£5000 National Poetry Competition

The Poetry Society’s annual National Poetry Competition is for previously unpublished single poems. The competition is open to anyone aged 17 or over at the time of entering. International entries are welcome. There is no limit on the number of entries a single entrant can make.

All entries will be considered anonymously by the judges. Entries must not have been published, self-published, published on a website, broadcast or featured among the winners in another competition before March 31, 2017.

All poems must have a title and must not exceed 40 lines in length (excluding title). Maximum length is 40 lines per poem. Entries can be on any subject. Entries must be written in English. Poems must be the entrant’s original work. All entries are judged anonymously and the poet’s name must not appear on the poem itself.

Handwritten entries cannot be accepted. Postal entries should be typed and printed in black ink on A4 paper at a minimum type size of 12pt. Poems may span two pages but pages must not be double sided. Entries can be double or single spaced. Please do not staple pages.

Postal entries will only be accepted when accompanied by an entry form (forms may be photo-copied). One entry form may cover multiple entries. Entries will not be returned, so please keep a copy. If you would like confirmation that your postal entry has been received, please include a stamped addressed envelope/postcard with your entry.  Online entries made via the website will receive automatic confirmation at the time of submission. Under no circumstances can alterations be made to poems once entered.

Ten Prizes will be awarded as follows:
First Prize: £5000
Second Prize: £2000
Third Prize: £1000
Seven commendations: £200

Prizewinners will be notified by the end of February 2017 and invited to an awards event in spring 2017. All winners will be expected to provide a biography and photograph. All entrants who provide a valid email address will be notified about the outcome of their entry by the end of March 2017.

The copyright of each poem remains with the author. However, authors of the winning poems, by entering the competition, grant The Poetry Society the right in perpetuity to publish and/or broadcast their poem. Use of the poems elsewhere for one year from March 2017 is subject to permission from The Poetry Society.

Judges are Moniza Alvi, Gerry Cambridge and Jack Underwood.

National Poetry Competition Fee

The first poem submitted costs £6.50. Subsequent entries in the same submission cost £3.50 per poem. Poetry Society members (including those joining at time of submission) get a free second entry, with subsequent poems at £3.50.  Payments must be made in £ sterling. Entries accompanied by payment in a currency other than £ sterling will not be accepted. Cheques, credit/debit cards and postal orders are accepted. Cheques should be made payable to The Poetry Society. Please write your name and phone number on the back of cheques.

Deadline: Oct. 31, 2016.