The National Poetry Competition 2024
The 2024 National Poetry CompetitionAnnual poetry prize run by the UK-based Poetry Society established in 1978; accepts entries from all over the world; over 10,000 poems submitted each year is now open for entries and closes on 31st October. The competition, run by The Poetry SocietyLively and well-presented UK site supporting poetry with 4,000 members internationally and some thoughtful content. www.poetrysociety.org.uk, is one of the world's most prestigious prizes for a single unpublished poem.
Work from poets at every stage of their writing careers is welcome, and the judges read all entries via an anonymised judging process, only discovering the identity of the winner after making their final decision. The competition has recognised previously unpublished newcomers, established names, and emerging talents.
The National Poetry Competition offers to winners a first prize of £5,000, a second prize of £2,000, a third prize of £1,000 and commendations of £500 each. The top three winners are also published in The Poetry Society's journal The Poetry Review.
Entry criteria: The competition is open to all writers worldwide aged 18+. Poems must be no longer than 40 lines in length (excluding title), must be the entrant's own work and not have been previously published.
Entry fees: The first poem submitted £8, subsequent poems in the same submission cost £5 each. Poetry Society members (including those joining at time of submission) get one additional poem free.
Judges
This year's judges are Fellow of the Royal Society of LiteratureThis British site may seem rather formal (stated aim ‘to sustain and encourage all that is perceived as best whether traditional or experimental in English letters, and to strive for a Catholic appreciation of literature’), but has a lively series of lectures and discussions involving distinguished authors. Also administers literary prizes. http://www.rslit.org/index1.html Romalyn Ante, Associate Publisher at Carcanet Press John McAuliffe and Forward Prize for Best First Collection winner Stephen Sexton.
