Poetry Prize in 2009. His fifth book, Interference Pattern, was a finalist for the T. S. Eliot Prize.

At Maldon: A Story from History

His third book, At Maldon (published in 2014), goes back in time. It tells the story of "The Battle of Maldon". This battle happened in 991 CE on the coast of Essex, England. J. O. Morgan has even recited the entire poem from memory many times! A recording of him reading it is kept at the Poetry Archive.

Assurances: A Look at the Cold War

Morgan's sixth book, Assurances (from 2018), is about the Royal Air Force (RAF). It explores their role in keeping nuclear weapons safe during the early Cold War period. His own father was in the RAF and worked with Britain's nuclear defense. This book was a finalist for the Forward Prize. It also won the Costa Poetry Award. The judges said it was "original, compelling, ambitious, highly accomplished and marvellously sustained."

The Martian's Regress: A Future World

His seventh poetry book, The Martian's Regress (2020), takes place far in the future. It makes you think about what humans might become if they "lose their humanity." The book also looks at how a fragile environment affects people who keep changing it.

Awards and Special Recognition

J. O. Morgan has received many awards and honors for his writing:

• 2022 – Appliance was a finalist for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction.
• 2020 – The Martian's Regress was a finalist for the T. S. Eliot Prize for Poetry.
• 2018 – Assurances won the Costa Poetry Award.
• 2018 – Assurances was a finalist for the Forward Poetry Prize for Best Collection.
• 2016 – Interference Pattern was a finalist for the T. S. Eliot Prize for Poetry.
• 2016 – Interference Pattern was a finalist for the Saltire Society Poetry Award.
• 2016 – Interference Pattern was recommended by the Poetry Book Society.
• 2014 – At Maldon was a finalist for the Saltire Society Poetry Award.
• 2012 – Long Cuts was a finalist for the Scottish Poetry Book Award.
• 2010 – Natural Mechanical was a finalist for the Scottish Poetry Book Award.
• 2009 – Natural Mechanical won the Aldeburgh Poetry Prize.
• 2009 – Natural Mechanical was a finalist for the Forward Poetry Prize for First Collection.
• 2009 – Natural Mechanical was recommended by the Poetry Book Society.