Poetry competitions
Created | Updated Jun 2, 2009
This list has been compiled from information provided by the organizers of the competitions. The Poetry Library accepts no liability in connection with the information contained in the list. The list is intended as a guide to current competitions only. Competitors must write independently to each competition, enclosing a s.a.e. for an entry form before submitting work. Each competition charges an entry fee. Unless otherwise stated assume that all poems should be in English, original, and not previously published. Competitions for children and young people are marked **.
Note: this list is updated monthly
ARAMBY PUBLICATIONS POETRY COMPETITION
For collections of up to 30 poems. Poems should not exceed 40 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £3.50 per manuscript
CONTACT: 1 Alanbrooke, Broadway, Knaphill, Surrey GU21 2RU
CLOSING DATE: 31st March 2003
AWARD (formerly The Haiku Award)
Bi-annual competition for free form and conventional haiku (5-7-5) and tanka (5-7-5-7-7) For more information and entry forms visit www.into.demon.co.uk
ENTRY FEE: £2 per haiku or tanka or £10 for a set of 6
CONTACT: still, 1 Lambolle Place, Belsize Park, London NW3 4PD
CLOSING DATE: 15th February and 15th August
BARRHEAD POETRY COMPETITION **
For poems in English and Scots. Details at www.gilgamesh.fsworld.co.uk
ENTRY FEE: £1 for up to 3 poems, then £1 each additional poem. Entries from under 16s, schools, hospitals, churches, charitable organisations and those registered blind or deaf are free
CONTACT: 18 Craighead Way, Barrhead, Glasgow G78 2RS
CLOSING DATE: 30th March 2003
BRIDPORT PRIZE 2003
For poems not exceeding 42 lines. Details at www.bridportprize.org.uk
ENTRY FEE: £6 per poem
CONTACT: Bridport Arts Centre, South St, Bridport, Dorset DT6 3NR CLOSING DATE: 30th June 2003
CHRISTOPHER TOWER POETRY PRIZES**
Open the 16-18 year olds in UK schools or colleges. Poems must not exceed 48 lines and must be on the theme of 'The Passport'. Entrants may only submit one poem, with the entry form countersigned by their teacher. Details at www.towerpoetry.org.uk
ENTRY FEE: Free
CONTACT: Christopher Tower Prizes, Christ Church, Oxford OX1 1DP CLOSING DATE: 28th February 2003
DAVIDIAN ANNUAL COMPETITION
Competition for best version of a new poetic form 'The Davidian'. Send SAE for competition details and details on the new form.
Information at www.webbw.freeserve.co.uk
CONTACT: WWB, 9 Walnut Close, Taversham, Norwish NR8 6YN
CLOSING DATE: 7th December 2003
DRAGONHEART PRESS POETRY COMPETITION
Internet competition for poems not exceeding 60 lines- www.welcome.to/livingpoets
CONTACT: 11 Menin Rd, Allestree, Derby DE22 2NL
ENVOI INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION
For poems up to 40 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £3.00 per poem or 5 for £12.00
CONTACT: 17 Millcroft, Bishops Stortford, Herts, CM23 2BP
CLOSING DATE: Ongoing competition
EVERYMAN PRESS OPEN POETRY COMPETITION
For poems not exceeding 40 lines
ENTRY FEE: £3.00 for the first poem then £1 each additional poem. CONTACT: Linden Cottage, 45 Burton Rd, Little Neston, Cheshire CH64 4AE CLOSING DATE: 10th July 2003
FROGMORE PRIZE
For poems not exceeding 40 lines. Details at www.frogmorepress.co.uk
ENTRY FEE: £2 per poem
CONTACT: 42 Morehall Ave, Folkstone, Kent CT19 4EF
CLOSING DATE: 30th June 2003
KEATS SHELLEY PRIZE
For poems not exceeding 50 lines on a Romantic theme associated with Exile.
ENTRY FEE: £5 for the first entry then £3 each additional entry.
