2nd November, 2023

Our 2024 competitions are open!

We are now accepting entries for our two poetry competitions: the International Book and Pamphlet Competition, open to all poets at any stage in their career, and the New Poets Prize, open to poets aged 17-24 who have yet to publish a book-length collection. Both competitions offer the chance to be published by us.

Welcome to The Poetry Business

We publish books, pamphlets, audio and eBooks under the smith|doorstop imprint; edit a literary magazine, The North; and run Writing Days, masterclasses, residential courses, and a Writing School for published poets. We also run the annual Book & Pamphlet Competition. 

Our poets have won or been shortlisted for almost every major poetry prize, including the Forward Prize on 11 occasions and 10 Poetry Book Society awards, and smith|doorstop Books was awarded Michael Marks Publishers Award in both 2012 and 2017. 

the Bookshop

New releases

Coming Soon

The Poet's Room

Our Featured Poet is Kayleigh Jayshree

Competitions

Find out more about our International Book & Pamphlet Competition and the New Poets Prize.

Find Out More

PB Online

A new Digital Poet-in-Residence will occupy the Poets Room each month, posting exciting and inspiring material including blog posts, audio downloads, interviews with poets, suggested reading and downloadable writing prompts. Brand new material will be uploaded regularly to help you to keep active and engaged with your writing.

Find Out More

Digital Workshops

Our programme of virtual poetry workshops are a digital alternative to our popular Writing Days, and feature brilliant writing exercises, supportive feedback, and excellent company.

Find Out More