The Elmbridge Literary Competition offers free entry to young writers aged 5-17. This year’s theme is “Enigma”. Send one poem and/or one story. Deadline: 28 February 2022. Full details here.
young poets
Young Writers’ Competition
9-18-year-olds are invited to submit to the 2021/2022 Never Such Innocence competition, which has the theme ‘Life After Conflict’. Closing date: 18 March 2022. There are four categories – Art, Poetry, Speech and Song – and you may enter once in each category. Full info here.
Young People’s free comp
The East Riding Festival of Words poetry competition is free to enter for young people age 4-16. The theme is: My Reasons to be Cheerful. Deadline is 11.59pm UK time on Saturday 27 November 2021. Full info here.
Nature writing wanted
The Curlew describes itself as a: ‘high-quality periodical dedicated to fine writing about the natural world’. The journal is published on a quarterly basis: the next deadline is the end of February 2017. There is no payment, but the editors state that proceeds will go to support conservation projects. Submissions information here. There is even a section for work by under-16-year-olds: http://www.the-curlew.com/sanderlings
Young Writers Wanted
If you are under 25, you might consider submitting your poems to Phosphene. This international, not-for-profit journal was launched in 2016. It invites submissions of up to four poems in separate documents. Sadly, there is no payment if your work is accepted – though you will receive a free PDF download of the relevant issue. Make sure you read the submissions guidelines thoroughly before submitting. More info here.
Young Poets Network Resource Site
Supported by Arts Council England and the Poetry Society, among others, this is a great place to visit if you’re a young poet: http://www.youngpoetsnetwork.org.uk/
Visit the site for advice on submitting your work, for explanations about terminology, for listings of poetry-related opportunities, and even for the chance to have your poem/s published on the site.
Young Romantics (ages 16 to 18) Wanted for Poetry Competition
Keats-Shelley Memorial Association is hosting a free competition for writers aged 16 or over on 1st January 2015 and no more than 18 on 13th March 2015. Submit up to 2 poems of no more than 20 lines each, on the theme of ‘Lost Angels’. Closing date: 13th March 2015.The Judges are Matthew Sweeney and Kate Clanchy with Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy making the final selection. Prizes are a place on an Arvon creative writing course and £100 in book tokens. There is also a short story category. More information: http://www.keats-shelley.co.uk/young-romantics-prize
The Christopher Tower Poetry Competition 2015 for 16-18-year-olds| Closing Date: 27-Feb-15
Again, from the Poetry Library competition listings. Looks like a UK-only comp:
Details:
Competition for 16-18 years of age. Theme: ‘Cells’. Prizes: The first prize is £3,000, with £1,000 and £500 going to the second and third prize- winners. In addition to individual prizes, the students’ schools and colleges also receive cash prizes of £150 and the three prizewinners are eligible for a place on the Tower Poetry Summer School.. Longlisted entrants’ poems are published on the Tower Poetry website. Judges: Ian McMillan, Helen Mort and Peter McDonald. The winners will be announced on Monday 20 April 2015.
Entry Fee: £0Contact: www.towerpoetry.org.uk/prize or email info@towerpoetry.org.uk or call 01865 286591.
Competition for 16-18 years of age. Theme: ‘Cells’. Prizes: The first prize is £3,000, with £1,000 and £500 going to the second and third prize- winners. In addition to individual prizes, the students’ schools and colleges also receive cash prizes of £150 and the three prizewinners are eligible for a place on the Tower Poetry Summer School.. Longlisted entrants’ poems are published on the Tower Poetry website. Judges: Ian McMillan, Helen Mort and Peter McDonald. The winners will be announced on Monday 20 April 2015.
Entry Fee: £0Contact: www.towerpoetry.org.uk/prize or email info@towerpoetry.org.uk or call 01865 286591.
SLAMbassadors UK 2014 ( For entrants Aged 12-18) | Closing Date: 10-Oct-14
Another last-minute one – apologies again. Poetry Society’s national youth slam championships. Theme: Identity. Judges: A panel of artists including Kate Tempest. The 6 final winners will be invited to London to attend a master class led by poet Joelle Taylor, before performing a debut professional set at the Royal Festival Hall on October 31st. Open to all 12-18 year olds resident in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Entry Fee: £0
Contact: For more information see website:http://slam.poetrysociety.org.uk
Contact: jtaylor@poetrysociety.org.uk
The Poet's Resource 