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The Pamphlet Competition is now closed for entries online. We will still accept postal entries post-marked up to 31 January.

 

First Prize: Publication by Pighog Press and 40 copies of the pamphlet

4 Runners up: a free place on a Poetry School activity

Judges: Julia Bird and Brendan Cleary

Closing date for initial entries: 31 January 2013

After initial judging, shortlisted poets will be asked to submit complete pamphlet collections for final adjudication.

‘Cross-boundary, cross-cultural, interdisciplinary, on the  cultural periphery, pamphlets dig, probe, plough, turn up new  material, voice the voiceless.’ - John Davies, Director, Pighog Press  

The Poetry School is delighted to announce the launch of a brand new pamphlet competition, in association with Pighog Press. Both organisations believe that pamphlet publishing is vital to poetry and so we have come together to promote this new pamphlet competition to encourage poets to explore the potential of the genre and create innovative and exciting new work.

Entrance guidelines

The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over writing poetry in English anywhere in the world. Initially entrants are invited to submit ten poems (or ten sides of poetry on A4, not more than 30 lines per side) for consideration by the judges by 31 January 2013.

The judges will select a shortlist of up to twelve poets by 22 February 2013. Short-listed poets will be asked to submit complete pamphlet collections by 28 March 2013 for final judging. Shortlisted poets will also be invited to read at an event in Brighton in May 2013, when the winner will be announced. 

What the judges think...

'I want an intense hit from a poetry pamphlet: the jolt of the espresso, no room for the frothy bubbles of the cappuccino. Formal or free, traditional or adventurous – however it comes, what I'm looking for is poetry with a concentrated sense of daring and surprise.'  Julia Bird, Poetry School Programme & Marketing Officer and Magma poetry magazine editor 

'A pamphlet is the natural showcase for any new voice in poetry – and for the more experienced poet too. A pamphlet helps any poet and any reader explore the inter-relationship between individual poems and to determine whatever themes and preoccupations, in a chaotic world, need to be developed. A pamphlet should make the reader want more. I love them as objects too – the way they don't fit conveniently on bookshop shelves, how beautiful and original they can be.'  Brendan Cleary, Editor, The Echo Room


How to enter

You can enter online by following the instructions at the bottom of this page.

Alternatively you can enter by post by downloading the entry form  from the Poetry School and Pighog websites.

Please send your completed entry form, together with your poems and a cheque for the correct amount made payable to ‘The Poetry School’ to:

The Poetry School, 81 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6DX

Please only submit your poems once. If you have difficulty downloading the entry form or uploading your poems, please contact the Poetry School on +44 (0)207 582 1679.

Please make sure you submit your poems with the appropriate entry fee.

Please read the full rules carefully and make sure that your entry meets the requirements.

How to enter online

If you have:  

a) attended a Poetry School course or workshop since 1 January 2010 or you have attended or booked a course by the competition closing date (30 January 2013)

 or

b) have purchased a Pighog publication from the Pighog website since 1st January 2012

Click Here to Enter Online for £10

If you do not fall into category (a) or (b) above:

 Click Here to Enter Online for £15

Please note that you will be required to login or create an account on the Poetry School website before completing the entry form.