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.
Now in its 38th year, the International Book and Pamphlet Competition is the most prestigious competition of its kind, and has launched the careers of many well established and successful poets, including Daljit Nagra, Michael Laskey, Kim Moore, Pascale Petit, and Catherine Smith. This year’s competition is judged by Jane Clarke. Two winners will be selected by the judge to be published by our award-winning imprint Smith|Doorstop Books. The two winners will also receive £500 each, publication in The North magazine, a reading at The Wordsworth Trust, and a place on a residential writing course. Two runners-up will receive publication in East of The North – The Poetry Business’s online poetry publication – plus an online reading and an honorarium of £100 each.
This year’s New Poets Prize is judged by Holly Hopkins. Two winners will receive editorial support and help in extending their entry to 20 or 24 pages for pamphlet publication by Smith | Doorstop and their work will in appear in a feature in The North magazine. Two runners-up will receive mentoring, including a place on a residential writing course, and their poems will appear in a feature in East of The North, the Poetry Business’s online poetry publication.
We are keen to see poetry from all backgrounds and at this difficult time know that entry fees may be a barrier. Therefore, we are allocating a number of free entries to this year’s New Poets Prize and the 2024 International Book & Pamphlet Competition.
More details and entry forms for both competitions are here.