We run the international poetry competition annually to motivate experienced and amateur writers to participate in writing poetry. 

First Prize: £150, Second Prize: £75, Third Prize: £25
(In addition: £25 Humour Prize) 

Chief Judge: CAROLE BALDOCK 

Carole Baldock is proud owner of 3 children (all in good working order); 2 cats (need slight attention); a BA Hons; a pamphlet, BITCHING, and a collection, Give Me Where to Stand (Headland). Books also include Writing Reviews and How To Raise Confident Children. She has contributed theatre reviews to The Stage, Whatsonstage etc, and is Editor of Orbis, a renowned international literary journal of over 40 years’ standing, which now incorporates her other magazine: Kudos (‘for people who prize writing’)

RULES: Please read carefully

Poems should bear no identification of the poet.  Humour entries should be marked with an ‘H’. Humour entrants are not disqualified from winning main prizes. 

Please enclose a separate A4 sheet of paper with your full contact details and list of titles submitted.

All entries must be typed on A4 paper, in English (dialects allowable), and must be the original, unpublished work of the entrant.

For internet entries, please include PayPal ref. number in body of email OR put the story(ies) names in the comments box when paying. Also please use basic formatting in any of .doc, .docx, rich text or .odf file types when attaching your file to the email. Any .pdfs, sidebars, headers, footers or unusual layouts may result in your electronic entry being rejected.

Each entry should be accompanied by the appropriate fee of £3 per poem or four poems for £10. Cheques/Postal orders should be in sterling and payable to: SOUTHPORT WRITERS’ CIRCLE.

A maximum of 40 lines per poem is allowed.

The closing date for entries will be 30th April 2017. Winners will be informed in June, general availability of results thereafter.

Please keep a copy of your poem(s) as manuscripts cannot be returned.

The adjudicator’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding receipt of individual entries or payments. Entrants who enclose an S.A.E will receive a copy of the adjudicator’s report (if available). No application form is required.

Envelopes should be sent to:-

Southport Writers’ Circle Poetry Competition

3 Hereford Road
Southport,
Merseyside,
PR9 7DX 

Please DO NOT send entries by recorded delivery or send any other conformational material such as return postcards. 

Online entries please follow the link on the website.

For more information and to get involved