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 Prize is open to writers of any nationality writing in English aged 16 and over at the time of the closing date (the novel award has different criteria. See the novel page for details).

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.

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.