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 USD 5000
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.
Rule 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 with the word FINAL included in the file name. 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 entries is 12 midnight (UK time) on 31st May 2022. 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, 12pt, black
- 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, flash fiction stories and extracts from the opening chapters of the long-listed novels in the annual winners’ anthologies and any relevant promotional material.
Results & Awards
Winners and highly commended poets will be notified by email in September. A short film which will include the announcement of this year’s winners will be broadcast on our You Tube channel on Thursday 28th October at 7pm. A link on the website homepage will click through directly to our You Tube channel. This will go live just before 7pm.The full results will be available on the website from 7.30pm that evening.
Receipts
Postal entries: enclose a stamped, self addressed postcard marked ACKNOWLEDGEMENT if you require receipt of entry. Online entries: confirmed by the email receipt of your payment to PayPal plus an email from Submittable / the Bridport Prize. Please check your spam folder as emails can land there. It is NOT possible to confirm receipt of entries by phone or email.
PLEASE DO
- Carefully read the rules, entry requirements and eligibility before submission
- Check you’re submitting the correct version of your piece
- Check spam as our emails might land there
- Get in touch with any questions well before the 31 May deadline. For enquiries please email kate@bridportprize.org.uk
PLEASE DON’T
- Worry if you omit the line count. You won’t be disqualified
- Be alarmed if your entry confirmation email isn’t immediate. Log in and check your order history. All submitted entries are listed in date order
- Get concerned if your postal entry fee hasn’t been taken. We open entries in batches and a delay is not unusual
