National Poetry Competition
AwardAbout
The National Poetry Competition is a highly regarded award for unpublished poetry, administered by The Poetry Society. Established in 1978, it is one of the longest-running and most prestigious poetry competitions globally. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over, welcoming international entries. Each year, it attracts thousands of submissions from around the world, offering a platform for both emerging and established poets. The competition features a panel of distinguished judges who assess entries anonymously. Poems must be original, unpublished, and written in English, with no AI-generated content allowed. Winners receive significant prizes, with the first prize being £5,000. The competition's winners are announced annually, and their work is published in The Poetry Review. It has been instrumental in launching the careers of notable poets, including Carol Ann Duffy and Tony Harrison.