CONTACT: Jill Gamble, KSMA Competition Secretary, School of English, The University, St Andrews, KY16 9AL Scotland
CLOSING DATE: 31st March 2003
KICK START POETS OPEN POETRY COMPETITION
For poems not exceeding 60 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £4 for up to 2 poems, £10 for 3 poems, and £3 each for 4 or more poems
CONTACT: Kick start poets, Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury SP1 3UT CLOSING DATE: 14th March 2003
LEDBURY POETRY FESTIVAL COMPETITION**
For poems not exceeding 40 lines. Details at www.poetry-festival.com
In three sections; adults, 11-17 year olds and 10 and under.
ENTRY FEE: Adults £3 for the first poem then £2 each additional poem, other categories First poem free then £1.50 each additional entry.
CONTACT: Ledbury Poetry Festival, Church St, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1DH
CLOSING DATE: 15th August 2003
LEVIATHAN POETRY COMPETITION
For poems not exceeding 40 lines, by poet over 16 years old.
ENTRY FEE: £2.50 for the first poem or three poems for £5
CONTACT: 4 High St, Bampton OX18 2JR
CLOSING DATE: 30th April 2003
MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS POETRY COMPETITION
Inter-faith poetry competition for poems not exceeding 40 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £3 for the first poem then £2 each additional poem.
CONTACT: The Cathedral, Manchester M3 1SX
CLOSING DATE: 30th June 2003
MANIFOLD YOUNG POETS PRIZE **
For science poems not exceeding 40 lines, by young people between 13-19 years old. Information at www.manifold.cjb.net
CONTACT: 99 Vera Avenue, Grange Park, London N21 1RP
CLOSING DATE: 31st March 2003 (extended)
NOBUYUKI YUASA INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH HAIBUN COMPETITION For haibun in English language only, of a length between 200-1,500 words, including (as a requirement) one or tow haiku.
ENTRY FEE: £10 made out to the British Haiku Society
CONTACT: Sinodun, Shalford, Braintree, Essex CM7 5HN
CLOSING DATE: 31st March 2003
NORTHAMPTON LITERATURE GROUP POETRY COMPETITION Competition in two categories free verse and verse using rhyme.
ENTRY FEE: £3 per poem
CONTACT: 23 Rowan Avenue, Northampton NN3 6JF
CLOSING DATE: 23rd May 2003
NORWICH WRITERS CIRCLE OPEN POETRY COMPETITION
For poems not exceeding 40 lines. Special Mary Ingate Prize for the best poem on a rural theme written by a resident of Norfolk.
ENTRY FEE: £2 per poem
CONTACT: 20 The Street, Porlingland, Norwich, Norfolk NR14 7JT
CLOSING DATE: 18th February 2003
ORCHARDS AND FRUIT POETRY COMPETITION
For poems up to 40 lines on the subject of orchards and fruits. Details at www.riversnurseryorchard.org.uk
ENTRY FEE: £3 for the first entry then £1 each subsequent poem
CONTACT: Robinson's Cottage, Tilegate Green, High Laver, Ongar, Essex CM5 OEA
CLOSING DATE: 30th May 2003
PARTNERS WRITING GROUP -VARIOUS COMPETITION
Partners Writing group are running various poetry competitions. For further details of specific competitions consult either their website www.homestead.com/partners_writing_group or their magazine The Word.
CONTACT: 289 Elmwood Ave, Feltham, Middlesex TW13 7QB
PEACE AND FREEDOM PRESS POETRY COMPETITIONS
This press has ongoing competitions on various themes. For further details contact them directly or visit their website at ://website.lineone.net/~peaceandfreedom/
CONTACT: 17 Farrow Rd, Whaplode, Spalding, Lincs. PE12 OTS.
PEER POETRY INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Ongoing competition with closing dates at the end of April and October. As the poems are printed in the layout you submit they have quite strict guidelines in terms of length, copy numbers, etc.
ENTRY FEE: £2.50 per entry to non-subscribers.
