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Our current competition: New Writers 100-Word Writing Competition 2026 – Deadline: 30th Apr 2026. Prizes: 1st: £1,000; 4x Runners-up: £100.
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Stainsby Festival has announced its inaugural National Poetry Competition to be held at this year’s event. The festival has featured spoken word with previous performances by, Longfella (aka the Manchester poet Tony Walsh), the former Derbyshire Poet Laureate Mat Black, the Bard of Windmill Hill, the stand up poet Live Torc, as well as numerous aspiring local poets.
The new competition will be judged by legendary poet, Roger McGough. The voice of poetry on Radio 4’s Poetry Please for over 25 years, he’s known for his work nationally and internationally, as well as being a bit famous in Liverpool.
Shortlisted poets will be invited to read their work (or have it read) at this year’s festival in Roger’s presence. Three winning poems will be published online and (possibly) in this year’s festival programme. The overall winner will be invited to a paid residency at the 2027 festival, which is a fantastic opportunity for any aspiring poet.
The organisers are seeking accessible poems on any subject (no, it doesn’t have to be about festivals or music or gatherings) – so really, any subject you choose but to a maximum of 42 lines. Please see the competition website for the full details.
Details