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UK Poetry competitions to look out for in 2019

I cannot speak for everyone but I love participating in poetry-writing competitions because each time is a learning experience. They help me explore new writing ideas and formats and encourage me to keep writing. The times that I’ve won have given me a sense of validation. When I don’t make it on the winning list, it drives me to read more, write more and be a better poet with each passing day. With the year coming to an end, many of us are busy writing our 2019 resolutions. Consider adding one of these poetry competitions to the list.

teignmouth poetry competition 2019 competition

The Teignmouth Poetry Competition 2019 is open until midnight on January 31, 2019. This is an open-genre competition accepting poems under 35 lines. Judged by John Greening, The Teignmouth Poetry Competition winner gets a prize amount worth £500. Second and third position winners get £250 and £100, respectively.

The icing on the cake is that shortlisted poets are invited to read at the Teignmouth Poetry Festival on March 23, 2019, and winning poems are published on the website. For more details about how to enter, please visit the official website. The entry fee for online entries is £4.50 for the first poem, £3.50 for each additional poem

the kent and sussex poetry society open competition 2019

With the first prize at a whopping £1000, followed by a second prize at £300, third at £100 and four consolations at £50, this open competition is an exciting opportunity to earn money, name and fame. The deadline for the Kent and Sussex Poetry Society Open Competition is 31st January 2019. The Judge is poet Ruth O’Callaghan and she will read all the submissions.

If you are aged 16 and above, you can enter this competition either by post or by emailing submissions at kentandsussexpoetry@gmail.com. Remember, your poems should not exceed 40 lines.

The entry fee for online entries is £5 for one poem.

bridport poetry prize 2019

The Bridport Poetry Prize is a coveted competition worldwide. You can enter online or by post no later than midnight BST on May 31, 2019. While submitting for the Bridport prize, remember that you are not supposed to enter your name or a cover document. You are supposed to submit a single word file with your poem consisting of maximum 42 lines.

The winners and highly-commended winners will be contacted via email during the month of September. The 2019 prize-giving will be held on October 19, 2019 at Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport, Dorset, UK. The results will be posted on the Bridport Prize website on October 21, 2019.

The entry fee for online entries is £9.

In addition to these select few competitions, it is always great to keep an eye out for anthologies and journals to submit to. Afterall a byline with our piece on a respected platform is something we all crave as writers. However, it is important to remember that a healthy approach toward these competitions is the right way to go. As long as we continue reading and writing, all is well.