Poetry Life on the line

You don’t have to be Tennyson

Just talented

• All we ask is that you please keep poems to 42 lines, max. You can, of course, write less. In addition to the prize money, our top three winning poems are automatically entered into the Forward Prize For Poetry’s competition, with the chance to win a further £1000.
• When it comes to the Bridport Prize competition, you can write about absolutely anything but whatever your rhyme or reason, we want to read your poetry.

First prize: £5,000

• One of the largest poetry prizes, the winning poem also features in our anthology, a chance to see your words on the printed page. That’s not all. It opens up further opportunities where your work needs to have been published. You will also be invited to take part in our awards celebration, receive feedback from the judges and our professional partners. Finally, we will champion you not only as one of our winners but as our alumni, part of the Bridport Prize family.

Second prize: £1,000

• Your poem features in the Bridport Prize anthology, so you will see your words on the page forever more. It also means you are published and can pursue other opportunities. We hope you’ll join us for the awards celebration and enjoy the recognition of your success. It is a big deal.

Third prize: £500

• Your poem is included in our anthology where you’ll see your words finally within the pages of a book. Being published now gives you access to other opportunities. There’s the chance to join our awards celebration and appreciate the fact your hard work has been recognised.

Eligibility:

• The poetry prize is open to writers of any nationality writing in English aged 16 and over at the time of the closing date.
• Entries must be entirely your own work. Any evidence to the contrary will result in immediate disqualification.
• Entries must not have been published, self-published, published on any website, blog or online forum, broadcast, have won or been placed (2nd, 3rd, runner up etc) in any other competition.
• If your entry has been long-listed or shortlisted in other competitions, and provided it has not won a prize or been published, it is eligible.

Rules of Entry:

• Please ensure you read the rules carefully before entering the competition.
• Entry implies acceptance of all the rules and failure to comply may result in disqualification.

IMPORTANT:

• All entries are judged anonymously. Please do not include your name, address, phone number, email, website, twitter handle etc on the document or in the file name or your entry will be disqualified.

Disqualification:

• We disqualify entries if they are named or over the line limit. If you forget to add details – title or line count – your entry will NOT be disqualified.

General:

• Entries can be on any subject in any style or form. We do not recommend poems written for children. You can enter any number of poems but please check you are submitting the correct version of your work before uploading as mistakes cannot be rectified later. If you find you have submitted the wrong version or have made a mistake in the work, you can withdraw it and resubmit a corrected version before the deadline. Please note a further fee would be payable. Entries can be withdrawn by logging into your account. To see how to withdraw, please click here. Entry fees will not be refunded.

Deadline:

• The deadline date for completed entries is 23:59 (UK time) on 31st May 2024. Please note the online entry system closes at midnight, so don’t leave it to the last minute to submit! Postal entries postmarked 31st May but received later will be accepted.

Length:

• Poetry: 42 lines max. No minimum. Title not included in the line count. Dedications not included in the line count. Lines between text / stanzas are not counted.

Format:

• Add the line count to the top right of the first page. The title is not included in the line count, nor are dedications, nor are spaces between stanzas
• Entries must be typed. We do not accept handwritten submissions
• Do not add cover or title pages
• Do not send illustrated work
• Use any font in 12pt
• Single line spaced, except between stanzas where it should be double
• If the poem runs to two pages, number both pages centre bottom
• Save the file as a Microsoft Word document – .doc or .docx. We also accept file types .rtf, .pdf, .txt. Maximum allowed file size is 2Mb
• The file name should be the title of the poem only, typed exactly the same as on the document, for example: I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
• Do not include your name in the file title or it will be disqualified
• Do not put Bridport entry / Bridport poem entry etc in the file title
• For untitled pieces, save the document with the first line of the poem instead

Fees:

• £12 per poem. There is no limit to the number of submissions.

Judging:

• The judges’ decision is final and no individual correspondence can be entered into. Judges are unable to comment on individual entries. Judging is fair and unbiased. The Bridport Prize reserves the right to change the panel of judges without notice.

Copyright:

• Worldwide copyright of each entry remains with the author but the Bridport Prize has unrestricted rights to publish the winning and highly commended poems, short stories and flash fiction stories in the 2024 anthology and any relevant promotional material.

Results & Awards:

• Winners and highly commended poets will be notified by email in September. A prize-giving event will be held for these writers at Bridport Arts Centre on Saturday 19th October 2024.

Receipts:

• Postal entries: enclose a stamped, self addressed postcard marked ACKNOWLEDGEMENT if you require receipt of entry. Online entries are confirmed by email to your Submittable account on receipt of payment. Please check your spam folder as emails can land there. It is NOT possible to confirm receipt of entries by phone or email.
• Simultaneous submissions are allowed but will become ineligible should they win a prize elsewhere, be published or scheduled for future publication prior to the date of prize giving. Entry fees will not be refunded.
• You must inform us immediately should your entry be published or win a prize elsewhere.
• Entries submitted posthumously are not eligible.