How to enter

To enter please first read the competition rules. (Scroll down for more information)

To enter via email:

 

• Attach your poem/s to your submission email as a Word Document.

• In your submission email, please include: 

           a: your name, postcode and a contact number

           b: a list of the titles of the poems submitted
           c: where you heard about the competition

           d: the name on the Paypal account used/your PayPal transaction reference number

           e. if you are entering under, or contributing to, our Pay It Forward scheme

• Pay with the Paypal link below (there is a drop-down menu for multiple entries)

• Email your poems (as above) to entries@winchesterpoetryfestival.org​

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• Due to the high volume of entries, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of all entries.

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To enter by post:​

• Type each individual poem on a separate sheet of A4 paper. (Don’t write your name on these sheets.)

• Send 2 copies of each poem.

• On a separate sheet of A4 paper please provide:

           a: your name, address and a contact number

           b: your email address if you have one

           c: a list of the titles of the poems submitted
           d: where you heard about the competition

           e: if you are entering under, or contributing to, our Pay It Forward scheme.

• Click to Download our Coversheet if you'd prefer 

• Enclose a cheque payable to 'Winchester Poetry Festival'. (Note: ‘Festival’ , not ‘Prize.’)

• Send your poems (2 copies), entry Coversheet and cheque in an envelope clearly marked ‘Winchester Poetry Prize’ to: Winchester Poetry Festival c/o University Of Winchester, The Post Room, Sparkford Road, Winchester, SO22 4NR

• Please ensure you pay the correct postage. We will be unable to pay surcharges and your entries may be returned by Royal Mail.

• If you would like your entry acknowledged, please enclose a stamped SAE.

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RULES  ​

• Closing date: Fri 31 July 2026, 23:59 UK time. Entries received after this time will not be considered.

• Entry is open to anyone aged 16+

• You can enter via email or by post.

• Poems may be on any subject and in any form or style.

• Poems must be typed, must not be longer than 40 lines (excluding title), must be in English, and must be the entrant's own work. They may not be the translated work of another poet, or a collaborative work, or created using AI tools.

• Poems must not have been published or accepted for publication elsewhere (including online and social media).

• Poems must not have been submitted for or won any other poetry competition at time of submission. Poems may be submitted for other competitions after our closing date, but entrants must withdraw their poem from our competition in the event of being shortlisted for another prize.

• Entry fee: £7 for first poem, £5 for subsequent poems in a single submission.

• Do not put your name or any other form of identification on your poem. All poems are judged anonymously.

• Our judge will read all qualifying entries.

• No person may win more than one cash prize.

• No changes may be made to a poem once it has been submitted.

• The decision of the judge is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

• Winchester Poetry Festival Trustees, employees or associates, or members of their families, may not enter.

• We will contact the longlist in September 2026. The result will be announced live as part of Winchester Poetry Day on Sat Oct 10th. All longlisted poets will be invited to read.

• All longlisted poems will feature in a printed competition anthology.

• Travel expenses to read at the prize-giving are not covered.

• Your entry into the competition indicates acceptance of these rules.

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