Competitions Shortlists are announced

This year’s Competitions attracted more entries than ever before with our poetry competitions alone bringing in more than 1000 poems between them.
We are delighted to announce our competition shortlists. To see who has been shortlisted under each category please select the appropriate competition from the drop down menu.
Poetry Reading and Prize Giving
This event will take place in Cedars Hall, starting at 2.00 pm when shortlisted poems in the Young Poets category will be read out, followed by the Young Poetry Prize Giving.
At 3.00 pm the Open Poetry shortlisted poems will be read, followed by the Prize Giving for Open Poetry, Short Story and Book for Children. The event is expected to finish by 5.00 pm.
2.00 pm Monday 18 October Free entry
The programme will be printed in a booklet containing all shortlisted poems (Open Poetry and Young Poets). This will cost £2 and will be available at the Prize Giving.
The four categories in our International Competitions were:
The Open Poetry Competition
Judged by Owen Sheers we also offer the Hilly Cansdale prize of £100 to the best local poet
The Short Story Competition
Judged by Sally Bayley and also with the Wyvern Short Story prize to the best local writer
Book for Children
Judged by Joanna Nadin with a special award for the best local writer
The Young Poets Competition
Judged by Phoebe Stuckes with a year’s subscription to the Poetry Society
If you are interested in this event:
You may also be interested in Owen Sheers at 6pm on Monday 18 October
Please click here to watch the 2020 event.
Competitions Archive
Winners of our previous Competitions