Send in up to 6 poems of 40 lines maximum per poem on the theme of MUSIC. There are Adult and Young Poet prizes, plus Waltham Forest local prizes. This year's judge is Suzanna Fitzpatrick. Open to writers worldwide.
We’re offering a total of over a thousand pounds in prizes. There are Adult and Young Poet prizes, plus separate Waltham Forest local prizes for people who live, work or study in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Additionally, poems will be considered for the Funniest Poem prize if you type FUNNY on the page of each poem that you wish to be considered for the prize (note that funny poems should also be on the theme and they also qualify for the main prizes as well as the funniest poem prize).
The top three poems in each category, plus the funniest poem, plus a number of Commended poets, will be published on our website.
Entry fee for adults is from £3 and it’s FREE entry for young poets under the age of 18.
For the first time in the history of our competition we’re allowing poems that have been previously posted on social media pages as long as they haven’t been formally published elsewhere.
Find out more
here
Deadline: Monday 19 October 2026, midnight UK time