National Poetry Competition UK

                            
The Poetry Society was founded in 1909 to promote “a more general recognition and appreciation of poetry”. Since then, it has grown into one of Britain’s most dynamic arts organisations, representing British poetry both nationally and internationally. Today it has more than 4000 members worldwide and publishes the leading poetry magazine, The Poetry Review.
With innovative education and commissioning programmes and a packed calendar of performances, readings and competitions, The Poetry Society champions poetry for all ages. As well as the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, The Poetry Society runs the National Poetry Competition, one of the world’s longest-running and most prestigious prizes for an individual poem, and the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry – the prize founded by Carol Ann Duffy from her honorarium as Poet Laureate.

“The Poetry Society is the heart and hands of poetry in the UK – a centre which pours out energy to all parts of the poetry-body, and a dexterous set of operations which arrange and organise poetry’s various manifestations. It has a long distinguished history, and has never been so vital, or so vitalizing as it is now.” Sir Andrew Motion

A charitable organisation, we provide support, information and merchandise for specialists and the general public. We engage with and support diverse poetry audiences.
Through events, publications, The Poetry Café, promotions and prizes we ensure the highest artistic quality; we create a central position for poetry in the arts and continue to build new avenues to promote poets and poetry in Britain today.
Our education work provides development opportunities for poets, teachers, pupils, and emerging writers, creating a central position for poetry in education through our advocacy and links with national arts and government initiatives.

How to enter

The National Poetry Competition is one of the world’s biggest single poem competitions. The entry fee is £6.50 for your first poem, and £3.50 per poem thereafter.Members of The Poetry Society get a free second entry. The closing date is 31 October 2016.

“I felt a bit like Charlie opening his Wonka bar when I received word that I’d placed in the National Poetry Competition. I have greater faith now in my writing instincts and stand a little taller when I tell someone I’m a poet. I would encourage anyone who feels called to this art form to celebrate it by entering the National Poetry Competition.” – Carolyn Oxley, National Poetry Competition 2015 Third Prize Winner

Entering online Visit npc.poetrysociety.org.uk to enter online. You can enter your poems into our online form and pay securely by credit/debit card.

Entering by post

1. Read the competition rules to make sure your poems are eligible. Please remember that poems must not exceed 40 lines in length. The title of your poem does not count toward the line limit.
2. Your poems can span up to two pages each but pages must not be double sided – please do not staple pages together!
3. Download your competition entry form through http://poetrysociety.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/NPC2016-EntryForm.pdfand post your complete form, poems and payment to:

 NPC 2016
The Poetry Society
22 Betterton Street
London
WC2H 9BX
UK