EXPLORE THE BEST POETRY COMPETITIONS OF 2023

Calling all poets and wordsmiths of 2023! Are you ready to unleash your creativity and have your words echo in the hearts of many? Look no further! We’ve curated a comprehensive list of this year’s most exciting poetry competitions. From the charm of local contests to the prestige of international awards, our guide offers a diverse range of opportunities for poets of all styles and experiences. Whether you’re a budding poet or a seasoned versifier, these competitions provide the perfect stage to showcase your talent and gain recognition. Dive in to find the contest that resonates with your poetic spirit and prepare to make your mark in the world of poetry.

1. Cafe Writers Open Poetry Competition: Norwich’s Cafe Writers invites entries for their annual contest. Poems should be no more than 40 lines. Prizes up to £1,000. Entry: £4 per poem or £10 for three.
2. Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition: Hosted by Munster Literature Centre, this contest accepts poems up to 40 lines in English. Prizes include cash, festival feature, and publication. Entry: 7 euros each or 30 euros for five.
3. CMS Poetry Competition: The Cambrian Mountains Society seeks poems up to 40 lines themed around Uplands. Open internationally. Prizes in various categories. Entry fee varies; free for society members.
4. Prole Laureate Poetry Competition: Prole’s annual competition is open for poems of any length and style. Winners will be published in Prole and receive cash prizes. Entry fee: £3 for the first, £2 for subsequent entries.
5. Moth Poetry Prize: Hosted by The Moth magazine, this contest accepts poems of any length and subject. Prizes include 6,000 euros for the winner. Entry fee: 15 euros.
6. Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Poetry Competition: Part of the Snowdrop Festival, this competition’s theme is Nature Unbound. Open for poems up to 30 lines. Categories for different age groups. Entry fee varies.
7. Enfield Poets Poetry Competition: Submit poems up to 50 lines. Judged by David Constantine. Prizes up to £500. Entry fee: £4 each, £10 for three.
8. Cheshire Prize for Literature: Open for residents with ties to Cheshire, Wirral, Warrington, or Halton. Categories include poetry and short stories. Free entry.
9. Teignmouth Poetry Festival Competition: Open for poems up to 36 lines on any subject. Cash prizes for various categories. Entry fee: Online – £5.50/£3.50, Postal – £5/£3.
10. New Media Writing Prize: For digital writing combining words, images, and videos. Various categories and prizes. Free to enter.
11. Elmbridge Literary Competition: Themed “Fame,” this competition accepts short stories and poems with varying length limits. Prizes in cash and book tokens. Entry fee for adults; free for under 18s.
12. Plaza Poetry Prize: Submit poems up to 60 lines. Top ten shortlisted entries published in an anthology. Entry fee: £12 for the first, £6 for additional entries.
13. Wergle Flomp Humour Poetry Competition: For humorous poems up to 250 lines. Prizes up to $2,000. Free to enter.
14. Never Such Innocence Poetry Competition: Open to youth aged 9-18. Poems should be no more than 40 lines, exploring the impact of war. Free entry.
15. Frogmore Poetry Prize: Frogmore Press’s contest for poems up to 40 lines. Prizes in guineas and subscriptions to The Frogmore Papers. Entry fee: £4.