Mike Barlow won the National Poetry Competition in 2006. Prior to that he won the Amnesty International Competition and the Ledbury Competition. He has also been a winner in many other competitions, including third prize in the 2011 Strokestown International, and was a finalist for the 2008 Manchester Prize.

His first book Living on the Difference (Smith/Soorstop 2004) was shortlisted for the Jerwood Aldeburgh Prize. Another Place followed and a pamphlet Amicable Numbers (Templar 2008) was a Poetry Book Society Pamphlet Choice.

His new collection Charmed Lives will be published by Smith/Doorstop in 2012.