CONTACT: 26/ SD11, Arlington House, Bath St, Bath, Somerset BA1 1QN.
PETERLOO POETS OPEN POETRY COMPETITION**
For poems not exceeding 40 lines. Section for 15-19 year olds.
ENTRY FEE: Adults £5 per poem. 15-19 year olds £2 per poem
CONTACT: The Old Chapel, Sand Lane, Calstock, Cornwall PL18 9QX CLOSING DATE: 1st March 2003
POETRY LIFE OPEN POETRY COMPETITION
For poems not exceeding 80 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £4 per poem
CONTACT: 1 Blue Ball Corner, Water Lane, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 OER
CLOSING DATE: 29th March 2003
POETRY LONDON COMPETITION
For poems not exceeding 80 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £4.00 per poem, £3.00 per poem subscribers
CONTACT: P.O. Box 30104, London E17 4XR
CLOSING DATE: 14th February 2002
QUANTUM LEAP POETRY COMPETITIONS
Ongoing competition for poems not exceeding 36 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £3 per poem plus a stamped addressed envelope.
CONTACT: York House, 15 Argyle Terrace, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 OBD CLOSING DATE: 31st March and 30th September
REVIEWS COMPETITION
Acumen is running an ongoing reviewing competition, for reviews of poetry books published in the last year. Reviews should not exceed 750 words. Winning entries to be published in Acumen.
ENTRY FEE: None but S.A.E. needed for return of manuscript
CONTACT: 6 The Mount, Higher Furzeham, Brixham, Devon TQ5 8QY CLOSING DATE: ongoing
SASAKAWA PRIZE FOR ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FIELD OF HAIKU
For details send a stamped self addressed envelope marked Sasakawa Prize to The British Haiku Society, Lenacre Ford, Woolhope, Hereford HR1 4RF
SNAPSHOT PRESS HAIKU COMPETITIONS
Snapshot Press run various ongoing haiku and tanka competitions including a haiku calendar competition and an interactive screen saver competition. Full details at www.snapshotpress.co.uk
SOUTHPORT WRITERS CIRCLE INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION 2003
For poems not exceeding 40 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £2.00 per poem
CONTACT: 32 Dover Rd, Southport, Merseyside PR8 4TB
CLOSING DATE: 30th April 2003
THE STROKESTOWN INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION
For an unpublished poem of up to 70 lines. Details from www.strokestownpoetryprize.com
ENTRY FEE: £3
CONTACT: S.C.D.A., Bawn St., Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 19th February 2003
UNDERSTANDING POETRY COMPETITIONS
Understanding run various competitions some open and some for poems responding to or inspired by particular books. For specific details please contact them directly.
ENTRY FEE: Varies but usually around £1.00 per poem.
CONTACT: 20A Montgomery St, Edinburgh EH7 5JS.
VER POETS OPEN COMPETITION
For poems not exceeding 30 lines.
CONTACT: 61 Chiswell Green Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL2 3AL CLOSING DATE: 30th April 2003
VIEWPOINT MANUSCRIPT SERVICE
On going competition for poems up to 40 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £3.00 per entry, optional critique service at £1.00 per entry. CONTACT: P.O.Box 2613, Eastbourne, BN21 4NA.
CLOSING DATES: 31st May, July, September and December
WARE POETS OPEN POETRY COMPETITION
For poems not exceeding 50 lines.
ENTRY FEE: £3 for the first poem then £2 each additional poem
CONTACT: Clothall End House, California, Baldock SG7 6NU
CLOSING DATE: 30th April 2003
YORKSHIRE ROSE POETRY COMPETITION
Three new ongoing competitions for northern folk; Yorkshire Rose-for poems on the countryside, wildlife and fauna, Northern Lads &Lasses -for poems on people, places, town and country and Victoria's Vestibule for Victorian verse and poetic short stories.
ENTRY FEE: £2.00 for the first poem then £1.00 each additional poem CONTACT: 28 Hill Farm Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD10 8DB
CLOSING DATE: 1st January & 1st June
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