The Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year 2026 is open for entries.
Submission Guidelines
- Open to writers 18+
- The poem or poem sequence may be on any subject and in any style
- Must not exceed 60 lines in length
- Original, unpublished work
Judges: Luigi Marchini (Chair, SaveAs Writers Group), Lucy Crispin (Winner, Poet of the Year 2025), Gillian Laker (Writer and Poet of the Year 2013)
Entry fee: £5
Prizes:
- The Winner will be named Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year and receive £300 (sponsored by Prof Geralyn Pinto)
- £150 will be awarded for second place
- £75 for the third place (sponsored by Posillipo Restaurant, Canterbury)
Deadline: Monday 1st June 2026
Please note: This is an external competition; all details and all submissions are on their website. Click here.